NJIT Architecture Alum Bryan Lee Jr. Named 2025-2026 NOMA President

Bryan C. Lee Jr. ’08, an architect, educator and design justice advocate with a master’s in architecture from NJIT’s Hillier College of Architecture and Design, was recently named president of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). 

Lee is the founder and director of Colloqate Design, a nonprofit multidisciplinary design practice based in New Orleans. His appointment marks a significant milestone in NOMA's ongoing mission to promote diversity, equity and inclusion within the architectural profession.

“It is an honor to serve as NOMA’s president and the power it represents, which is to lift others up in every stage of their careers and to speak to the reach and impact of architecture and community,” said Lee. “NOMA’s legacy illustrates the impact any one person can make on the collective while lifting up others with you as you build higher. Our profession holds immense power to shape the physical and social landscapes of our world. Together, we will continue to challenge the status quo, cultivate talent from underrepresented communities, and ensure that design is a tool for justice and transformation.”

Lee’s journey into architecture and advocacy began with his academic pursuits at Ohio State University (OSU). His early leadership roles in NOMA's student chapters set the stage for his lifelong commitment to equity in design. He combined his architectural studies at NJIT with active involvement in NOMA, contributing to the establishment of the New Jersey chapter.

“Bryan represents the highest ideal of the ‘citizen architect’ – someone whose practice is dedicated to making the world a better place, to using design as a form of reparative justice,” said Gabrielle Esperdy, dean of HCAD. “The New Jersey School of Architecture is committed to educating architects to be engaged members of their communities and Bryan is an exemplar of our program.”

After contributing to acclaimed firms such as Eskew+Dumez+Ripple and serving as director of Place + Civic Design at the Arts Council of New Orleans, Lee founded Colloqate Design in 2017 to focus on expanding community access to social, civic and cultural spaces.

At Colloqate Design, Lee has been instrumental in advancing the concept of design justice, which seeks to challenge and dismantle systemic inequities in the built environment. One of his notable initiatives is the Design As Protest (DAP) Collective, a platform that organizes designers and advocates to address issues of injustice through design interventions. This collective has hosted workshops nationwide, empowering communities to actively participate in shaping spaces that reflect their identities and needs.

In recognition of his impactful work, Lee has received numerous accolades, including Fast Company's Most Creative People in Business in 2018, the Architectural League’s Emerging Voices award in 2019 and the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award in 2021. Most recently, he was honored with the 2025 Whitney M. Young Jr. Award by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), acknowledging his efforts to promote social responsibility and diversity within the profession. He has also been elevated to the American Institute of Architects’s College of Fellows. 

As he prepares to assume the presidency of NOMA, Lee has articulated a vision that emphasizes the importance of community engagement, education and the dismantling of systemic barriers in architecture. He advocates for a profession that not only reflects the diverse communities it serves but also actively involves them in the design process.

“Our work is to ensure that the voices of the unheard are amplified and that the spaces we create are equitable, just, and reflective of the rich diversity of our society,” Lee said in a recent address.

NOMA, established in 1971, has been at the forefront of efforts to increase the representation and participation of minority architects in the field. With Lee’s leadership, the organization aims to further its mission by implementing initiatives that foster mentorship, professional development, and advocacy for policies that promote inclusivity in architecture and design.

“Architecture has the power to speak the language of the people it serves and we have to be willing to serve those without power,” said Lee. “We can choose to be a profession and organization that slips into the cozy niche assertion that architecture is too large to deal with the small nuanced considerations in our communities yet too small to address the larger systemic issues in our society. Or, through advocacy, policy, design and partnerships, we can choose to motivate and build bridges to the future we want to see.” 

In addition to his role at NOMA, Lee continues to lead Colloqate Design in projects that prioritize community engagement and address systemic injustices. His work serves as a testament to the power of design as a tool for social change, challenging architects to consider the broader impact of their work on society.

As the architectural community looks ahead to Lee’s tenure as NOMA president, there is a collective anticipation for the initiatives and programs that will emerge under his leadership. His vision for a more inclusive and equitable profession aligns with NOMA’s mission and sets a course for meaningful progress in the years to come.