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Perspectives

Claiming Open Spaces

By Michael Bryan II

"Claiming Open Spaces" unearths the hidden stories of urban parks in African American communities—places of cultural identity, expression, and unexpected struggle. Through the voices of community members and the lens of history, Austin Allen reveals both the beauty and the battles behind spaces like Franklin Park. But what happens when these cherished places are threatened by powerful interests?

Perspectives

First of Her Kind: The Trailblazing Life of Beverly Lorraine Greene

By R. Kofi Bempong

Beverly Lorraine Greene, the first African American woman licensed as an architect in the U.S., broke barriers in a field dominated by exclusion. From Chicago to Paris, her groundbreaking work on projects like UNESCO Headquarters and Stuyvesant Town paved the way for future generations.

Perspectives

The Rosa Parks of Architecture: Norma Merrick Sklarek

By R. Kofi Bempong

Explore the inspiring journey of Norma Merrick Sklarek, the 'Rosa Parks of architecture,' in this compelling narrative. From her early days in Harlem to becoming the first African American woman licensed as an architect in New York, Sklarek's story is one of resilience and brilliance.

Perspectives

Architect to The Stars: Paul R. Williams

By R. Kofi Bempong

Discover Paul R. Williams, a trailblazing African American architect who reshaped American design. From the LAX Theme Building to celebrity homes, Williams' over 3,000 works blend modernism with Hollywood Regency.

Feature

John Louis Wilson Jr.

There are many aspects of 20th-century American urban development and architectural practice embedded in the history of John Louis Wilson, Jr. The first Black graduate of Columbia’s school of architecture in 1928, Wilson is best known for working on the...

Nexus Podcast

The Nexus X Black in Design

Season 2, Episode 7: The Nexus goes live with Black in Design 2021: Black Matter! We reflect on two panels held on October 9th with attendees of the Black in Design conference.

Nexus Podcast

Tiara Hughes

Season 2, Episode 4: Tiara Hughes calls for equity across the architecture community, with an emphasis on increasing initiatives that focus on education and mentorship.

Nexus Podcast

Justin Garrett Moore

Season 2, Episode 2: Justin Garrett Moore shares the history of Urban Patch and the importance of expanding the archive of Architectural history to include marginalized voices.

In The News

The African American Design Nexus’ Harlem StoryMap traces the neighborhood’s Black-designed places

Sala Elise Patterson interviews the AADN’s Thandi Nyambose on the meaning behind the Harlem StoryMap.

Nexus Podcast

Isabel Strauss

Season 1, Episode 7: Isabel Strauss, a current GSD student, discusses her thesis, which takes the shape of a Request for Proposals to address paths to reparations for Black communities in Chicago's South Side.