America’s Hidden Gem (TM)

Welcome to #MentorMonday! Mondays are dedicated to celebrating Black LICENSED Architects, Designers, and individuals in the profession of Architecture!

The questions asked to these individuals are to allow us into their lives and to be used as an inspiration. I hope you all enjoy this series.

Name: Ya Vaughn Harlston

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois, currently reside in Wheaton, Illinois

What/who sparked your interest in Architecture and when?

What does it mean to be a black architect to you? Do you feel that you have more responsibility?

There is a small number of African-American Architects and an even smaller number of female African-American Architects that exist in this professional career. Because I am a minority and female I feel that I have more of a responsibility to work twice as hard as my peers to prove that I have what it takes to be successful and show professionally that I can do the work equally the same or better.

Being an African-American Architect, after my licensure process, I feel it is my responsibility to show that we play an important role in our society and shape the future of our environment through design and aesthetics, as well as, to inspire other minority individuals that have an aspiration to pursue a profession in architecture through mentoring which is something have done for a few years prior to pursuing my license.

What are some obstacles you’ve experienced or currently experiencing as a black architect/designer?

Should we ignore race in this profession?

No we shouldn’t ignore race in this profession. Race is a big issue because it shows that the architecture profession isn’t diversified enough and to show the large of a gap between the minority race and the majority race. This profession has been a “white male-dominated profession” for many years and is slowly evolving into a diversified profession. We should be asking ourselves the question “why and how can we make the architecture field even more inclusive and diversified when it comes to race”.

If you could give advice to a black student in Architecture school right now, what would it be?

My advice would be to be more active in in student organizations at your school, take advantage of study abroad programs that are offered at your school,  network by going to conferences and putting yourself out in the forefront. Start applying for internships (paid) as early as your sophomore year so that you can work during the summer or work part-time while in school to gain professional work experience and become “marketable” after graduation. Investing in yourself outside of academia will make you have better opportunities when you enter into the workforce.

Describe a moment you were at your lowest on your pursuit to licensure and how did you overcome it?

How important is representation?

It’s very important that representation of race and gender is reflected in the architecture profession. African Americans are definitely underrepresented in this profession. People of color are not likely to be promoted to higher positions at their jobs even though he/she are an equal asset to the company and there is a lack of African American role models that mentor minority students. Increasing more community outreach programs in middle and high schools in the inner city urban areas can promote and show students that there are people in this profession that look like them and possibly have come from a similar background can be successful.