Vol. 19, Issue 03 2021
BosNOMA: For a better Boston
The past few years have brought a hyper focus to J.E.D.I., EDI, and DEIB efforts. No matter the abbreviation you use, issues of social justice and equity have always been critical to understanding both our society and our built environment. Although these issues have become buzzwords and may feel like a passing trend as many are only just now acknowledging the reality of inequity that exists in the country, the work is no less real. It is well known that architecture has historically been a white-male-dominated industry that has been slow to change. In his famous speech of 1968, Whitney M. Young accused the AIA of being “most distinguished by your thunderous silence and your complete irrelevance.”1 Just three years later, the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) was formed, and in the 50 years since, strides have been made to increase diversity and bring us closer to equity and parity. However, the work is far from done. BosNOMA (the Boston Chapter of NOMA) holds a critical responsibility in Boston’s design community to further our mission to foster the advancement of equitable practice and minority leadership. 2 With the renewed spotlight, our work has taken on a greater urgency to invest in the next generation through design education, mentorship, and support. With a virtual platform, BosNOMA has expanded membership more than fourfold and continues to grow under the collaborative leadership of the board (Ali Horwitz, president; Gerard Georges, co-chair; Rima Abousleiman, treasurer; Elyse Ayoung, parliamentarian; Julian Phillips, secretary; Ryan Horton, brand ambassador; and Edward “Tony” Ransom, immediate past president and now NE Region vice president).
Above: A sample of BosNOMA’s Minority Report, a curated collection of media highlighting marginalized voices. Graphics created by Ryan Horton.
29
