Here at Archinect, we highlight academic events and lectures that provide insight and access to public programming created by architecture schools. Year after year, these events welcome various leaders and innovators within architecture, design, and its adjacent fields of study. While in-person events are put on hold, the ability to engage and invite a global audience is possible thanks to virtual events outlets. 2021 welcomes an exciting series of talks, panels, and lectures that we've featured in our 2021 Get Lectured series and Archinect's Virtual Event Guide. However, an upcoming lecture series creates an opportunity for a much-needed platform for Black design professionals to share their work, expertise, and initiatives for change.

February is Black History month, and the rise in promoting and highlighting Black excellence across disciplines has increased. 2020 was a clear wake-up call that shook many, especially academic institutions and design groups in the United States. At the same time, design advocates like Lesley Lokko, Wandile Mthiyane, Tiffany Brown, Pascale Sablan, Sharon Egretta Sutton, Curtis Moody, Jonathan Moody, Katherine Williams, Melvin Mitchell, Justin Garrett Moore, Bryan Lee Jr., Mitch McEwen, Walter Hood, Demar Matthews, Kimberly Dowdell, Jason Pugh, and countless others have challenged and questioned architectural pedagogy and practice for years. Their voices and work towards equity, representation, and the deconstruction of systemic racism and social inequality within the profession will continue to ignite change and progress. However, the need for additional voices within these spaces, within institutions, especially Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), is long overdue.

The HBCU Africa Architecture Lecture Series is an ongoing series led by the African Diaspora Nation, HBCU Africa Homecoming, and ArchiAfrika organizations. In collaboration with several HBCUs like Morgan State University, the lecture series will host eight distinguished individuals discussing the benefits and opportunities the HBCU system and the African Continent have with each other. On February 3rd, Morgan State SA+P shared a message on their Instagram presenting the series, its importance, and purpose. 

From February 5th through May 14th, the lecture series will include guests such as Lesley Lokko, James Inedu-George, Amber N. Wiley Ph.D, Mariam Kamara, Kute Blackson, César Freitas, Andrew Chin, and Samia Nkrumah. To learn more about the series and register these events, click here.