by: AIA New York
As much of our country comes together in support of Black Lives Matter, AIANY and the Center for Architecture have voiced their commitment to the dismantling of systemic racism from within the profession. As our statement reads, “An architect offers society specific skills that are not accessible to everyone and is often in a position of privilege; thus it falls on our community to put our hard-won problem-solving skills to work in the struggle for a more just and equitable society. This cannot be done if our profession continues to fail to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.”
To build a foundation for this change, we have gathered numerous anti-racism resources specifically for the architecture community. If you’d like to share feedback or add anything to this list, we’d love to hear from you. Please email membervoices@aiany.org with comments.
Build Equitable Practice
Read NOMA’s Public Statement Regarding Racial Injustice (National Organization of Minority Architects)
Resources on Race and Architecture (The Architectural League of New York)
Read the BlackSpace Manifesto (BlackSpace)
Bryan Lee Jr.: American Cities Were Designed to Oppress (CityLab)
Destiny Thomas: ‘Safe Streets’ Are Not Safe for Black Lives (CityLab)
Sekou Cooke: Blackout — Amplifying the Voices of Blackness Within Architecture (Architectural Record)
Racism is Built into US Cities. Here’s How Architects Can Fight Back (Fast Company)
Dear White Architects, Be B.R.A.V.E, Not Sad. Love, NOMA (Metropolis Magazine)
7 Important Books for Building an Anti-Racist Workplace (Fast Company)
Justice for Black Lives Resources and References (Colloqate)
5 Essential Books to Read on Making Cities Anti-Racist (Curbed)
Schomburg Center Black Liberation Reading List
BPL Anti-Racism Syllabus (Brooklyn Public Library)
Handbook Support Diversity: Good Growth by Design (Mayor of London, Mayor’s Design Advocates, Diversity Sounding Board)
Amplify Black Voices in Design
The Directory of African American Architects
Black Artists + Designers Guild
National Association of Black Women in Construction
Black Interior Designers Network
Cast Your Vote
Vote in the upcoming June 23, 2020 State and Federal primaries! Apply for an absentee ballot here. (Note: Requests for absentee ballots must be made by June 16.)
Support Black Businesses
How to Support Black Owned Businesses in the Design Industry (Business of Home)
Black-Owned Bookstores Across the US
125 Black Owned Businesses to Support Right Now (New York Magazine)
Invest in Changing the Profession
Advocate for Design Justice for Black Lives
Donate to BlackSpace Urbanist Collective
Donate to Beyond the Built Environment
Donate to Black Artists + Designers Guild
Donate to the Black Interior Designers Network
Join the National Association of Black Women in Construction