Black-Owned Architecture and Design Firms to Work With (Copy)
At the last census, African Americans made up 13% of the total U.S. Population. By contrast, the number of newly licensed architects that are African American has held steady at 3% for the last decade. White architects of both genders tended to advance from a staff role to project architect sooner than architects of color, and the financial burden to enter the profession in the first place was particularly high for black graduates of both genders with a master’s degree—they had the highest average school debt to pay off.
Commercial architecture and design is responsible for the look, feel, and utility of every space you go to when you leave your home, and it is overwhelmingly designed by white people. Commercial architecture and design has the power to create equity in the built environment, but only if the people designing those spaces reflect the populations as a whole.
Despite the systemic obstacles they face, Black-Owned Firms continue to push forth inspiring contributions to the built environment. Take a few minutes to review the work of these designers. If you’re a business owner or real estate investor, consider hiring one of these talented firms for your next commercial project.
This list is not comprehensive of the vibrant community of black architects and designers in the US. For additional resources please visit the Black Artists + Designers Guild the National Organization for Minority Architects, and the National Association for Black Women in Construction (NABWIC).
Curt Moody and Johnathan Moody
Chairman of the Board & President / CEO @ Moody Nolan
Columbus, Ohio
As an African-American in the A&D community, Curtis Moody developed a passion to open doors for minorities in a field with little minority representation. This passion fueled him to start Moody Nolan in 1982, which has grown to be the Nation's largest African American architect and design firm. Lead by a father-son duo Moody Nolan now has offices in eleven different cities across the country. They are strong believers that a diverse design team results in more creativity, and produces designs that better suit the needs of the entire community. It is because of this mindset that they won the 2021 Architect Firm Award from the American Institute of Architects. According to this article, it is the first time in the AIA's 58 years of conducting the awards that a Black-owned architecture firm has won. Moody Nolan continues to make history and open doors for minorities in the A&D community by recruiting at HBCUs, partnering with charities like the Legacy House Project, and providing their diverse team with the tools they need to succeed.
Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason
Founders @ AphroChic
Brooklyn, NY
AphroChic is dedicated to exploring the intersection of modern design and global culture across diverse populations, with a focus on highlighting culture, creativity, design, arts, fashion, and technology within the African American community. AphroChic began in 2007 – the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason. The brand started as a blog before quickly expanding into creative fields such as interior design, product design, fashion, and content creation. The couple has recently launched AphroChic Magazine, bringing all of their talents together in a single platform.
Sandra Madison
CEO @ Robert P Madison International
Cleveland, OH
Sandra Madison is the CEO and chairperson of Robert P Madison International in Cleveland, a firm founded by her uncle-in-law. Sandra now carries on a legacy by striving to make the world a better place for all through design. Today the firm is the largest black female owned architecture firm in the State of Ohio. When Robert P. Madison opened the firm on July 17, 1954 it was the first black owned architecture firm in the State of Ohio and only the tenth in the United States.
Anishka Clarke and Niya Bascom
Founders @ Ishka Designs
Brooklyn, NY
Having worked a decade in finance, both in Jamaica and on Wall Street, Anishka quit finance in early 2006 to pursue her real passion: interior design. Efficiency is an important part of her designs and process, having been heavily influenced by a waste-not upbringing by her Guyanese mom. Niya brings a wealth of talent to Ishka Designs having worked for many years in the film industry on set design and within several art departments. Born in England to Jamaican and Guyanese parents, and raised in New York City, Niya not only brings an interesting worldly style to Ishka Designs but promotes efficiency and clean, modern aesthetics.
Nina Kinoti-Metz
Principal @ Studio Parallel
Brooklyn, NY
Studio Parallel a full service Architecture and Interior Design firm led by Christopher E. Metz, AIA and Nina Kinoti-Metz. Nina Kinoti-Metz was raised in numerous countries in Africa. One of her favorite past times of visiting the open air markets exposed her to the concept of color and pattern which gave rise to a keen interest in painting and birthed her love for art and design. With tenures at some design giants such as FXFOWLE Architects, Clodagh Design and then Dattner Architects, she honed her design skills and quickly worked her way up to project manager while working on many different project types from commercial interiors to high end residential, civic/educational projects to luxury hotels and retail.
Breegan Jane
Principal @ Breegan Jane
Los Angeles, CA
Breegan Jane is an LA Mom and lifestyle blogger. An experienced and accomplished interior designer, Breegan honed her design skills working as creative director and marketing professional for a luxury yacht manufacturer. She staged yachts in-house and traveled internationally for consultations with her Dubai clientele.
Dominique Calhoun
Principal @ Remix Living
Philadelphia, PA
Dominique Calhoun founded Remix Living in 2015. She believes everyone should experience their version of interior luxury based on their needs, lifestyle and budgets. Dominique's personal design style can be summed up as industrial glam mixed with some eclectic elements, but she lives for digging deep into her clients’ design style which most times allow her to think outside the box and get more and more creative with each design project. What Dominique enjoys most about working in design is being able to curate a team of talented women to service a diverse clientele with diverse backgrounds and lifestyles.
