America’s Hidden Gem (TM)

Hi readers! It’s #FutureArchitectFriday. A day to celebrate those pushing themselves to becoming licensed architects.

Name:

Aaliyah Inman

Hometown:

Brooklyn, NY

Educational Status:

Second Year majoring in Architecture at New York Institute Of Technology

How would you describe your experience as a Black Architecture student?

It gets very intimidating being one of the few in my class, and I know as I get more experience in the field it will be rare for me to see architects that are like me. I use this as motivation to work harder, and to break the norm.

Why do you want to get your license?

Biggest inspiration/influence?

My biggest inspiration is my mother, it can seem cliche, but my mother has broken barriers of her own. She is strong and resilient. She represents power and I admire her. Since I started school she as instilled in me to not only be the best that I can but the best that I want to be.

How important is representation?

Representation is extremely important. A lot of African American people have the idea that they can only do certain things, or in the case that they want to do pursue in a field but they don’t because of the little representation. We need the “barrier breakers” to set it off.

Favorite quote/poem/song/etc.?

“Still, I Rise” Maya Angelou. So simple, yet so powerful.