Today we’d like to introduce you to NOMA Central Texas
NOMA, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The Central Texas chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) was established in 2020. Amid the social justice movement, it was clear that there was a missing voice for minority architects and allied professionals in Central Texas. A steering committee was formed by architects and designers in Austin and San Antonio to bring a NOMA chapter to Central Texas.
NOMA, the national organization, was founded in 1971 by twelve Black architects. Texas is home to two other chapters: DFW NOMA and Houston NOMA. Our chapter’s mission is to “sustain the legacy of NOMA’s founding members by deepening the visibility, support of, and solidarity of underrepresented people in the field of architecture and beyond.”
Over the years we have developed key programming including Project Pipeline, a NOMA national initiative that introduces middle and high school students to the impact of design and advocacy in architecture. Our Empower Design Symposium, which blossomed from our Empower Speaker Series, is a full-day event where our vibrant community comes together to share insights, research, and thought leadership on a theme that aligns with our mission. We’re also committed to supporting our student chapters. We provide scholarships, professional development, and funding for student events while helping members attend the National NOMA Conference.
This year marks the fifth anniversary of our chapter. We are proud of our progress and excited about the future!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We are very fortunate to have such passionate members dedicated to advancing our mission, but we are all volunteering our time. As a non-profit organization, we rely on the support of our industry partners to sustain our programs. When we first started, there was great enthusiasm around our addition to the community. However, each year brings new challenges in meeting our fundraising goals. We work hard to implement impactful programs for our members, but this would not be possible without the generosity of our sponsors. I hope we can connect with more shared-purpose partners as we continue to grow.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
A few initiatives that we are proud of are our Project Pipeline summer camp, Empower Design Symposium, and our Black Resilience Bike Tour.
Project Pipeline, a NOMA national initiative, introduces young students to the impact of design and advocacy in architecture. It empowers students to explore architecture fundamentals and the societal influence of design on neighborhoods. Over the past four years, NOMA Central Texas has provided scholarships to select participants pursuing design-related studies. Last year we proudly reached 76 students in 3 cities, Austin, San Antonio, and the lower Rio Grande Valley.
The Empower Design Symposium is a full-day event where our vibrant NOMA community comes together to share insights, research, and thought leadership on a theme that aligns with our mission: to amplify the visibility, support, and solidarity of underrepresented individuals in architecture and related fields. The symposium aims to feature presentations from members across Texas and serve as a collaborative platform, to unite and celebrate diversity in design and architecture. Before it was a day-long event, we started with an Empower Speaker Series where we provide a platform for one speaker a year through a virtual lecture series. It’s a testament to the interest of our members that we were able to expand from one speaker a year to about seven speakers in one day.
In 2024, in collaboration with the Guide to Austin Architecture, we launched the Black Resilience Bike Tour to highlight Austin’s architectural history. The 1928 Austin Master Plan forced the relocation of thousands of Black citizens to East Austin, where they faced flooding, substandard housing, and poor access to schools and public services. Despite these structural challenges, Austin’s Black community continued to thrive, as evidenced by historical places like Huston-Tillotson University, Downs Field, and Wesley United Methodist Church. Particularly inspiring are the works of Donna Carter, who is the first licensed Black female architect in Austin, as well as John S. Chase—the first licensed Black architect in the American South—who left an impressive architectural legacy in homes and churches across East Austin.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Enthusiasm for the organization’s mission. NOMA of Central Texas aims to serve as a thought leader for our peer organizations, sharing knowledge, amplifying and expanding efforts, and identifying gaps in addressing racial inequality within the architecture field.
Pricing:
- Licensed Professional: $285
- Allied Professional: $285
- Associate (3+ yrs): $210
- Emerging Professional (0-3 yrs): $175
- Student: $55
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nomacentraltx.org/
- Instagram: noma_centraltx
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nomaofcentraltexas/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nomaofcentraltexas3920
Image Credits
Patrick Wong, Miguel Cantu, Willie Cartlidge
