NOMACT
NOMAct is the Connecticut professional chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects. It was incorporated in 2019, and officially chartered on February 2, 2021.
THE HISTORY OF NOMACT
FEBRUARY 2019
The Founding
Architect Jose Hernandez- an at-large NOMA member, a Principal of Newman Architects and based in the New Haven area- asked why there was no NOMA Chapter in Connecticut to join. Jose’s question, which he posed to Gina Calabro, the Executive Director of AIA-CT, catalyzed a series of introductions and conversations with other minority architects in New Haven- specifically, Omarys Vasquez of Svigals + Partners and Paolo Campos of Patriquin Architects.
april 2019
Together they began organizing a group of like-minded architects, emerging professionals, and allies in the engineering, marketing, and construction fields to champion equity, diversity, and inclusion in the architectural profession.
may 2019
First official meeting.
june 2019
naming nomact
Early members who helped get the organization off the ground include Alicia Washington, Amy Ray, Brian Gonzalez, Daniel King, Max Ballardo, Melinda Agron, Ming Thompson, Melody Iannone, and Lina Blaska, who came up with the NOMAct name in June 2019.
october 2020
NOMAct became officially incorporated in October of 2020, amidst the Covid pandemic.
february 2021
Officially chartered by NOMA National in February 2021, becoming the eighth professional Chapter in the Northeast Region alongside in New York, Boston, New Jersey, Baltimore, Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Pittsburg, thereafter known as “The Great Eight”.