THE AIA ILLINOIS 2019 R. BUCKMINSTER FULLER AWARD FOR SOCIAL GOOD was presented to BRYAN HUDSON, AIA. A private ceremony took place 23 October 2019 at The Cliff Dwellers.
Throughout his career, Bryan Hudson has worked tirelessly to mentor budding architects and to expose young students to the possibilities within the profession of architecture. The endeavor is personal to him and it shows as he continually offers up his personal time, and even his home, in support of truly mentoring emerging professionals. He works to foster an environment where minorities are supported and have access to resources in the profession. He has served as a leader in numerous organizations that focus on improving minority participation in the field of architecture. Two brief examples, ACT-SO and NOMA, are highlighted below.
Bryan has been very involved in the NAACP’s Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO). This program is a year long achievement program designed to recruit, stimulate, and encourage high academic and cultural achievement among African-American high school students. It includes competitions in STEM, performing/visual/culinary arts, the humanities, and yes, architecture! Bryan not only serves as a mentor himself, but he also helps fund raise and recruit other minority professionals to participate as mentors and judges. Students from the Chicago south-side ACT-SO have gone on to compete and medal at the national competition.
Bryan just completed his term as national president of NOMA last year, but he has served in many capacities within NOMA over the last 30 years. Through NOMA, Bryan has helped shape programs such as Project Pipeline which brings architecture to diverse and under represented groups of middle and high school students all over the country. He has also helped continue the annual NOMA national conference which provides minority architects with opportunities for networking, recognition, and knowledge-sharing. It also includes a student design competition showcasing student talent from a diverse cross section of universities across the nation. Bryan’s work to continue the NOMA legacy is important not just for minority architects but for all architects as the profession works to combat the lack of diversity found within.
Bryan was nominated by his peers,
“Given his demonstrated and long standing commitment to positively impacting our communities, BRYAN HUDSON, AIA, is well-deserving of the 2019 R. BUCKMINSTER FULLER AWARD for humanitarian, social, and community impact.”
The awards reception also honored Damon Wilson, AIA, with the 2019 John Wellborn Root Award for Emerging Professionals and Scott Nacheman, AIA, with the Charles W. Nothnagel Award for Public Service.
All award winners have positively impacted citizens throughout the state of Illinois by helping create communities in which people are drawn to live and work, and to live healthier and happier.
