The National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) is proud to announce the appointment of Bryan C. Lee Jr., NOMA, FAIA, as its new President. Lee, a distinguished architect, educator, and advocate for design justice, assumes leadership of NOMA during a pivotal time for the architecture and design community.

With a career rooted in activism, organizing and equity-focused design, Lee brings a wealth of leadership, organization and design experience to NOMA, in addition to 20 years of NOMA service. Founder and design principal of Colloqate Design, a multidisciplinary design justice practice with offices in New Orleans and Portland, his work has consistently pushed the boundaries of how architecture can empower communities, address systemic inequities, and amplify the voices of those historically underrepresented in the field. Lee was honored with the 2025 AIA Whitney M. Young Jr. Award in December 2024, which distinguishes an architect or architectural organization that embodies social responsibility

As President, Lee seeks to advance NOMA's commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within the built environment. His vision encompasses expanding partnerships with other equity-focused organizations, highlighting NOMA members' achievements and narratives, enhancing support for architecture and design students and educators, and strengthening connections with the communities NOMA serves.

“It is an honor to serve as NOMA’s president and the power it represents, which is to lift others up in every stage of their careers and to speak to the reach and impact of architecture and community,” said Lee. “NOMA’s legacy illustrates the impact any one person can make on the collective while lifting up others with you as you build higher. Our profession holds immense power to shape the physical and social landscapes of our world. Together, we will continue to challenge the status quo, cultivate talent from underrepresented communities, and ensure that design is a tool for justice and transformation.”

20 Years of NOMA Service & Advocacy:

Lee’s NOMA journey began as an architecture student at Ohio State University (OSU), where he helped co-found the first chapter of OSU NOMA. He was a founding member of the New Jersey NOMA chapter when he attended New Jersey Institute of Technology to receive his master of architecture and was also a member of their student chapter. As president of the NOMA Louisiana chapter, Lee was instrumental in bringing the NOMA conference to New Orleans. 

Recognizing the important voice communities play in shaping their respective communities, Lee sought to develop programs and initiatives that reinforce the vital role of exposing youth to the architecture profession. He advanced justice in education and chaired NOMA's Project Pipeline. In 2012, under Lee’s leadership and others, a formal curriculum was established to guide host chapters nationwide. The curriculum covers fundamental concepts in architecture and design, including understanding city and neighborhood dynamics, developing sketching skills, using basic design software, and exploring resources to support students' continued journey in the field. Today, this program has introduced more than 20,000 students to architecture and its potential to address systemic inequities, inspiring the next generation of designers.  

Tiffany Brown, NOMA, MBA, Assoc. AIA, NOMA Executive Director, expressed her support for Bryan’s presidency. “Bryan’s vision and unwavering commitment to advancing equitable practices and policies in architecture are precisely what NOMA needs as we navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead,” said Brown. “He fosters a deep understanding of how architecture can serve as a tool for social change. Bryan's leadership will be instrumental in advancing NOMA's goals in this context."

Architecture as Engagement: 

Lee believes that for every injustice in this world there is an architecture, a plan and a design that has been built to sustain it. At the root of housing, transportation, and economic injustice are remnants of redlining and covenants that continue to extract wealth and enforce segregation. At the root of environmental racism stems an infrastructure that accounts for 39 percent of carbon emissions and demands 40 percent of energy production, driving climate change. At the root of unjust policing is a prison-industrial complex sustained by the design of spaces that strip marginalized people of their dignity and potential, all for profit.

“Architecture has the power to speak the language of the people it serves and we have to be willing to serve those without power,” said Lee. “We can choose to be a profession and organization that slips into the cozy niche assertion that architecture is too large to deal with the small nuanced considerations in our communities yet too small to address the larger systemic issues in our society. Or, through advocacy, policy, design and partnerships, we can choose to motivate and build bridges to the future we want to see.” 

NOMA, committed to building a strong national organization, strong chapters and strong members for the purpose of minimizing the effect of racism in our profession, implemented advocacy committees, including NOMA Educate, NOMA Elevate and NOMA Empower. Lee is adding NOMA Engage as an additional pillar to formalize the advocacy and community design engagement component of the organization and profession. A committee will be announced this spring to advance this agenda. 

Under Lee’s leadership, NOMA will remain steadfast in its mission to empower minority architects and champion the role of design in creating a just and equitable society through programs and allied partnerships. 

NOMA’s 2025-2026 Vice President is Saundra Little, NOMA, FAIA, LEED AP. Lee took over for NOMA 2023-2024 President Pascale Sablan, NOMAC, FAIA, LEED AP, on Jan. 1. 2025.  

NOMA welcomes the following members to the 2025 board:  

• Midwest Regional Vice President: Ashlen V. Williams, NOMA, AIA - I-NOMA 

• Northeast Regional Vice President: Oswaldo Ortega, NOMA, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP - PhilaNOMA 

• West Regional Vice President: Craig Atkinson, NOMA, DBIA, LEED AP - SoCalNOMA 

• Treasurer: Teonna N. Cooksey, NOMA - NYCOBA

• NOMA University Liaisons: NorthEast Region, Joshua Sswebuwufu, NOMA, Assoc. AIA - BosNOMA; Midwest Region, Tianna St. James, NOMA, Assoc. AIA - NOMA Columbus; South Region, Colby Mitchell, NOMA, Assoc. AIA - NOMA Memphis

• Student Representative: Patricia Negrón Meléndez, The Savannah College of Art and Design NOMAS chapter

For more information about NOMA and its initiatives, please visit www.noma.net.

About the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA):  

The National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) was formed over 50 years ago to represent the needs of African American architects. Founded in 1971, the purpose of NOMA was to bolster and provide support for the handful of Black licensed architects around the country. Today, NOMA is a haven for architects of all origins who seek inclusion in the design industry. We continue to advocate for the licensure of African American architects (who account for only two percent of all licensed architects today), as well as those from other underrepresented backgrounds. 

NOMA has 46 professional chapters and 128 student chapters, National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS) — mentored by regional NOMA chapters. NOMA and NOMAS membership is predominantly African-American, with other minority members including Native American, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, East Indian, and Asian, as well as an increasing segment of non-minority members who support NOMA’s mission. NOMA supports its student members by providing mentorship, scholarships, and job opportunities to ensure their successful transition into the profession. www.noma.net

SAVE THE DATE: NOMA’s 2025 annual conference will be held in Kansas City, Missouri, Oct. 8-12, 2025. Call for presenters now open and for more information