AIA| 2x8 Presents: DISMANTLING SYSTEMIC RACISM

Dismantling Systemic Racism in Pedagogy

Committee: 2×8 Committee

REGISTER HERE

Inspired by the GSD’s interview series named: Dismantling Systemic Racism in Pedagogy and Practice: An Interview Series, the 2×8 committee is organizing an event to focus on the academic efforts to dismantle systemic racism. 

Following the murder of George Floyd, the international protests and public outrage pushed many institutions to issue statements condemning racism and inequalities at large. While there is an understanding that many institutions are socially progressive, it is not always as clear how they shape their agendas be anti-racist and champion equality. DISMANTLING SYSTEMIC RACISM IN PEDAGOGY serves as a public forum for local architecture programs to share with their communities how they will contribute in the efforts to dismantle systemic racism.

In this event moderated by Joshua Foster, NOMA, Assoc. AIA, nine architecture programs from community colleges, undergraduate and graduate programs, will share their plan to combat the various inequalities contributing to systemic racism.

Students will have the opportunity to direct questions and concerns to a faculty member representing their institution. 

Bradford Grant, professor at Howard University will be guest panelist to share his invaluable experience teaching at an HBCU after growing up in the California Bay area.

Moderator: Joshua Foster

A native of the Philadelphia area, a seasoned New Yorker, and now a settled Angeleno, Joshua has a strong passion for creating community empowerment driven solutions. As an architectural designer, Joshua focuses on affordable and market-rate housing projects at  KFA Architecture while advocating for diversity as a SoCal NOMA Executive Board member and the Co-Chair of the Joint AIA|LA + SoCal NOMA Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) committee. Outside of architecture, Joshua is a musician as well as Co-Founder and CEO of Mint Inc., a platform empowering a community of young professionals and entrepreneurs of color.

Panelist: Bradford C. Grant

Bradford C. Grant is a Professor of Architecture in the Department of Architecture of the College of Engineering and Architecture at Howard University, Washington DC. He has been in leadership roles at Hampton and Howard Universities as Chairperson, Director, Associate Dean and Interim Dean. As a registered architect and educator he has extensive experience in community design and contemplative practices in design education. Grant is past president of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), a former board member of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), past chair of the Humanities DC and the current board president of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society.