On the Joy of being an Architect Again

In the fall of 2018, I attended the first session of a mentoring opportunity for high school students interested in architecture. The program is meant for minority students with mentors who are people of color.

During that first meeting I learned that in the Twin Cities 20 years ago, there had been over 20 registered minority architects in the profession. There are now just 18. Why the number loss? The reaction of a few of these minority professionals: start this mentoring group.

I sat in the room, awed at having the privilege to sit with other registered Architects, people of color, who were volunteering their time for a worthy cause, and who did fantastic work in their careers. It made me proud again to be an architect. Many of them were proud of the work they were doing in different parts of the Cities, and celebrating the positive impact they were having on their communities.

Impact. The reason why I became an architect in the first place. That is the why. We have a tendency to forget that as we get enamored with the money and the recognition. But let’s talk more. Because I believe this generation is returning to that desire. To make an impact.

The mentoring experience lasted for the fall semester and I got to meet and work with some great kids and fantastic mentors. I hope it becomes an annual event, a place and a way that I could maybe make some impact.