HISTORY BLACK AM I
“IF THERE IS NO STRUGGLE, THERE IS NO PROGRESS.”
— FREDERICK DOUGLASS
NAME
Leah Underwood
Atlanta - Multi Family | Architect I | 6 Months
BIRTHPLACE
Birmingham, Alabama
FUN FACT
I wanted to be a nun when I was in highschool but sadly I’m probably too old now.
INTERESTS
I love reading. Currently I am reading about biophilic design, transaction, and fandom.
FAVORITE BUILDING
Falling Water - Mill Run, Pennsylvania
FAVORITE QUOTE
“What but design of darkness to appall? - If design govern in a thing so small”
— Robert FrostINSPIRATION
Being black means everything. It is a revolution. It is poetry in dynamism. It is lyricism in intrique. It is bold. It is subdued. A web - simple, natural, but strong and unique. There is no way of describing it because it is literally everything. My inpiration comes from being black but also I am inspired by the character of people I am around. It is one thing to have aptitude in architecture but first and foremost you must understand that architecture is a social science and who we are as people inform what we do more than we realize.
“NEVER BE LIMITED BY OTHER PEOPLE’S LIMITED IMAGINATIONS.”
— DR. MAE JEMISON
NAME
Paris Johnson
Charlotte - CA | Construction Admin II | 10 Months
BIRTHPLACE
Washington, D.C.
FUN FACT
I was home-schooled for a while, which allowed me to be able to visit all 50 states before 16 years old.
INTERESTS
I love sports, particularly basketball (Go Knicks!). I also love baking, movie soundtracks, concerts, playing board games with my 4 year old & visiting model homes.
FAVORITE BUILDING
The Basilica of the Scred Heart - Paris, France
FAVORITE QUOTE
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.”
— AristotleINSPIRATION
Being black means being resilient. Being black means excelling in spite of anything working against you. I have the opportunity to wake up everyday and I get inspired about the possibilities the day can bring. I know that my aspirations were achieved by many before me. It is proof that anything is possible. That alone inspires and encourages me to keep moving forward. I hope to be that proof for someone coming behind me.
LIFE
Paris was fortunate enough to find her love of architecture very early in life…who knew falling through a roof would help her decide what she wanted to be when she grew up! Just like most, Paris started her career on the design and production side of many different project types. However, what was supposed to be a temporary detour to Construction Administration, turned into a new degree and a love for construction management. This side of the industry is what she found to be the most stimulating. There is nothing better than taking a building from paper to real life. Its impactful and rewarding and has allowed Paris to be able learn about each seat at the table.
“HISTORY HAS SHOWN US THAT COURAGE CAN BE CONTAGIOUS, AND HOPE CAN TAKE ON A LIFE OF ITS OWN.”
— MICHELLE OBAMA
NAME
Erin Lyttle
Atlanta - Multi Family | Design Staff II | 1 Years, 7 Months
BIRTHPLACE
Hartford, Connecticut
FUN FACT
I spent all my childhood summers in Jamaica with my grandparents.
INTERESTS
I love music, singing, playing the guitar and playing the piano. I also love to go biking or hiking.
FAVORITE BUILDING
Takahama Cafe - Tottori, Japan
FAVORITE QUOTE
“We are defined by our actions, not our words” — Kielyr
INSPIRATION
Being black is not just the color of my skin but it is also the opportunity to be apart of an enriched and varying culture. I believe that being black is something to celebrate. Everyday is an opportunity to prove oneself to people outside of our culture and show them how amazing and capable we are. I believe the more black people we see pursuing interests or professions outside of our prescribed stereotypes, the more we give hope to the future generations to see what is possible and achievable. Knowledge makes you very powerful and no one can take that away from you.
LIFE
Erin is a queer, first generation American, and is the oldest child. Erin’s father is from the country side of Jamaica, (Junction - St. Elizabeth) while Erin’s mother is from England (Birmingham - Albert St.). Erin likes to credit their eclectic personality and humor to their dad and their creative spark and love of the arts to their mom. Erin has always been interested in how things work, constantly asking "why" and "how." Maybe this inquizitive nature played a bit of a role in their interest in architecture.
“IF THEY DON’T GIVE YOU A SEAT AT THE TABLE, BRING A FOLDING CHAIR.”
— SHIRLEY CHISHOLMNAME
Alia King
Atlanta - Interior Design | Architect I | 3 Years, 5 Months
BIRTHPLACE
Brooklyn, New York
FUN FACT
I am fun...that’s a fact!
INTERESTS
I love traveling, hanging out with family, and engaging in small projects around the house.
FAVORITE BUILDING
The Barcelona Pavilion - Barcelona, Spain
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Your crown has been bought and paid for. Put it on your head and wear it”
— Maya AngelouINSPIRATION
Being black is a soul tie. It means everything. It can not be quantified or explained, but it is one of the things I am most proud of. The heritage, the strength, the culture, the love, the community; it all grounds me and defines who I am. I love it! I say it loud and unapologetically; I am black and I am proud. Regarding architecture, I am inspired by the possibility of creating beautiful spaces for people to inhabit. We as architects are responsible not only for proposing solutions for the built environment but also coming up with beautiful, tasteful, and creative solutions as well. I relish the opportunity to rise to the occasion.
