NOMA Conference & Exposition

The National Organization of Minority Architects invites you to the annual NOMA Conference & Exposition. Each year 600+ minority architects, urban designers, community activists and design students from across the country come together in fellowship and support for the annual NOMA Conference & Exposition

This year they will explore ways in which they can break down barriers to creating meaningful projects, share ways to remix the role of the designer, and unpack new approaches to the design processes of our built environment. Each attendee will find their ikusasa, Yoruba for future or progress, to forge their path towards progression.

Cities are changing. Populations and economies in Oakland, Dakar, and beyond. Globally, our cities are changing from population to economies near and far. We, as designers, community members, leaders, and environmental stewards, need to be prepared to champion and shift the issues of our current structures to more equitable systems. We must fight to provide access for all to quality public spaces and create opportunities for the masses to enter and engage in our professions.

There is a gap between design development and who ultimately declares what is built in our community. Reckoning with the past, we need to question who has a right to ownership and who has a voice in the design process to build a better future. Using the collaborative tools of the internet, we will collectively explore and share ways to reshape our communities, to fill those gaps in design justice, and move towards a new renaissance.