Equity in Architecture Commission

Mission of the Equity in Architecture Commission

At the 2015 AIA National Convention, delegates adopted Resolution 15-1, “Equity in Architecture.” Later ratified by the Board, the resolution was envisioned as a call to action for both women and men to realize the goal of equitable practice to retain talent, advance the architecture profession, and communicate the value of design to society.
The resolution called for the creation of a Commission on Equity in Architecture, comprised of nationally recognized experts from AIA membership, architecture schools, allied non-profit organizations, and elsewhere who have influenced the achievement of equity and diversity in their work.

Goals of the Equity in Architecture Commission

• Develop specific recommendations that will lead to equitable practices.
• Create measurable goals and develop mechanisms for assessing ongoing progress.
• Present a plan of action based on the commission’s recommendations.

Areas of focus

• Education and career development
• Marketing and public relations
• Leadership excellence
• Workplace and studio culture
• Better architecture

Equity in Architecture Commission members

William Bates, FAIA, Vice President of Architects, Eat’n Park Hospitality Group

Jorge Bermudez, President and CEO, Byebrook Group

Jan Blackman, FAIA, Executive Director, AIA Dallas

Gabrielle Bullock, FAIA, NOMA, Principal, Director of Global Diversity, Perkins+Will

Verity Frizzell, AIA, Principal, Feltz & Frizzell Architects, LLC

Linsey Graff, Assoc. AIA, Campus Planner, Ayers Saint Gross Architects

Emily Grandstaff-Rice, FAIA, chair, Senior Associate, Arrowstreet Inc.

Francis Murdock Pitts, FAIA, President, Architecture+

Elizabeth Chu Richter, FAIA, Principal, Richter Architects

Ikhlas Soubani, PhD, Assoc. AIA, Dan/Professor, Prairie View A&M University School of Architecture

Tania Salgado, AIA, Principal, Handprint Architecture

Kate Schwennsen, FAIA, Chair and Professor, School of Architecture, Clemson University

Rosa Sheng, AIA, Senior Associate, Bohlin Cywinski Jackson

Steven Spurlock, FAIA, Principal, Quinn Evans Architects- DC

Lowell Tacker, AIA, Principal, LPA Inc

Dr. Gordon White, MD

Dr. Shirley Davis, PhD, President, SDS Global Enterprises, Inc.

Guest speakers

Alexis Terry, Senior Director, Diversity & Inclusion, ASAE

Candi Castleberry Singleton, Founder, Dignity & Respect, Inc.