A+ Session: Lessons Learned from Whitney Young

Part of the AIA Conference on Architecture 2018, Architect Live took place in booth #1739 as a way for conference attendees to hear from industry leaders on a variety of topics, hosted by Ned Cramer, editor-in-chief of ARCHITECT Magazine.

The AIANY Diversity and Inclusion Committee’s past co-chair Venesa Alicea and current co-chair Danei Cesario were selected to present their recent initiatives. Both architects/activists presented “A+ Session: Lessons Learned from Whitney Young” and discussed their past, present and future answers to Whitney M Young Jr’s 1968 call to action. In the spirit of Young, this session urged architects to lead their firms toward taking decisive steps that make diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments non-negotiable. To integrate EDI best practices throughout academia, practice and the professional of Architecture, Alicea and Cesario discussed their individual and joint efforts, including forthcoming Next Gen Arch research, Design Justice Summit, and A Call to ACTivism exhibition.

In the spirit of Whitney M. Young Jr., this session urges architects to lead their firms toward taking decisive steps that make diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments non-negotiable.

Speakers:
Venesa Alicea, AIA, NOMA, associate, Dattner Architects, former co-chair AIANY Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Danei Cesario, AIA, NCARB, NOMA, associate, Array Architects, current co-chair of AIANY Diversity & Inclusion Committee