On October 16th, Parsons SCE welcomed the American Institute of Architects and the National Organization of Minority Architects for the opening of the 47th NOMA Conference. Hosted in the iconic setting of Alvin Johnson/J.M. Kaplan Hall where Dr. Martin Luther King gave a speech in 1964, the event opened up a series of lectures, seminars, and tours in Brooklyn, Harlem and Lower Manhattan.

This year’s theme, “Believe the Hype: A Global Collective of Industry Change Agents,” attracted more than 1,000 attendees on the first conference day, with more than 400 guests coming to Parsons for J. Max Bond Jr. Lecture. Established in 2010, this annual design talk in memory of J. Max Bond, Jr. addresses equity, inclusive design, communities and global cultures.

The keynote lecture was delivered by Zena Howard, FAIA, LEED AP, Perkins & Will Managing Director, whose architectural practice focuses on community-engaged urban design practices. Her projects seek architectural remedy for communities of color damaged by urban renewal projects of recent decades. The welcome address was given by Mark Gardner, Director of M.Arch Program, and Obsidian, Parsons student collective.

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