PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

As the 2026–2028 President of the Washington, DC Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (DCNOMA), I would like to personally thank you for your interest in our organization and invite you to be part of a chapter grounded in history, purpose, and forward momentum. I step into this role with deep gratitude and humility, mindful of the responsibility—and opportunity—of stewarding DCNOMA at a pivotal moment in its legacy.

Founded in 1971, DCNOMA is approaching a historic 55-year anniversary. For more than five decades, this chapter has existed because of the vision, perseverance, and collective action of those who believed in the power of representation, advocacy, and excellence in the built environment. This milestone calls us to be intentional: to document and celebrate our history, honor those who came before us, and ground our work in purpose as we move forward.

I would like to begin by sincerely thanking Morina Peterson, our Immediate Past President, for her leadership, dedication, and service to this chapter. Her stewardship helped guide DCNOMA through growth and transition, and I am grateful to build upon the foundation she has laid.

I am also honored to serve alongside an exceptional Executive Board whose leadership, expertise, and commitment will help guide DCNOMA in the year ahead. This leadership team—along with our committee chairs—reflects the depth, diversity, and shared responsibility required to sustain a strong chapter. Together, we are committed to clarity, collaboration, and accountability, knowing that enduring organizations are built on strong systems, engaged members, and collective leadership.

DCNOMA’s work has always been rooted in both advocacy and action. From early outreach and mentorship efforts to initiatives such as Project Pipeline, professional development programming, licensure support, and culturally relevant community engagement, our chapter has served as a vital bridge between the profession and the communities we design for. In recent years, DCNOMA has experienced renewed growth—strengthening partnerships, expanding programming, and elevating the visibility of minority architects, designers, and firms across the region.

Washington, DC is a city shaped by policy, culture, and design. Yet minority architects continue to face systemic barriers—from inequitable procurement pathways and limited access to capital, to underrepresentation in large-scale development and decision-making spaces. DCNOMA will continue to be a chapter that not only designs, but advocates—ensuring our members are present, informed, and influential in conversations that shape our city and our profession.

As we look ahead, our focus will be intentional and people-centered. We will continue to strengthen partnerships aligned with our mission; invest in students, emerging professionals, and firm leaders at every stage; and use our 55-year anniversary as a moment to preserve our collective history while recommitting to purpose-driven leadership. Committees will remain the backbone of this work, and broad member engagement will be essential to our shared success.

DCNOMA has always been more than a professional organization. It has been a response to exclusion, a place of collective strength, and a platform for equity in action. I am honored to steward this chapter at such a meaningful moment in its history, and I look forward to working alongside you as we honor our past and shape a more intentional, inclusive, and impactful future together.

Together, we move forward.