Mark Gardner
Principal @ Jaklitsch / Gardner Architects
New York, NY
As Principal, Mark Gardner has led many of the J/GA's design initiatives and works to best understand the role of design as a social practice. Gardner takes a serious interest in the nexus of architecture and art, one of long-standing importance to both his professional practice and to his writings. He is committed to practicing architecture as a socially beneficial art form.
Cristina Casañas-Judd and General Judd
Founders @ Me and General Design
Brooklyn, NY
Real-life couple Cristina Casañas-Judd and General Judd founded the interdisciplinary studio General and Me in 2012. A former Blue Man and Set Director, they both had former careers as individual collaborators in large-scale production ensembles charged with creating mood, personality, and ultimately entertaining. Cristina and General lead a roster of talent from their Brooklyn studio. Known for pushing creative boundaries while building inspiring spaces, they also create bold one-of-a-kind products balancing beauty and functionality.
Anthony Akindele
Founder & Managing Principal @ Nia Architects
Chicago, IL
Anthony is Managing Principal and Founder of Nia Architects. He has over 30 years of experience in design, construction, and management of both new and rehabilitation projects. Mr. Akindele’s expertise covers municipal, commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential buildings.
Valéry Augustin
Founder & Managing Principal @ Nia Architects
Los Angeles, CA
Valéry Augustin is the founding principal of DNA Architecture +Design, Inc. His design experience covers a wide range of project types including museums, airports, art galleries, restaurants, multi-family housing, and private residences. Valéry's work has been exhibited at the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art in North Carolina, the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., and galleries in Los Angeles and Miami.
Ruffin Rhodes, Max Brito, Byron Lastrapes & Adel Shalaby
Principals @ Rhodes + Brito Architects
Orlando, FL
Rhodes+Brito Architects provides clients with the diverse experience essential to today's fast-paced innovative market. The firm was founded by Ruffin Rhodes, AIA LEED AP BD+C and Maximiano (Max) Brito, AIA, based on their desire to start an architectural practice that maintained an excellent balance between great design and effective project management. Byron Lastrapes, AIA, NCARB joined the team shortly after the formation of the company, and became a Principal shortly after. In 2017, Adel Shalaby, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, PMP was named a Principal in the firm. These four outstanding members of the community form the core leadership of Rhodes+Brito.
Danielle Arps
Co-CEO + Head of Design @ Dani Artisan
New York, NY
Known on the NYC tech scene as the interior designer of choice, Danielle has a uniquely eclectic, yet slightly industrial take on design. She has displayed her expertise in the design of high profile start up spaces like SeatGeek, Sailthru, Codecademy, Venmo, Newscred, Contently, Uncharted Play and Gilt. As well as collaborating with General Assembly on their worldwide build out.
Brigette Romanek
Principal @ Romanek Design Studio
Los Angeles, CA
Originally from Chicago, Brigette headed West to fulfill her design dreams. She’s now one of Los Angeles' most sought after Interior Designers. She’s featured in Architectural Digest’s 2019 “AD 100,” which lists their picks for the one hundred top designers in the world. Brigette is proud to lead a team of dedicated designers and professionals, all of whom share her passion for design and excitement for innovation.
Kiyonda Powell
Principal @ Kiyonda Powell Design Studio
Washington, DC
Kiyonda Powell is the principal at her namesake boutique studio based in Washington, DC. With a background in the hospitality industry as well as residential and boutique commercial design, Kiyonda has made an indelible contribution to the design industry for the last 17 years. Throughout her career, Kiyonda has held multiple leadership roles in design and public service. She volunteers on multiple committees for charitable and community organizations throughout the DMV (DC, MD and VA) offering her service, skill and expertise.
President and Chief Executive Officer @ McKissack & McKissack
Washington, DC
During the past 30 years under her leadership, McKissack & McKissack has managed such landmark projects as the new Museum of African-American History and Culture on the National Mall, MGM National Harbor Casino, Navy Pier Centennial Projects in Chicago and served as the architectural firm of record for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, DC. As a licensed professional engineer and registered project management professional, Deryl is part of the fifth generation of her family to work in the design and construction field. McKissack & McKissack is a continuation of the nation’s oldest African-American architectural firm and traces its beginnings to Moses McKissack, a master builder who was also a slave.
Principal @ Smith & Company Architects
Washington, DC
Terry is President and Founder of Smith & Company Architects, having founded Smith & Company in 1999 after working as Managing Principal at a large national AE firm. He served as President of the Houston chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects during the organizations national conference hosted in Houston. As the sole owner of the largest local wholly owned African American architectural firm in Houston, Terry has also contributed to the development and awareness of the profession to future minority architects and has spoken at elementary schools as well as colleges of architecture including the College of Architecture at Prairie View A&M University, where he was educated and granted his degree. In 2008 his firm was recognized as one of the Houston Minority Business Council’s Emerging Ten, which recognizes companies that make significant contributions to their industry and community.
