NOMA’s 2026 conference celebrates design excellence, record attendance, and new leadership

The National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) welcomed more than 1,400 architects, designers, students, educators, and industry partners to its 2026 Annual Conference, The Leading Edge, held October 14–18 in Aventura, Florida. The conference highlighted achievements in architectural design, professional licensure, and education while introducing new organizational leadership.

Hosted in partnership with SoFloNOMA, the organization’s South Florida chapter, the five-day gathering featured more than 60 educational sessions, keynote presentations, workshops, and tours exploring design excellence, climate resilience, social justice, and professional practice. NOMA also celebrated the 20th anniversary of Project Pipeline, its national youth outreach and mentorship initiative.

Saundra Little named incoming NOMA president

Among the conference’s major announcements was the induction of Saundra Little, FAIA, LEED AP, principal at Quinn Evans, as NOMA’s president for 2027–2028. Little succeeds Bryan C. Lee Jr., FAIA, whose term concludes at the end of 2026.

Little introduced her presidential platform, Sustain, Elevate, Empower (S.E.E. NOMA), emphasizing business development, leadership opportunities, and succession planning for minority-owned architecture firms. Her priorities include supporting emerging practices as they develop into established firms and helping existing firm owners navigate ownership transitions.

“This conference demonstrated the strength of a community that continues to build, advocate, and imagine a more just future, even in the face of extraordinary challenges,” said Lee. “Our members support communities through recovery, defend opportunities for the next generation, and bring design justice into the buildings we create, the neighborhoods we serve, and the policies we shape.”

NOMA also named Brien Graham, AIA, NCARB, as president-elect for 2027–2028.

Phil Freelon Professional Design Awards recognize architectural excellence

The conference recognized outstanding built and unbuilt architectural projects through the 2026 Phil Freelon Professional Design Awards. Five projects received Honor Awards:

• Vision Design Excellence: STORYN Studio for Architecture, The Woodson African American Museum of Florida, St. Petersburg, Florida
• Built Work: Build Health International, Institute for Genomics and Global Health, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Nigeria
• Historic Preservation/Restoration: Baskervill, Shockoe Institute, Richmond, Virginia
• Small Projects: EVOKE Studio Architecture, Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Excellence, Durham, North Carolina
• Unbuilt Work: Merge Architectural Group, San Lucy District Administration Building, Gila Bend, Arizona

Additional Citation Awards recognized projects by YNL Architects, ZGF Architects, Urban Design Perspectives, collective, and the University of Hawaiʻi Community Design Center.

Record number of newly licensed architects recognized

NOMA celebrated its largest group of newly licensed architects to date, recognizing 41 members during its October 16 pinning ceremony. More than 25% of those recognized were registered in Texas.

“Behind every pin is a journey of dedication and perseverance, and a community that helped make it possible,” said NOMA Executive Director Tiffany Brown. “Celebrating their achievements reminds us why this gathering matters: we are supporting the people whose voices, talents, and leadership will shape architecture’s future.”

The organization reported membership exceeding 4,000, with 46 professional chapters and more than 135 student chapters.

Student design competition explores Miami’s historic Virginia Key

The annual NOMA Barbara G. Lurie Student Design Competition challenged participants to envision a living museum, cultural center, and marine research and education facility at Miami’s Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, a site significant to South Florida’s Civil Rights history.

Student teams representing 50 NOMAS chapters participated in the competition, developing proposals addressing environmental resilience, cultural preservation, and community engagement.

• First place: Savannah College of Art and Design
• Second place: Pratt Institute
• Third place: University of Washington
• Honorable mention: University of British Columbia
• Special recognition: Morgan State University

Other conference highlights included keynote presentations by Wanda Dalla Costa, the first First Nations woman licensed to practice architecture in Canada, and Bryan Stevenson, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative.

NOMA’s 2027 Annual Conference will take place in Pasadena, California, as clarified by the organization’s communications team.

Source: National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), October 22, 2026, conference announcement. For more information, visit noma.net.

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