[134] Architecture, And: Growing a Tech Start-up out of an Architecture Firm

How does a desire to make a difference bring visibility to underserved and marginalized students, and future practitioners?

On this episode of Practice Disrupted, we’re incredibly honored to be in conversation with Robert L. Easter, FAIA NOMAC, an AIA National Award winner, recipient of the 2023 Whitney M. Young Jr. Award, whose work broadens diversity, equity, and inclusion within the profession. Robert is the founding Principal of Kelso & Easter, Inc. (KEi) Architects, an award-winning full-service architecture firm passionate about the built environment and how it influences the world in which we live.

We begin the conversation by learning about Robert’s hope for the architectural industry. He shares where he believes there’s room for evolution, and the role his parents played in his determination to fight for, support, and uplift diverse communities. 

From there, we learn about Robert’s response to winning the 2023 Whitney M. Young Jr. Award, and Robert’s path to becoming the 15th president of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). He describes his hand in its evolution, particularly in building relationships with students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Robert also describes the difference between “being rewarded” and “being rewarding” and illustrates some of his most meaningful takeaways and moments from his vast portfolio of work.

“Things are starting to change because you get involved in the fight. And you learn that you’ve got more allies than you think you do. And that there are people who want to help you achieve some of the goals that are important to you. There are a lot of biases I had when I was a young person that have gone away because of this endeavor.” – Robert L. Easter 

To wrap up the episode, Robert shares why having empathy and compassion for the “most important social and cultural issues of our time” allow us to become better problem solvers in our personal and professional lives.  

Tune in next week for the next episode in our Architecture, And series.

Guests:

Robert L. Easter, FAIA NOMAC is an AIA National Award winner, and the recipient of the 2023 Whitney M. Young Jr. Award. Robert began practicing in Baltimore, Maryland where he served as a Project Architect and designer for Ford & Associates, Inc. In 1992, Robert was elected as the fifteenth president of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), as a vigorous advocate for increased minority participation in the public and private sector building industry.

In 2017, Robert was invited to participate in the Dean’s Forum of the AIA’s Large Firm Round Table where he helped create partnerships between firms and the seven historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to advance the hiring and licensing process. In 2020, Robert was elevated to the AIA’s College of Fellows. Robert was also a member of the AIA Virginia Board of Directors and in 2022 was elected as the first African American to serve as the components president. 

Robert recently retired as the chair of the Hampton University Department of Architecture after 15 years, where he adopted the Integrated Path to Architectural Licensing program. His work, both civic and professional, has been recognized in national print media, including NOMANews, the New York Times, Metropolitan Magazine, the Richmond Times Dispatch, the Richmond Free Press, Progressive Architecture Magazine, and Inform Magazine.

Show Links:  
Connect with Robert on LinkedIn
Read AIA’s article about Robert 
Learn more about NOMA
See Robert’s work at KEi

Past Episodes Referenced:
PD #09 Voices from the Future of the Profession
PD #68 AIA Whitney M. Young Jr. Honor Award Winners: RIDING THE VORTEX
PD #79 Increasing Black Women in Architecture