Whitney M. Young Jr. Award
The Whitney M. Young Jr. Award is given to an architect or architectural organization that embodies social responsibility and actively addresses a pressing social issue.
For more information on opening and deadline dates, please see the AIA Awards FAQ.
Honoring social responsibility in architecture
Civil rights leader Whitney M. Young Jr. challenged architects to assume their professional responsibility to address pressing social issues. Named in his honor, The Whitney M. Young Jr. Award distinguishes an architect or architectural organization that embodies social responsibility and actively addresses a relevant issue, such as affordable housing, inclusiveness, or universal access.
This social engagement isn’t restricted to architecture—it can be expressed in any area of the nominee’s life or work.
Questions? Email AIA Awards
Below is high-level information about the program criteria to help you determine if you are a good fit for the Whitney M. Young Jr. program. For full criteria and guidelines, please refer to the submission guide in the Resources tab.
Eligibility
The Whitney M. Young Jr. Award is open to architects and architecture-related organizations. To be eligible, nominees must affirm that neither they nor their firm employs unpaid intern architects, including working students (as defined in Section 11.0 of the AIA Rules of the Board).
Members of the AIA Board, Strategic Council, and past AIA National Officers are not eligible to be nominated until three (3) years have passed since their service ended.
Nomination
AIA Members in good standing, members of the AIA Board and Strategic Council, components, and Knowledge Communities may make nominations for the Whitney M. Young Jr, Award.
Nominator responsibilities
If your nominator is an individual, they must affirm that neither they nor their firm employs unpaid intern architects, including working students (as defined in Section 11.0 of the AIA Rules of the Board).
Nominators are required to write a letter of support for the candidate that introduces the submission. Nominators also assist the candidate by acting as a point of contact for the reference writers and providing guidance as needed.
Finalist rollover
Finalists who are not selected may roll over their application materials to the next cycle for consideration in the initial pool of applicants.
Recognition
Recognition for this program typically includes the following elements but may be subject to change. With their selection notification, recipients will receive additional information about this cycle’s recognition benefits.
- Promotional recognition in AIA communication channels.
- Invitation for the recipient or a recipient representative to attend selected Honors & Awards event celebrations, commonly held during the annual AIA Conference on Architecture & Design.
- Elevation to AIA Fellowship, as eligible.
Schedule
For more information on opening and deadline dates, please see AIA Awards FAQ.
- Notification to finalists: Early November 2024
- Notification to recipient: Early December 2024, in alignment with AIA Governance Week
- Public announcement: Early December 2024
Fee: There is no fee for this program.
Submission guide & forms
The 2025 Whitney M. Young Jr. Award Sample Application contains the program's criteria and guidelines and a preview of the fields you will be asked to complete on the submission site.
The DQ checklist includes potential criteria that can result in disqualification. Use it to cross-check your materials before you hit the submit button.
Previous submission examples
Reviewing previous submissions can be helpful as you prepare your materials. To request a copy of a submission not listed here, you can email our archivist.
Finalist information
If you are selected as a finalist by the Advisory Jury, the next stage of the awards process includes a vote by the AIA Board of Directors and Strategic Council (the Jury) at their joint meeting, typically in early December. During their deliberations, the Jury may have questions or request additional information. Finalists are asked to provide contact information and ideally be available on the day of the vote to respond to any requests.
Past winners
2024 Douglas Ito, FAIA
2022 RIDING THE VORTEX
2021 Pascale Sablan, FAIA
2020 Gabrielle Bullock, FAIA
2019 Karen L. Braitmayer, FAIA
2018 Tamara Eagle Bull, FAIA
2017 Detroit Collaborative Design Center
2016 R. Steven Lewis, FAIA
2015 Auburn University Rural Studio
2014 Ivenue Love-Stanley, FAIA
2013 Harvey B. Gantt, FAIA
2012 Mortimer M. Marshall Jr., FAIA
2011 Sharon Egretta Sutton, FAIA
2010 J. Benjamin Vargas, FAIA
2009 Clyde Porter, FAIA
2008 Norma Sklarek, FAIA
2007 National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA)
2006 Theodore C. Landsmark, Assoc. AIA
2005 Stanford Britt, FAIA
2004 Terrance J. Brown, FAIA
2003 Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA)
2002 Robert P. Madison, FAIA
2001 Cecil A. Alexander, FAIA
2000 Louis L. Weller, FAIA
1999 Charles McAfee, FAIA
1998 Leon Bridges, FAIA
1997 Alan Y. Taniguchi, FAIA
1996 John L. Wilson, FAIA
1995 William J. Stanley, III, FAIA
1994 Ki Suh Park, FAIA
1993 David Castro-Blanco, FAIA
1992 Curtis J. Moody, FAIA
1991 Robert Kennard, FAIA
1990 Harry G. Robinson III, FAIA
1989 John H. Spencer, FAIA
1988 Habitat for Humanity
1987 J. Max Bond Jr., FAIA
1986 The Rev. Richard McClure Prosse*
1985 Milton V. Bergstedt, AIA
1984 John Louis Wilson, FAIA
1983 Howard Hamilton Mackey Sr., FAIA
1982 John S. Chase, FAIA
1981 Robert T. Coles, FAIA
1980 Leroy M. Campbell*
1976 Wendell J. Campbell, FAIA
1975 Van B. Bruner Jr., FAIA
1974 Stephen Cram*
1973 Architects Workshop of Philadelphia
1972 Robert J. Nash, FAIA
* honored posthumously
Contact us for information on prior years' winners.
Bryan C. Lee Jr., NOMA, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, is a transformative architect, educator, and activist whose career has redefined the role of design in fostering social and spatial justice. As the founder
