SAY IT NOW: Reflecting on the 2025 Boston T-Talks

Panelists at the Debrief panel discussion - Photo by Jason McDonald + Tracy Renet Previlon

“Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak for me.”
— Friedrich Gustav Emil Martin Niemöller (quoted by David M. Lee during the‬‭ Systems roundtable)‬

Written by Joshua L. Ssebuwufu
Northeast University Liaison, NOMA National | Co-Chair, 2025 Boston T-Talks Organizing Committee

On the evening of March 28th, 2025, the Boston Society of Architecture’s space at 290 Congress Street came alive with voices - student voices, practitioner voices, and emerging voices in between - all gathered under one roof for the 2025 Boston T-Talks , organized by BosNOMA under the urgent and evocative theme: SAY IT NOW.

This year’s T-Talks was unlike anything we’ve hosted before. Instead of a stage, we had roundtables . Instead of a fixed script, we had fluid conversations . And instead of passive observation, we designed a format that required active participation .

In a moment where so much around us, from global conflict to national legislation, feels designed to silence or sideline certain voices, we wanted this space to be a reminder: that students, emerging professionals, and architects of all stages have a role to play in shaping the world around us. But we must speak up. And we must say it now.

A Different Kind of Panel

The 2025 Boston T-Talks welcomed around 45 attendees representing NOMAS chapters, local design firms, academic institutions, and professional organizations. What made this gathering special was not only who showed up, but how we designed the experience itself.

Instead of a traditional linear panel format, we introduced a decentralized roundtable discussion structure. Attendees rotated between three roundtable sections - Practice , Agency , and Systems - each focused on a different aspect of how young designers engage the profession and the world. For each table, two panelists and two moderators led open, candid conversations around the specific topic.

Each round lasted 15 minutes , after which attendees would rotate to a new table, ensuring that every voice could be heard and every topic explored. It was dynamic, a little experimental, and surprisingly effective.

Panelists in the roundtable discussions - Photos by Jason McDonald + Tracy Renet Previlon

What We Talked About

The three roundtable themes were crafted intentionally to provoke discussion and reflection:

Practice
Panelists: Danyson Tavares & Agnes Tessner Risser This table explored the many ways designers can shape change through their work, whether through traditional firms, entrepreneurial ventures, or community-rooted design. The conversation invited students to imagine what practice can become, not just what it has been.

Agency
Panelists: Melissa Q. Teng & Shana M. griffin Here, we focused on student power and initiative . The conversation revolved around how students can challenge institutions, shape curriculum, and activate their communities through NOMAS and beyond. One of the most powerful themes to emerge was the reminder that students don’t have to wait to act, they already have the agency they need.

Systems
Panelists: David M. Lee & Estey Masten This section zoomed out to examine the systems and policies that shape our built environment, from zoning and public housing to legislation and planning structures. It encouraged participants to think critically about how architecture operates within broader systems of power, and how to advocate for change within and beyond those systems.

Each section was supported by moderators from the organizing committee and grounded in guiding questions that encouraged direct participation. Rather than a one-directional exchange of wisdom, we created a shared space of learning.

Organizing with Purpose

I had the privilege of co-chairing this event alongside Jayla Tillison, BosNOMA’s current University Liaison. Together, we led a 13-person committee made up of students and emerging professionals from across the Boston design ecosystem:

Joshua L. Ssebuwufu, Jayla Tillison, AnAn Shen, Jason McDonald, Maiya Hannah Samuel, Sierra Gardner, Allston Middleton, Kashka Senat, Lily Saki, Afomia Hunde, Domenica Garcia, Jharitza Cruz Lami, Tracy Previlon

Event’s Organizing Committee - Photos by Jason McDonald + Tracy Renet Previlon

We met for over three months , planning every detail—from panelist invitations and format design to communications and logistics. More than simply dividing tasks, we focused on building ownership. It was important that every member of the team felt a sense of pride in what we were creating.

Perhaps the boldest move we made was choosing to depart from tradition and try the decentralized format. It came with risks, but we believed in our audience—and more importantly, we believed in our mission. The feedback we’ve received so far affirms we were onto something.

Reflections and Takeaways

One of the clearest takeaways from the event was the hunger for connection— authentic, direct, and meaningful engagement across academic and professional lines. One attendee noted how “refreshing” it was to be able to look panelists in the eye, speak freely, and not feel like the conversation was being filtered through a mic on a stage.

A memorable quote that lingered in many people’s minds came from David M. Lee , who reminded us of the famous words of Friedrich Niemöller —a call to speak out before it’s too late. It captured the spirit of the event perfectly: If we don’t speak up now, we may not have the chance later.

Another insight that surfaced was time. Nearly everyone wished the discussions had been longer—a note we’ve definitely taken to heart as we look ahead to the next T-Talks.

Why SAY IT NOW?

The theme “ SAY IT NOW ” was not just a prompt—it was a provocation. In a time when policies, narratives, and systems increasingly threaten the well-being and futures of marginalized communities, we wanted to remind students and professionals alike that silence is not an option.

Whether it’s speaking out on injustice in design education, questioning the structures that limit access to affordable housing, or simply asking better questions in studio critiques, the ability to speak up is an act of power. But we have to practice it. We have to build the muscle.

This event gave us a space to do just that.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 Boston T-Talks is just the beginning of a larger commitment from BosNOMA to build spaces of dialogue, empowerment, and collaboration . As I step more fully into my role as Northeast University Liaison with NOMA National, events like these are essential in fulfilling our charge—to connect students across the region, strengthen our NOMAS chapters, and build a pipeline of leadership that stretches from the classroom to the profession.

Photos by Jason McDonald + Tracy Renet Previlon

We’re already planning the next installment of T-Talks , which will return in 2026. With even more time for dialogue, more voices at the table, and lessons learned from this year’s success, we’re excited to see how the event can evolve.