DECEMBER 2025 ELEVATE | CELEBRATE | ADVANCE INTERSECTIONS THE OFFICIAL DIGITAL PUBLICATION OF NOMACT
TABLE OF CONTENTS EDITORS: 4 7 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT ABOUT US 11 NOMA CONFERENCE RECAP SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION COMING HOME: WRAPPING 14 Ryia Wescott Cassandra Archer Ersa Llamanki Jason Levy Hillary Kossou ON THE COVER UP THE BUILD AT 24 OLD SCHOOLHOUSE ROAD INAUGURAL PROJECT PIPELINE 21 23 GET TO KNOW ERSA LLAKAMI CONTRIBUTORS: Brigid Abraham 8 13 Ryia Wescott Christina Nhean EVENT RECAP Photography by Mikayla Gillian of Fotosynthesis, LLC Square with four circles Art by Felice Varini Commissioned April 2010 by Site Projects | New Haven A very special thank you to 24 Gina Calabro of AIA Connecticut for her generosity and support since NOMActs conception. AIA HOLIDAY PARTY Connecticut continues to be an advocate and supporter of our organization as we continue to grow and serve the community. Thank you AIA CT! 2 NOMACT
2025 CHAPTER LEADERSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS CASSANDRA ARCHER, AIA, NOMA BRIGID ABRAHAM, AIA, WELL AP, NOMA Senior Architect Centerbrook Architects + Planners Chapter President president@nomact.org Associate Design For Freedom Project Manager Grace Farms At-Large Director Communications Chair communications@nomact.org DOMINIQUE MOORE, AIA, NOMA, NCARB Co-Founder/ Executive Director My Architecture Workshops Inc. Chapter Vice President/President-Elect vicepresident@nomact.org KELSEY GREENLEAF, NOMA AURORA PERREAULT, AIA, NOMA DEEP CHANIARA, AIA, NOMA, NCARB Design Technician JCJ ARCHITECTURE K-12 Chair Architect Patriquin Architects Chapter Secretary & Programs Chair info@nomact.org Associate Pickard Chilton ARE Scholarship Chair At-Large Director HILLARY KOSSOU, NOMA UZAYR AGHA, NOMA Architectural Designer Svigals + Partners / FCA Chapter Treasurer treasurer@nomact.org Architectural Designer Patriquin Architects At-Large Director RYIA WESCOTT, NOMA LAURA BEDUS, AIA, WELL AP, NOMA Architectural Designer TLB Architecture At-Large Director Architect JCJ ARCHITECTURE Sponsorship Chair sponsorship@nomact.org BOARD OF ADVISORS MARY LE, NOMA Architectural Designer Pickard Chilton Chapter Membership Chair membership@nomact.org PHILIP BERNSTEIN, AIA, NOMA MARISSA DIONNE MEAD, AIA, NOMA, LEED-AP Executive Director/CEO AIA Connecticut Associate Dean and Lecturer Yale University GINA CALABRO, HON. AIACT, NOMA Associate Principal/Director of Art Integration Svigals + Partners / FCA Chapter Parliamentarian/Historian parliamentarian@nomact.org OMARYS VASQUEZ, AIA, NOMA, NCARB, LEED-AP State Building Inspector Connecticut Department of Administrative Services Past President PAOLO CAMPOS, AIA, NOMA Principal Patriquin Architects A THANK YOU TO OUR OUTGOING BOARD MEMBERS As we close out another impactful year, we extend our deepest thanks to the board members concluding their terms with NOMAct. Your leadership, dedication, and commitment to advancing our mission in the AEC industry have left a lasting impact on our chapter. Thank you for the time, ideas, and care you’ve brought to this work. Because of you, NOMAct continues to grow and serve our communities. Though your terms are ending, your influence will carry forward, and we hope you’ll remain part of the NOMAct family. Thank you for everything you’ve made possible. BRIGID ABRAHAM DEEP CHANIARA UZAYR AGHA MARISSA DIONNE MEAD MARY LE NOMACT.ORG 3
Dear NOMAct Community, As the year comes to a close, I want to express my sincere gratitude for all that we have accomplished together. This past year was about more than programs, it was about building connections, sharing purpose, and strengthening a community committed to a more just and inclusive architectural profession. The NOMAct Board also engaged in strategic planning this year, revisiting and refining our mission and vision while building on our existing foundation. Our Mission - To foster a supportive community and collective voice that amplifies and advances diversity, equity, and inclusion in architecture. Cassandra Archer, 2025-2026 Our Vision- A profession that reflects the communities it serves, shaping a just and equitable built environment. We saw meaningful impact through our K–12 engagement, including field trips with Platt and Prince Tech, our inaugural Project Pipeline Camp, and fall portfolio reviews, alongside continued support for emerging professionals through ARE study meetups and scholarship investment. Our professional network grew through Meet and Greets with AP Construction and JCJ Architecture, as well as communitybuilding events like our hikes and Habitat for Humanity build day. And yet, like any year dedicated to meaningful work, we faced our share of challenges. Some initiatives did not unfold as we had hoped, and we fell short of the financial targets we set for ourselves. These moments were reminders that our mission requires ongoing commitment: continued growth, deeper sustainability, and a stronger foundation of resources. But each setback sharpened our focus. Each obstacle pushed us to listen more closely, adapt more thoughtfully, and re-imagine how we can serve our members and our community with even greater intention. In many ways, these challenges strengthened us more than