The BSA’s Race and Architecture series kicked off in July with an engaging town hall featuring a panel of Black architects. Following the town hall, the BSA introduced a new visual identity for the series, created by a diverse group of talented teenage graphic designers in partnership with Artists for Humanity.

The new visual identity reflects the diversity of voices participating in the series while highlighting the hope for full diversity and representation in the architecture profession. The iterative process based on studio critiques circled around ideas of unity, leveling the playing field, and encouraging discourse.

The BSA continued its Race and Architecture series on August 25 with a conversation with M. David Lee FAIA that furthered the discussion on barriers to equity and inclusion within the industry.

The session was moderated by BSA Vice-President and President-Elect Greg Minott AIA of DREAM Collaborative. Lee offered perspective on the multi-layered issues of diversity, equity, inclusion and access in architecture. The two architects discussed challenges and opportunities for meaningful change from policy, to pipeline, to architecture firms, to the BSA and the AIA.

Lee reiterated the need for heightened diversity in the profession, particularly in leadership and decision-making roles. He encouraged architects to embrace opportunities to change the paradigm and introduce new perspectives into their work.

The August discussion focused on sharing the knowledge and experience of minority architects and encouraged architects of all races to listen and learn from their lived experiences. These conversations are already building the foundation and platform for continued engagement and action across the BSA. This includes the recent release of an Equity in Practice Resource Guide that offers shared information for architects and architecture firms to help create a more equitable profession.

The BSA’s next Race and Architecture session will take place on Tuesday, September 22 at 12:00 PM and will be a panel conversation about social and economic justice and policies. The panel will be led by Ted Landsmark, professor and director of the Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy in the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Northeastern University. Landsmark is a civil rights leader and community advocate whose work in the Boston area and beyond addresses the intersection of racial justice with architecture, design, and urban planning.