Kimberly Nicole Dowdell, AIA, NOMAC, becomes first Black woman to serve as AIA president

HOK principal Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, NOMAC, was inaugurated as the 2024 AIA president December 15 in Washington, DC. As the 100th person to hold the office, Dowdell represents two key firsts for an AIA president: She’s the first Black woman and the first Millennial to hold the top office. 

“I stand on the shoulders of giants, so I thank all of those who have come before me, from president #1 to #99,” said Dowdell to those those inside the InterContinental Wharf ballroom and to those watching on a LinkedIn livestream.

Dowdell shared how moments from her childhood, like meeting her grandmother Nina Dowdell’s friend Rosa Parks and watching buildings in her native Detroit being shuttered and demolished, inspired her to be a force of change, which led to her becoming an architect.

“I began to think that if I could play a role in revitalizing buildings, like the Hudson’s Department Store on Woodward Avenue or the Old City Hall,” recalled Dowdell, who once wanted to become a doctor, “then my purpose would become the healing of my city.”

Dowdell gave nod to Paul Revere Williams, FAIA, the first Black person to become an AIA member, HOK co-founder and former AIA president George Kassabaum, FAIA, and her current HOK colleagues, along with former AIA presidents Emily Grandstaff-Rice, FAIA, and Jane Frederick, FAIA, as influences who inspired her AIA leadership. 

More in ’24: Money, members, and mission 

Dowdell pledges to treat AIA and its members like valued clients.

“My instincts tell me that the AIA must do more to elevate, support, and propel architects into a new evolution of practice for the betterment of our society. In fact, my presidential promise to you is more,” said Dowdell.

The three #Morein24 pillars on which Dowdell plans to focus efforts are more money for architectural professionals and value for industry clients, more members for AIA, and more mission for the profession to create a more sustainable and equitable built environment centered on design excellence and improving people's lives.

Dowdell sees her purpose as AIA president to help AIA realize a stronger future.

“I see a future where architects across the globe share a profound sense of responsibility for the stewardship of our natural resources. I see a future where architects are celebrated for helping our civic leaders solve some of our most challenging issues. I see a future where the population of architects more proportionately reflects the communities that we serve…where our zip codes do not determine our life expectancy…and where everyday people have a better understanding of what architects do to build a better world,” said Dowdell.

“As your 100th President, I intend to stand up. I will stand up for the architect. I will stand up for the value that we collectively create. I will stand up for the equitable and sustainable world to which we will uniquely contribute,” said Dowdell. “And I already know… you will stand with me.”