Dr. Richard K. Dozier, AIA, NOMA

NOMA Resolution – December 3, 2021

WHEREAS, Dr. Richard K. Dozier served honorably as a chief petty officer in the U S Navy; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Dozier’s interest in Architecture was peaked while attending the Los Angeles
Technical College; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Dozier was recruited to attend Yale University’s ground breaking immersion
program for young Blacks to increase diversity in the profession; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Dozier received his master’s degree from Yale, taught for several years, and
developed a lifelong interest in the history of architecture especially the works of Blacks in the
profession; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Dozier’s passion led him to Tuskegee Institute where he became Chair of the
Architecture Program and accepted responsibility for the restoration of its historically significant
buildings; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Dozier traveled to Rome and Africa where he studied restoration techniques.
He then returned to the University of Michigan to earn a PhD in Architecture; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Dozier moved to Morgan State University as a full professor and guided the
school to its first NAAB accreditation; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Dozier traveled extensively throughout the South uncovering and
photographically documenting virtually every church and significant building by Black
Architects…a work that has been published and exhibited widely especially at the National
Smithsonian Institute; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Dozier was sought out by Florida A&M University to become full Professor and
Associate Dean of Architecture, mentoring, lecturing, and continuing as the seminal agent for the
recognition, preservation and restoration of Black Historical Places; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Dozier was compelled to return to Tuskegee to champion the reinstatement of its
accreditation which could have resulted in the loss of the entire program; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Dozier spearheaded the effort to rename the school the Robert R. Taylor School
of Architecture at Tuskegee University in honor of the country’s first Black architect; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Dozier was critical to the success and sustainability of both Tuskegee University
and Florida A&M University where is revered; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Dozier continued as a volunteer and activist and mentor throughout his life
contributing significantly to the National Museum of African American History and culture in
Washington DC.

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the membership board of the National Organization of
Minority Architects (NOMA), the NOMA Foundation, and the NOMA Council express their sincere
condolences to the family of Dr. Richard K. Dozier. The NOMA Family joins them in mourning the
loss of such a great pioneer in the profession of Architecture and a champion for Blacks in the
profession – past, present and future. We do humbly set our hand and seal, this third day of
December, two thousand and twenty-one.