Letters to Ms. 1000: Paving the Way for Black Women in Architecture

How can personal narratives and letters to future generations dismantle systemic barriers and pave the way for the thousandth Black female architect?

In this special episode of Practice Disrupted, host Evelyn Lee steps back and hands the moderation reins to Christian Joosse, editor, co-author, and curator of Letters to Ms. 1000. This conversation marks the first of a four-part series exploring the powerful collection of letters written to and by Black women in architecture. Christian sits down with three esteemed contributors, Zena Howard, Dominique Hawkins, and Nakita Reed, to discuss their journeys, the realities of navigating a white-male-dominated profession, and the critical importance of representation.

The panel reflects on the inspiration behind their letters, sharing who they wrote to, from their younger selves grappling with identity and invisibility to future students following their own unyielding curiosity. They discuss the overwhelming success of the book, which has won multiple independent publishing awards under Christian’s newly founded publishing studio, Paper Vale Studio, serving as a vital time capsule and tool for mid-career mentorship.

The conversation tackles the realities of microaggressions in the workplace, such as being mansplained despite being the expert in the room, and how to approach these challenges with optimism, listening first, and maintaining focus on good work. They draw a sharp distinction between a mentor and an advocate, emphasizing that advocates, often unexpected allies, including white male firm leaders, put their own reputations and names on the line to open doors and provide opportunities.

Finally, the group addresses the persistent stalls in licensure numbers and what firm leaders must put on the table to move professionals across the line. From financial incentives and bonuses to supporting NOMA’s Project Pipeline summer camps and fostering community-engaged design, the guests share actionable strategies to cultivate the next generation of architects and shape a more inclusive profession by 2040.

"Curiosity is the number one ingredient for design. It surpasses talent in my opinion." - Zina Howard.

This episode serves as a powerful reminder that increasing diversity is not a passing trend, but the core driver of design excellence. By sharing their stories, demanding institutional support for licensure, and actively advocating for rising talent, these leaders are helping ensure that the thousandth African American woman architect, and every generation after her, finds a welcoming and transformed profession.

Guest:

Christian Joosse, AIA, serves as the Vice President of NOMA Columbus and is the editor, co-author, and curator of Letters to Ms. 1000. She founded her own publishing studio, Paper Vale Studio, to self-publish the book, which has since won a string of independent publishing awards. She moderates this panel discussion highlighting the stories of Black women in architecture.

Zena Howard, FAIA, is a principal and the global cultural and civic practice chair at Perkins and Will. Her visionary work includes culturally significant projects that navigate social issues of equity and justice, such as the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Dominique Hawkins, FAIA, is the founder and managing principal of Preservation Design Partnership in Philadelphia. A pioneer and the first to combine the architecture and historic preservation programs at the University of Pennsylvania, she brings over 30 years of expertise in preservation architecture, planning, and community storytelling.

Nakita Reed, AIA, is an award-winning architect specializing in historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and sustainability, and hosts the podcast Tangible Remnants. Holding degrees from the University of Virginia and the University of Pennsylvania, she is a LEED AP and certified Passive House consultant dedicated to following her curiosity across the built environment.

This episode is especially for you if:

You want to understand the profound impact of representation and the journey behind Letters to Ms. 1000.

You are curious about the critical distinction between mentorship and advocacy in advancing careers.

You want to explore practical strategies for firm leaders to support licensure and cultivate the professional pipeline.

You are looking for insights on how to navigate microaggressions, maintain focus, and lead with optimism in the AEC industry.

You believe that individual storytelling and diverse perspectives are essential for shaping the future of architecture.