our successes. We closed the year on a high note with our Annual Holiday Party, our largest turnout yet, filled with enthusiasm, connection, and excitement for the year ahead. The energy in the room was a powerful reminder of the momentum we are building together. Looking toward next year, I am filled with a profound sense of possibility. We have built momentum that is real, meaningful, and full of promise. We have a community that is energized, connected, and ready for what comes next. And our mission to widen access, uplift the next generation, and reshape our profession has never been more urgent or more inspiring. With new programs emerging, deeper partnerships taking shape, and expanding opportunities to support students, emerging professionals, and practitioners across Connecticut, I believe the coming year will be transformative. And truly, we cannot do it without you. Your membership, your sponsorship, your partnership, your presence, is what allows this work not only to continue but to thrive. Thank you for your passion, your participation, and your belief in what we are building. It is the greatest honor to serve as your president. Here is to a new year filled with purpose, connection, and bold, collective progress. With gratitude and determination, Cassandra Archer President, NOMAct 4
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Our members come to NOMAct for many reasons to find support, to give back, to feel seen, to be part of something bigger. What keeps them here is the same thing that keeps us all going: a community that genuinely cares. We’re a group of students, professionals, dreamers, mentors, and friends who believe in shaping a built environment that reflects everyone. And there’s always room for one more at the table. If you’re looking for connection, purpose, and people who feel like family, you’ll fit right in. BECOME A MEMBER BECOME A FRIEND FRIENDS OF NOMACT We’re dedicated to creating a more equitable and inclusive AEC community, not just in our work, but in the way we show up for one another. Supporting member growth, nurturing connection, and staying actively involved in the communities we serve are at the heart of what we do. Our Friends of NOMAct partnership is a way for local supporters to join our circle. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to stay connected, get involved, and experience our community, even if full national membership isn’t the right fit just yet. This partnership is local to Connecticut and does not include national membership , but it’s a wonderful place to begin. We’d love to welcome you into the 2026 Friends of NOMAct community. 6 NOMACT
ABOUT NOMAct Formed in May of 2019, the founding members of the National Organization of Minority Architects, Connecticut Chapter were brought together through a call to action to drive the architecture profession in Connecticut forward. NOMAct partners with AEC professionals, local and state governments, students, and our communities to champion diversity, equity, and the education of architecture. Our mission is to foster a supportive community and collective voice that amplify and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in architecture. Our community is not limited to just architects but also welcomes all the allied professions directly or indirectly related to the AEC Industry. Our current membership encompasses a wide range of people from different professions in the AEC industry, and we truly believe that diversity is our strength. Our vision is to create more diverse teams within the architectural profession to drive the profession forward and embody the communities we serve. FEBRUARY 2019 THE FOUNDING Architect Jose Hernandez- an at-large NOMA member, a Principal of Newman Architects and based in the New Haven area- asked why there was no NOMA Chapter in Connecticut to join. Jose’s question, which he posed to Gina Calabro, the Executive Director of AIA-CT, catalyzed a series of introductions and conversations with other minority architects in New Haven- specifically, Omarys Vasquez of Svigals + Partners and Paolo Campos of Patriquin Architects. The Founding Members are: Jose Hernandez- Architect Omarys Vazquez- Architect Paolo Campos- Architect Angela Cahill- Architect Susan Wyeth- Architect Amy Ray, Associate Member APRIL 2019 Together they began organizing a group of like-minded architects, emerging professionals, and allies in the engineering, marketing, and construction fields to champion equity, diversity, and inclusion in the architectural profession. MAY 2019 First official meeting. JUNE 2019 Early members who helped get the organization off the ground include Alicia Washington, Amy Ray, Brian Gonzalez, Daniel King, Max Ballardo, Melinda Agron, Ming Thompson, Melody Iannone, and Lina Blaska, who came up with the NOMAct name in June 2019. NAMING NOMACT OCTOBER 2020 NOMAct became officially incorporated in October of 2020, amidst the Covid pandemic. FEBRUARY 2021 Officially chartered by NOMA National in February 2021, becoming the eighth professional Chapter in the Northeast Region alongside in New York, Boston, New Jersey, Baltimore, Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Pittsburg, thereafter known as “The Great Eight”. NOMACT.ORG 7
