ACE Mentor Program And NOMA Announce Renewal Of National Partnership

PHILADELPHIA, PA, November 16, 2023 - The ACE Mentor Program of America of America (ACE) and the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) are pleased to announce today the renewal of their national partnership, which began during the Summer of 2020. ACE is a national nonprofit organization committed to advancing career opportunities for high school students in fields related to architecture, construction, and engineering, while NOMA works to diversify the architecture and design industry, minimize the effect of racism, and increase the licensure of Black and minority architects.

ACE and NOMA have a shared commitment to diversity, inclusion, and workforce development. By renewing this official partnership, the two organizations plan to work more closely together to support students of color as they move from middle school, to high school, through college and into careers in architecture.

“Embracing the wealth of talent and unique perspectives that diverse students bring, we aim to empower young individuals of color to actively contribute to the architecture industry and envision themselves as integral parts of its future,” said Pascale Sablan, FAIA, NOMA, LEED AP, 2023-2024 NOMA President and Associate Principal at Adjaye Associates. “We are dedicated to strategic partnerships with organizations like ACE that share our commitment to amplifying collective voices and fostering actionable solutions in pursuit of a more inclusive and vibrant profession.”

Only 2 percent of licensed architects in the United States are Black or African American, and Black female architects make up less than .2 percent of the total architect population in the United States. Developing initiatives for early exposure to the industry to build the pipeline of architects is critical to diversify the field. NOMA’s Project Pipeline Architecture Camps are aligned with ACE’s mission. The camps are offered every summer to inspire students of color from a young age to consider architecture and design as career options. The summer camps began in 2006 and today, nearly 30 cities have hosted hundreds of summer camps, introducing more than 20,000 young people to careers in architecture and design. Beyond high school, NOMA maintains a strong network of college student chapters, NOMAS, and supports a fellowship program, NOMA Future Faces, to support young professionals on their path to architecture licensure.

“We are so excited to renew this important partnership with NOMA,” said Diana Eidenshink, President of the ACE Mentor Program of America. “Our organization, which annually serves more than 10,000 students across the country, looks forward to completing the pipeline from middle school, through ACE Mentor, and into rewarding careers, particularly for the 70% of our students who identify as people of color. In renewing this partnership, we look to grow local connections between ACE Mentor affiliates and NOMA Chapters.”

About the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA)

The National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) was formed over 50 years ago to represent the needs of African American architects. Founded in 1971, the purpose of NOMA was to bolster and provide support for Black licensed architects around the country. Today, NOMA is a haven for architects of all origins who seek inclusion in the design industry. We continue to advocate for the licensure of African American architects (who account for only two percent of all licensed architects today), as well as those from other underrepresented backgrounds.

NOMA has 42 professional chapters and 117 student chapters, National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS) — mentored by regional NOMA chapters. NOMA and NOMAS membership is predominantly African-American, with other minority members including Native American, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, East Indian, and Asian, as well as an increasing segment of non-minority members who support NOMA’s mission. NOMA supports its student members by providing mentorship, scholarships, and job opportunities to ensure their successful transition into the profession. www.noma.net

About the ACE Mentor Program

The ACE Mentor Program of America, founded in 1994, is a no-cost after-school program that prioritizes workforce development for high school students by connecting them with experts from the design and construction industry.

ACE Mentor addresses pressing workforce needs, offers a range of exciting opportunities for students, and plays a crucial role in bridging the skills gap, with continuous mentor opportunities from high school through to full-time employment.

ACE Mentor Statistical Profile

• Over 10,000 students reached annually, drawn from over 1,500 high schools nation-wide.
• Over 70% of enrolled students are people of color, and about 40% identify as young women.
• More than 4,000 industry professionals serve as volunteer mentors each year.
• Nearly $4 million in scholarships was awarded this past year to program alums pursuing industry-related careers, totaling $32.4 Million since ACE’s inception.
• Over 90% of ACE alumni go on to college or skilled trades training programs.
• More than 70% of ACE seniors annually enter a college or skilled trades program with an industry-related focus.
• Over 40% of ACE seniors entering college will be 1st generation scholars.
• 200+ college students have enrolled in the Transformative Partner Program, which acts as a bridge between high school and career.
• An estimated 2,000+ ACE alumni enter the AEC workforce every year.
• A growing number of ACE Mentors are program alumni (7%).
• Each year, more than 600 students participate in paid Summer Workplace Experiences and Summer Camps.
• ACE Mentor, through generous contributions from donor and partner firms, provides access to ongoing mentoring opportunities, soft skills training, and job board postings to active alumni pursuing careers in the AEC industry.