NOMA Celebrates 50 Years by Recognizing Founders Including William M. Brown Jr., AIA

November 4, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

NOMA Celebrates 50 Years by Recognizing Founders Including William M. Brown, Jr., AIA

Twelve African-American architects from different parts of the country met, some for the first time, during the AIA National Convention in Detroit in 1971. What these professionals recognized was the desperate need for an organization dedicated to the development and advancement of minority architects. These architects wanted minority design professionals to work together to fight discriminatory policies that limit or bar minority architects from participating in design and construction programs. One of these great leaders was New Jersey’s William M. Brown, Jr. AIA, first African American President of AIA New Jersey and of AIA Newark and Suburban.

William M. Brown, Jr., affectionately called “Bill,” was born and raised in the City of Newark, NJ. He attended Newark Public Schools, South Street School and Franklin Ave Schools before attending Barringer High School. Bill graduated from Howard University in 1952, with a Bachelor of Architecture/Construction degree.

He joined forces with his colleague Reginald C. Hale, also a Howard University School of Architecture graduate, to open the first African-American architectural firm in the City of Newark, NJ, Brown and Hale Architects, in 1962. Along with a long list of accomplishments, William M. Brown Jr. became the first African-American President of the Newark and Suburban Architects in 1973.

AIA New Jersey extends congraulations to NOMA and gratitude for sharing the legacy of one of AIA New Jersey’s most regognized leaders, William M. Brown, Jr., AIA. Read Mr. Brown’s full bio on NOMA’s pages, here.

By Stacey Ruhle Kliesch, AIA, AIA NJ Advocacy Consultant | Posted in AIA Newark and Suburban, Diversity | Tagged: #Founders, #NOMANJ, NOMA, WIlliamMBrownJrAIA | Comments (0)

Back to Blog

NOMA Celebrates 50 Years by Recognizing Founders Including William M. Brown Jr., AIA

NOMA Celebrates 50 Years by Recognizing Founders Including William M. Brown, Jr., AIA

Categories

Archives