KIMBERLY DOWDELL, AIA, NOMAC, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C TO SERVE AS AIA’S FIRST BLACK WOMAN
Yesterday, history was made! Yes, Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, NOMAC, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C was inducted as the AIA’s (American Institute of Architects) first Black Woman Millennial President.
Kimberly Dowdell Set to Make History as the AIA’s First Black Woman and Millennial President
From the HOK article on this historic event, listed above:
Can you elaborate on your vision for increasing diversity within the architectural profession, especially in leadership roles?
Architecture has historically not been a diverse profession or seen as accessible to people without privilege. I want to make it more accessible. Gender equity is improving, but racial inequities persist. Of the 120,000 U.S. architects, just over 2,500 are Black—only 1.8%—and less than 600 are Black women, which is not even half of 1%. There are so few Black women in architecture that we all know our number in terms of the sequence in which we were licensed. I was licensed in 2013 and am number 295. I want to leverage my position to highlight the opportunities in architecture while advocating for policy changes to make the profession more accessible and equitable, with a larger ambition of eliminating bias in all its forms.
And, now for her advice on those starting their path to becoming an architect.
What guidance would you offer young architects embarking on their careers, especially those aspiring to leadership roles in organizations like the AIA?
To some extent, being an architect means being able to see the future. That’s a big responsibility. It’s a privilege to address some of society’s most pressing problems. People need the kind of help that architects are uniquely positioned to provide.
My main advice is to embrace what I call the —
‘4 Cs’: Curiosity, Creativity, Courage and Consistency.
Be curious. Always question why things are the way they are.
Be creative. Seek innovative solutions to the challenges you encounter.
Be courageous. It takes bravery to propose solutions and stand by them.
Be consistent. Success comes from showing up and giving your best every single day, regardless of the difficulties.
This approach is integral to solving architectural problems as well as thriving in a leadership role.
Another recent article by AIA Chicago to help you learn what she will strive to accomplish in 2024.
More in ’24: In Conversation with Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, NOMAC
We should also share that we call Kim a friend. We first met at a NOMA Conference in St. Louis a few years ago. From that encounter, it was clear that should was a leader. Well, she volunteered to share her journey to becoming an architect in Becoming an Architect — see below:
ARCHITECT. CONNECTOR. CHANGE AGENT
What is the most / least satisfying part of career as an architect?
The path towards licensure has been the most disappointing and challenging aspect of the profession. I hope the process will improve for future generations of architects because as it stands today, many of my colleagues and I feel that the IDP and ARE are designed to be deterrents to the profession.
The path towards licensure has been the most disappointing and challenging aspect of the profession….
Regardless of where you are in the architectural profession, become involved!