Several people have influenced and inspired me in my career. Early on, I had few influences. Growing up, there were no women or African Americans that I knew of doing what I wanted to do.
My cousin was a mechanical engineer designing trains and industrial equipment, but that was as close as I got. My mother’s spirit of ‘go out there and be the first’ was always guiding me, but it was not until much later that I met Anthony Johns, Leon Bridges, Marshal Purnell and Jack Travis, that I began to have real role models. When I discovered Norma Sklarek and Paul Williams and read their stories, it was like I discovered a new world.

I would like to see this group become a strong advocate for our profession by supporting and adding to the sustained growth of minorities in the field of architecture. Bmore NOMA will be a resource to architects in all stages of professional career, especially those looking to enter the profession. As we support professional growth, we will also be a resource to support better living conditions in undeserved communities in our city.

I would travel to Egypt. Africa is the birthplace of humans, and on this continent Egypt has the most preserved ancient examples of early humans’ first examples of creating space. Ingenuity, understanding of climate, and use of materials.