National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) has concluded the sixth edition of its NOMA Future Faces initiative, which sees young professionals connected with industry summer internships. The 2024 edition saw 25 students and recent graduates take part in a two-month summer fellowship, undertaking design research, project work, and firm mentorship.

The fellowship was open to all members of the National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS) with the purpose to “develop and propel forward the next generation of Black and minority architects who will be designing for the future.” Alongside the practice placement, each fellow also received a $2,450 relocation reimbursement and is eligible to receive a $1,000 licensure stipend once they become a licensed architect.

Meanwhile, the organization also recently oversaw the latest edition of the Historically Black College & University (HBCU) Professional Development Program (PDP), which seeks to support architecture students from HBCUs in securing entry-level positions in firms. The program includes a series of workshops and seminars for students and firms to participate in throughout the year, with monthly events focusing on topics ranging from interviewing tips to salary negotiations, a speed networking workshop, and a career fair.

The program also includes the Prescott Reavis Grant, awarded this year to 12 recipients to support the repayment of student loans, moving expenses, cost of living expenses for interns working in cities away from home, and other expenses that can be associated with the transition from school to the profession.

Taken together, the NFF and HBCU PDP saw 43 young professionals connected with summer internship opportunities and resources.

As part of our Archinect In-Depth: Licensure series, NOMA President Pascale Sablan spoke with Archinect about existing challenges and inequalities facing Black and minority licensure candidates, as well as pathways to reform.

“We are working hard so that the future of architecture reflects the face of this nation,” Sablan said about NOMA’s summer initiatives. “When only two percent of architects identify as Black and 17 percent identify as women, it’s crucial that we make strides to improve these statistics, moving us closer to achieving equal representation in the field.”

“NOMA programs such as NFF and HBCU PDP provide professional experiences through fellowship, mentorship, and networking,” Sablan added. “These impactful initiatives expose, support, and give industry-relevant advantages to young BIPOC designers, who represent our future in the profession.”

You can read more about Sablan’s views on architectural education in our recent feature on inequalities in licensure. Sablan was also included in our roundup of six expert views on the future of architectural licensure, published earlier this week.