LIFE
Alia King is a Project Architect with 9 years of experience. She is a proud graduate of Southern Polytechnic State University and practiced architecture in an array of typologies from custom residential, municipal, multi family, retail, and interiors. She is a passionate advocate for mentorship and career development which is reflected in her active membership in a number of Dwell committees including Dwellcome, Ascent, and ARE. She is currently studying to pass her last 2 exams for her NCIDQ certification in April and will be preparing for the birth of her first child shortly thereafter in May.
“IT’S THE MAGIC WITHIN EACH OF US THAT GIVES US THE POTENTIAL TO INSPIRE THE WORLD.”
— KOBE BRYANT
NAME
Timothy Alston
Atlanta - Multi Family | Design Staff III | 3 Years, 9 Months
BIRTHPLACE
Würzburg, Germany
FUN FACT
I traveled 202 mph in a car on a closed airport runway.
INTERESTS
Sports, Fitness, Art, Creation, Knowledge, Music, Movies, Finance, Food, Guns, & Cars
FAVORITE BUILDING
The Razor House - La Jolla, California
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Born to be a creator in this world of destruction”
— Timothy Alston
INSPIRATION
Being black means you have a large amount of resiliency. Resiliency that has been built through a life of beautiful struggles. Beautiful struggles that are full of deep rooted pride, love, admiration, and belonging to a unique and connective culture. A unique and connective culture that you are apart of...because you are black. Because I am black, I am inspired by the opportunity to inspire.
LIFE
Timothy’s passion for creating started when he realized that he wanted to pursue a profession that contributed to the world in a positive way. There are only a few professions that try to achieve this ideal on a grand scale and Architecture was one of them. Architecture has been around, in some shape or form, since the beginning of time. Man has always needed basic shelter and protection. Shelters turned into dwellings and then dwellings into buildings. With a desire to have a positive impact on the greatest amount of people possible, Timothy decided early on he wanted to be an Architect. With the world the way that it is now, he always said that he would rather create for this world than attribute to it’s destruction. With over seven years of experience in this field and over 5,000 multi family units to date, Timothy is well on his way towards making that dream a reality.
“IF YOUR DREAMS DON’T SCARE YOU, THEY AREN’T BIG ENOUGH.”
— MUHAMMAD ALI
NAME
Robert Kirland
Atlanta - Retail | Design Staff III | 4 Years, 8 Months
BIRTHPLACE
Lancaster, South Carolina
FUN FACT
I was voted “Best Dancer” in Alumni Superlatives by my college graduating class.
INTERESTS
Art & Self Expression through Music, Cinematography, Dance, and Sports.
FAVORITE BUILDING
Childhood Home
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift...that is why they call it the present.”
— Master OogwayINSPIRATION
Being black means overcoming obstacles, when the obstacles were specifically created for you. It means being undervalued and over critiqued. It’s self expression while representing an entire culture. With that being said, the drive to be better pushes me forward everyday. My biggest desire isn’t to become anything specific, but to un-become everything that does not suit or represent me.
LIFE
“Son, come eat dinner!” his mother would exclaim, with the intent of capturing his attention after hours spent in his room; his own world. As a young impressionable youth, Robert recalls crisp memories of designing and engineering Lego masterpieces while letting his mind wander and creating storylines of depth for each Lego person in his Lego city. It was those moments that he remembers the most, pointing to his earliest footings of who he aspired to be. Robert often romanticized the ideas of finding and / or creating a problem then determining possible solutions. It was those early workings of his childhood that led him to pursue architecture. Though his early days are when his love for architecture took root, it wasn’t until college that he began to really develop his true thoughts and ideologies on architecture.
“A DREAM DOESN’T BECOME REALITY THROUGH MAGIC; IT TAKES SWEAT, DETERMINATION, AND HARD WORK.”
— COLIN POWELL
NAME
Jason Gadson
Atlanta - Multi Family | Prinicpal | 7 Years
BIRTHPLACE
Charleston, South Carolina
FUN FACT
Responding to a bet, I did a 5 minute stand up comedy routine at Atlanta’s Uptown Comedy Corner, winning the crowd by joking about my fingers.
INTERESTS
Shoes, Fashion, Sports, Art, Community Service, and Public Engagement
FAVORITE BUILDING
Casa Malaparte - Naples, Italy
FAVORITE QUOTE
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience and comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
— Martin Luther King Jr.INSPIRATION
Being black means being strong, being heroic. Black is the essence of beauty and it cannot be self-contained. Black is multifacted, rooted in music, spirituality, togetherness, unity, family, and love. I am black and I inspire to be a light for the now generation. Representation and exposure are important. You never know who is watching and who you may inspire.
LIFE
After graduating from The University of Miami (best school in America), Jason moved to Atlanta to begin his journey practicing architecture. This 16-year journey has allowed him the opportunity to work on projects in 40 of the 50 states. Jason has worked on many different project types such as Student Housing, Assisted Living, Mixed-use, High-rise, Single Family, and Military Housing, just to name a few. As he advanced in his career, Jason has turned his attention to teaching and public speaking. Within the last ten years, he has spoken at various high schools and colleges in Georgia, Florida, & New York. Jason loves what he does and he loves the lives he is able to touch with every project. "Architecture can't force people to connect, it can only plan the crossing points, remove barriers, and make the meeting places useful and attractive."
- Denise Scott Brown