Black History Month: Black Brilliance in Architecture

If you are anything like me, then you’ll appreciate the rabbit-hole one goes down in the name of educating yourself. I began searching for Black interior designers in the United States and ended up on fireclaytitle.com reading an article called 10 Pioneers of Black American Architecture and Design by Ted Ryan. I was intrigued by the title since my daughter is really interested in pursuing a degree in architecture and I wanted to share this with her to show the trailblazers in American history.

Here are a few quick facts about Black architects in American history that I took away from the article:

• Black architects make up only ~2% of licensed architects in the U.S.
• Of 119,000+ architects in the U.S., only 593 are Black women.
• Today there are 10x as many Black women architects as there were just three decades ago.
• Robert Robinson Taylor was the first accredited Black architect in the United States, graduating from MIT in 1892.
• Beverly Lorraine Greene became America’s first licensed Black female architect in 1942.
• Paul Revere Williams, the first licensed Black architect in California, designed homes for Frank Sinatra and Lucille Ball.
• Norma Merrick Sklarek, the first Black female architect licensed in New York, is best known for her work on Terminal One at Los Angeles International Airport.
• Moses McKissack III and Calvin Lunsford McKissack founded the first Black-owned architectural firm in the U.S.
• Leatrice Buchanan McKissack became the first female owner of a Black-owned construction company in the US.
• Harold Curtis Brown was among the first Black and Gay American interior designers, designing the interior of Central Park South’s Hotel Navarro.

The field of architecture and design has historically been dominated by white males, but Black architects and designers have made significant contributions despite facing systemic barriers. These pioneers have not only shaped physical landscapes but also influenced perceptions and challenged authority. While progress has been slow, initiatives like the Diversity Advancement Scholarship for Black Women in Architecture aim to amplify Black voices in the industry.

Robert Robinson Taylor, the first accredited Black architect in the U.S., paved the way for others like Beverly Loraine Greene, America’s first licensed Black female architect, and Paul Revere Williams, known for iconic California landmarks. Norma Merrick Sklarek, often called “the Rosa Parks of architecture,” broke barriers in New York and Los Angeles.

The McKissack brothers established the first Black-owned architectural firm in the U.S., with Leatrice Buchanan McKissack becoming the first female owner after her husband’s passing. Harold Curtis Brown was among the first Black interior designers, while modern figures like Sheila Bridges and Pascale Sablan continue to push boundaries in their respective fields.

Tiara Hughes founded FIRST 500 to document the achievements of licensed African-American women architects and inspire future generations. These trailblazers demonstrate the importance of diversity in design, as architecture shapes the world we inhabit, and an inclusive industry fosters a more equitable society.

Which of the histories above do you most resonate with? Do other Black trailblazers come to mind? Let me know in the comments.

Reference: 10 Pioneers of Black American Architecture and Design, Ted Ryan