A RECAP by Hillary Kossou & Ryia Wescott In early October, colleagues Ryia Westcott and Hillary Kossou had the opportunity to attend the National NOMA Conference in Kansas City, MO. Both aspiring women currently serve on the board of NOMAct, Ryia being in charge of the communications team and Hillary as treasurer for the organization. As young professionals, their first conference experience was both inspiring and educational, offering valuable opportunities to engage with peers and leaders who share a commitment to equity and innovation within the design community. The conference featured a wide range of sessions exploring topics such as artificial intelligence and its growing impact on the design industry, particularly within diverse communities. Hillary is more focused on k-12 and how to engage students and Ryia is more focused on using architecture as a social justice tool. Ryia attended sessions focusing on how we as architects and designers keep the community in mind, how we get the community to not only participate but to stay engaged and build trust within a community as we try to amplify, educate, and reveal ancestral histories. The Juneteenth Museum which will be located in the historic southside of fort worth came up during a few sessions. They attended an engaging presentation on feng shui in architecture, which highlighted how material choices connect to personality and spatial harmony. Additional sessions provided insight into effective leadership communication, school design strategies, and the influence of office environments on employee well-being. One highlight of their experience included a tour of the Kauffman Center of Performing Arts, presented and led by Safdie 8 NOMACT Architects. It was a treat to not only hear from the original design team, who have a palpable connection but to be able to walk through the center with them as well as something that doesn’t happen too often. In addition to the educational sessions, NOMA Kansas City organized a series of engaging events that celebrated culture and community throughout the five-day conference. Attending events such as the Bros Arts Ball and the chapter reception at Science City in Union Station provided meaningful opportunities to connect with other minority architects and design professionals. Overall, the 2025 National NOMA Conference served as a fantastic opportunity for professional growth and reaffirmed the importance of diversity, mentorship, and collaboration in shaping the future of design.
Source: The National Juneteenth Museum from https:/ /nationaljuneteenthmuseum.org/ Spotlight: The National Juneteenth Museum Honoring History, Inspiring the Future by Ryia Wescott During several sessions at this year’s NOMA Conference, the story of Juneteenth and the upcoming National Juneteenth Museum emerged as a powerful reminder of how architecture can preserve history while shaping the cultural landscape of our communities. Juneteenth marks the day Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation to finally announce the freedom of enslaved African Americans. Though celebrated since 1866, the holiday was not federally recognized until 2021. Many leaders and advocates helped pave the way for that recognition, including Dr. Opal Lee, a founding board member of the new museum and a lifelong champion of making Juneteenth a national holiday. the people and stories the museum represents. This sentiment was echoed throughout multiple conference sessions that highlighted the need for cultural alignment and community-centered practice. Architecturally, the 50,000-square-foot cultural center draws inspiration from the vernacular forms of the neighborhood. Its gabled rooftops converge to create a nova star–shaped courtyard, featuring a five-point star set into the pavement. The star symbolizes Texas, the final state to enforce emancipation, and represents a new chapter, one filled with hope and empowerment for future generations. Beyond its visual impact, the museum is designed to be a place of learning, connection, and opportunity. It will offer interactive educational exhibits, collaborative workspaces, and a business incubator aimed at supporting local entrepreneurs. A food hall featuring diverse culinary talent will further anchor the building as a community gathering place. The project also builds upon the legacy of Dr. Opal Lee, expanding the work she began with her original Juneteenth Museum in 2005. Overall, the development of the National Juneteenth Museum reflects a broader commitment to equity, storytelling, and culturally responsive design. As highlighted at the conference, when architecture honors history and actively involves the communities it serves, it has the power not only to transform mind but to transform neighborhoods. The new museum, designed by BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group with Douglass Alligood (AIA, LEED AP, NOMA) as lead designer and KAI Enterprises serving as executive architect, will be located in Fort Worth’s historic Southside. Throughout the design process, the team emphasized the importance of bringing African American architects, designers, and community members to the table, ensuring the people shaping the space reflect NOMACT.ORG 9
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