NOMA CEF Programs
Empowering Change through Design
PROJECT PIPELINE
Mission
The mission is to empower young people to affect change in their community through design. Using the city as the classroom and connecting young people to real-world architects and planners, NOMA fosters the next generation of design professionals, civic leaders, and changemakers. NOMA advocate for increased inclusiveness, diversity, fellowship, equity, and excellence in design.
HBCU PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Introduction
NOMA's Historically Black College & University (HBCU) Professional Development Program
(PDP) was launched in 2020 by partnering with the seven HBCUs with accredited architecture
programs to advance equity in the architecture and design industry. Founded by three Houston
NOMA (HNOMA) members, the program aims to assist in building a pipeline of HBCU students with
award-winning firms across the country, support students from HBCUs in securing entry-level
positions with large-scale architecture firms, and develop a community of professionals in
architecture that will continue to support equity and diversity within the profession through continued mentorship of students from HBCUs.
Each year, the HBCU PDP develops a series of workshops and seminars for students and firms to
participate in from September through May. These monthly events focus on topics ranging from
interviewing tips to salary negotiations, a speed networking workshop, and a career fair.
To recognize students for their commitment to the HBCU PDP program, the Prescott Reavis Grant
was established. The Prescott Reavis Grants are awarded based on each student's active
involvement in the program, their demonstrated financial need, and their commitment to giving back.
The grant, made possible by the generous donations of the HBCU PDP firm sponsors, honors
Reavis (1972-2022), an HBCU architecture graduate, NOMA leader, spatial activist, architect,
planner, award-winning educator, and a dedicated supporter of architecture students and emerging
professionals. To celebrate his contributions to the industry and legacy, the Prescott Reavis HBCU PDP grants are awarded to support the repayment of student loans, moving expenses, cost of living expenses for interns working in cities away from home, and other expenses that can be associated with the transition from school to the profession.
In the Numbers
Since HBCU PDP programming began in 2021, we’ve had remarkable participation:
-More than 550 student program registrants
284 student cohort members
-More than 500 participating firm representatives and volunteers
-Partnered with more than 50 participating architecture firms
-Awarded 28 students with the Prescott Reavies HBCU PDP Grant (since 2022)
-25% of the 2024 HBCU PDP cohorts received internships or full-time positions
History
Project Pipeline was born at the 2002 NOMA conference in Fort Lauderdale. Then-president Paul Taylor asked Drake Dillard and David Kirk to research and establish a plan for the camp that would introduce minority students with a focus on black students to architecture with the ultimate goal of creating more licensed black architects. The first camp was held in 2006 in Cincinnati by the South West Ohio NOMA chapter and AIA Cincinnati. Since then dozens have camps have been held in more than twenty cities. In 2012 a formalized curriculum was implemented nationally.
How We Do It
NOMA and its partners guide students through all stages of design using provoking and fun exercises. Students investigate through drawing and model building, analyze through diagramming and research, and engage through interviews and site visits. By the program’s conclusion, students present a fully realized project that addresses an issue in their city. Project Pipeline serves a diverse population of students, all of whom are underrepresented in the design field. Our program better prepares students for college and life beyond. Through Project Pipeline, young people grasp the significance of architecture in their daily lives, as well as the broader cultural, social, and historical implications. They develop skills and tools to contribute to their community critically and constructively. Project Pipeline has served more than 10,000 students over the last decade.
Since 2017, the NOMA CEF has served as the fiscal agent for
NOMA's Project Pipeline. And since the inception of the NOMA /
NOMA CEF partnership, we have garnered in excesss of $850,000
toward Project Pipeline programming.
For additional informaiton, please visit the Project Pipeline site here: Project Pipeline