A new global initiative has been launched to document the achievements of Black Women Architects from around the world. 

Called FIRST 500, the initiative, founded and led by Tiara Hughes, aims to raise awareness about Black women architects and their accomplishments and will provide resources for students, practitioners and aspiring architects, and build a community for Black women in the field.

Currently, Black women architects make up less than 1 per cent of all licensed architects in the United States. Raising concerns on this industry-wide equity gap, Hughes founded this global platform to elevate and celebrate Black women architects and their accomplishments, intending to provide a centralized community and resources for designers of all levels. 

The platform aims to inspire Black women and girls to infinitely increase their licensed representation in the industry to better reflect the communities we design for.

Tiara Hughes, Founder and Executive Director of FIRST 500.

FIRST 500 has evolved to include some of the greatest thought leaders and designers in the industry to advance the strategic direction of this platform. 

"When I finished my masters in 2015 and made the big move from Springfield, Missouri to Chicago, my goal was to connect with Black women architects and learn the ropes of the industry," said Tiara Hughes, Founder and Executive Director of FIRST 500.

Image courtesy of SOM

"I quickly learned there was no central resource for this distinguished group and their accomplishments, and that of the 105,000+ licensed architects in the United States at that time, less than 500 of them identified as Black women."

"Equipped with this information, I founded FIRST 500, a global initiative dedicated to celebrating and connecting Black women architects," Hughes added.

FIRST 500's Board members include Adaeze Cadet, Danei Cesario, Dawn David-Pierre, Kiwana McClung, Latoya Kamdang, Lisa Cholmondeley, and Valarie Franklin, and the advisory council includes Anzilla Gilmore, FAIA, June Grant, FAIA, Gabrielle Bullock, FAIA, and Dina Griffin, FAIA.

"Since its inception, FIRST 500 has served as a crucial platform for advocacy and awareness, and instilled a sense of momentum in the industry, motivating Black women to increase their representation and expand their professional opportunities by getting licensed," explained a statement. 

"The website now provides a permanent place to showcase their stories to inspire us all."

For further inquiries, submit your profile or learn more about FIRST 500, please visit website. 

Top image: Board Members (left to right) Adaeze Cadet, Danei Cesario, Dawn David-Pierre, Kiwana McClung, Latoya Kamdang, Lisa Cholmondeley, and Valarie Franklin, and the advisory council includes Anzilla Gilmore, FAIA, June Grant, FAIA, Gabrielle Bullock, FAIA, and Dina Griffin, FAIA.

All images courtesy of FIRST 500 unless otherwise stated.

> via FIRST 500