Intersections: Where Diversity, Equity and Design Meet is a Fall 2022 Series at The National Building Museum. It brings together leading Black voices in design, art, and architecture for a series of dynamic discussions about culture, equity and representation through the lens of design. In this episode, we talk to Dr. Mabel Wilson about researching anti-black spaces, the mental toll it can bring and the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers.
In this episode of the podcast, Jonathan Moody, AIA, shares his personal journey and the lessons he learned about the power of possibility. Jonathan learned from his father that success in the field of architecture was attainable, despite the challenges and biases he faced. He reflects on the impact of President Obama's visit to the 2022 AIA convention, the story behind Moody Nolan receiving the AIA Firm Award and the highs and lows of his journey as a college athlete and architecture student. His story serves as an inspiration for anyone seeking to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
Launching September 16th and running through December 14th, Intersections engages nationally recognized Black architects, designers and artists in conversations focused on social justice in the built environment. Through interactive lectures and hands-on workshops, this series is designed to provoke new thinking, spark conversation, enlighten and empower.
Nov 29 LARGE FIRM ROUND TABLE...AT THE INTERSECTION OF EQUITY, ADVOCACY AND INDUSTRY
Dec 14 CORY HENRY...AT THE INTERSECTION OF DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY
Born into a family legacy of architecture, Jonathan grew up hearing his father—a Black architect— speak about discrimination and a lack of diversity in the profession. Nearly two decades later, Jonathan faced similar struggles in higher education while pursuing both architecture and athletics. As a Black athlete, he leveraged football to pursue architecture, an opportunity to test whether architecture was his passion or family inheritance.
Upon arriving at Cornell University, Jonathan was advised that the demands of playing football and completing his B.Arch would not be possible— he could not do both successfully. Jonathan ventured to prove he could overcome adversity and model a new way of being a student-athlete of color. He played football all four years of his eligibility and became Cornell’s Scholar Athlete of the Year. He later won Cornell’s Bronze Alpha Rho Chi Medal, which recognizes graduating architecture students for leadership and service to the future of the profession.
In 2020, Jonathan became CEO of Moody Nolan, championing the firm’s growth and service to the community. Through Jonathan’s leadership, Moody Nolan has expanded to 12 locations nationwide with 250 professional staff. More significant to Jonathan than the firm’s growth, is the firm’s impact on diverse urban communities. Jonathan believes focused efforts in these communities propel the profession toward empowering and uplifting diverse populations.
Through his career, Jonathan’s work is shaped by his commitment to serving the underserved. He regularly mentors at-risk youth and serves on local boards leading community development projects for low income neighborhoods. In all he does, Jonathan strives to create a more just and equitable future for all.
Large Firm Roundtable…at the Intersection of Equity, Advocacy and Industry at the National Building Museum panel discussion on November 29, 2022. Here are my thoughts:
Your JEDI efforts are the best kept secrets. I can list a handful of firms who are promoting, announcing and bragging about the hard work they are doing to be change agents. Tell the world, aka the internets, what you are doing.
Diversity in architectural design is just as important as diversity in staff. Let’s pull from other sources of inspiration other than Europe. There is an entire continent(s) that is rich in culture and style.
Create more opportunities for H1 Visas.
Be more competitive in attracting talent. There are less than 600 licensed Black Woman Architects in this country. How are you going to attract one of them to join your firm? Your odds are .005% out of 120,000 licensed US architects. In your job description, the PM tile must be licensed. Someone like me doesn’t qualify. And the woman who does, have plenty of options. As a large firm, you have more resources than smaller firms. Yet some of your websites don’t reflect diverse leadership.
Obviously there’s more work to be done. As an outsider looking in, I thought I put my perspectives out there.