E-Briefing January 2000 Black History Month is observed during the month of February, a time for all races to reflect on the nation's progress. This week's University of Cincinnati e-briefing looks at where we've come from as well as the challenges and promise awaiting African Americans in the future. Also, UC research points to hope for what may be the nation's smallest professional group, black female architects. African American women are building a presence, more than doubling their numbers in the last decade. Table of contents 1. PAST TO PRESENT a. Civil rights leader recalls the past, looks to the future b. Where we now stand 2. POSSIBLE FUTURES ON RACE, POVERTY AND IDENTITY a. Reach kids in school to break the poverty trap b. Increasing diversity within African American ranks c. Today's racial categories to become history? 3. NEW OPPORTUNITIES a. Backbones of strength b. African American women have the write stuff c. Literature, a winning tale for African American writers 4. DESIGN WITH COLOR: Knocking down walls within architecture 1. PAST TO PRESENT A. African American leader recalls the past, looks to the future The Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, pastor of the Greater New Light Baptist Church, Cincinnati, and a one-time colleague of Martin Luther King, Jr., was the target of racial attacks, including the 1956 bombing of his Birmingham church by the Ku Klux Klan: "...my prayer is that people would realize through the myriad efforts and sacrifices -- the jailings, beatings and murders -- that black people and poor people have suffered....that we must do better, and quickly. We talk about building a bridge into the 21st century let's not drag a lot of discriminatory and racist baggage over it." contact: 513-221-3862 B. Where we now stand Vanessa Allen-Brown, professor of education, says that lack of tolerance is most evident in the media and schools: "Although we have turned the corner of a new millennium and have entered the 21st century, we continue to treat one another with disdain, even hate. I question this society's commitment to truly create a diverse and pluralist population where differences are encouraged and supported." contact: 513-556-3625 2. POSSIBLE FUTURES ON RACE, POVERTY AND IDENTITY A. Reach kids in school to break the poverty trap John Brackett, associate professor of African American Studies at UC and director of two after-school academic programs for inner-city children, says too many African Americans are caught in the trap of poverty. As a result, today's schools cannot provide them an adequate education: "Society can't rebuild families that have broken apart, but society can re-conceive schools. We need to take kids in at age 3, and keep them in extended hours...until they are ready for high school. We need to increase the social welfare services that are available to them on-site, as well as improve academic instruction." contact: 513-556-0959 B. African Americans will need to accommodate greater diversity Linda Bates, director of UC's Career Development Center and founder and president of the international group, Black Career Women: "African Americans will need to learn to accommodate greater diversity within their own ranks -- diversity of experience, physical features and even of political views. We won't be able to define people or issues as black or white. They'll be black, white, red and brown. We'll have 'tendencies,' not absolutes. This may well mean some loss of political clout for currently more cohesive African American voting blocs. contact: 513-556-0306 C. Today's racial categories to become history? Gabe Grosz, associate publisher, "InterRace" as well as "Raising Black and Biracial Children" magazines: "I think color is funny or maybe, it's sad. Why are we even talking about skin color? It's an issue because of history. The trend toward a multi-racial America will erase categorization. In 50 years, the race issue may not be a factor. It may eventually disappear as an issue." contact: 310-358-2932 (Pacific Time) 3. NEW OPPORTUNITIES A. Backbones of strength UC Teacher in Residence Sharon Draper, the 1997 National Teacher of the year, says women always have had strength and power, they just weren't given the credit. "The women held the family together when men couldn't handle it. Although historically they were not able to attain positions of power, they were always the force behind the men who thought they had the power." Draper sees more possibilities today for women, including opportunities at the top rung and the corporate ladder as well as recognition in sports. "I see the most hope...because women today, especially African American women, are teaching their daughters there are no limits. It's not going to be easy, but those children will see possibilities that were not there for us a century ago." contact: 513-556-2882 B. African American women have the write stuff Darwin Henderson, UC associate professor of education, says the writers market is taking off for African American women who are crossing cultures with stories that appeal to all readers. "They are writing in a variety of genre -- not just autobiographical but fiction, non-fiction, poetry and even children's stories." contact: 513-556-0198 C. Literature, a winning tale for African American writers Angelene Jamison-Hall, UC professor of African American literature, says recent strides have made the end of the 20th century to rank as the most productive period for African American writers. "There are more African Americans writing and getting published than ever before....Writers such as Toni Morrison, Charles Johnson, Octavia Butler, Walter Mosely, the late Audre Lorde, Paule Marshall and many others have gained worldwide appeal and together, given the world a chance to experience the creativity of African Americans." contact: 513-242-8916 4. DESIGN WITH COLOR The nation's smallest professional group may be black female architects, but recent research at the University of Cincinnati provides hope for the future when it comes to African American women building a presence. The number of African American women practicing as licensed architects has doubled in the last decade, according to Dennis Mann, UC professor of architecture. Mann noted the trend when preparing materials for a Directory of African American Architects to be published later this year. (The first edition was published in 1991 with an updated following in 1996.). The number of licensed African American women architects now stands at 111, up from 49 when Mann was preparing the material for his first edition. Mann attributes the increase to the overall rise of women entering the profession. Currently, about one-third of the nation's architecture students are women. Mann's present tally of the total number of African Americans practicing as licensed architects is 1,302, representing slightly more than one percent of the country's licensed architects. Dennis Mann, UC professor of architecture, says architecture has long been a "white, male dominated profession. Women, Asians, Hispanics and blacks have all struggled to make inroads. The current generation of newly licensed African American women architects is making history. Many are the first licensed African American practitioners in their respective states. The numbers are creeping up." contact 513-556-0230 Nolanda Bearden, architect with Gresham Smith & Partners, Birmingham, AL: "I can't say as I've been treated adversely because I'm a black woman. It is a bit strange. There are not many women in architecture to begin with, especially here in the south, but once people get to know you, know you have the skills and ability, they'll mentor you. The want to invest themselves in a person who shows promise and ability." contact: 205-298-9293 Michelle Greene-Stradford, senior project manager/architect, Lockwood Greene, Inc.: "Early in my career, I was taken aback by responses from colleagues and clients. Because I was a woman, they did not believe I knew what I was talking about. My knowledge and experience in architecture and engineering was questioned. You just have to look beyond this and do the job. Because there are very few women and blacks in the field, it's very difficult to make connections, bond with peers. It's harder to network and easy to become isolated." contact: 513-530-5520 Sharon Sutton, professor of architecture and director of the University of Washington's Center for Environment, Education and Design Studies, researches the humanistic aspects of architecture, particularly the relationship between space and children's development: "I see opportunities for African American women architects because the challenge for all architects is to provide services valuable to the public. Many African American women grow up in extended families and provide leadership within community institutions like churches or civic focus, what lots of people in the field are saying the profession needs." contact: 206-685-3361 Note to media: names and contact numbers for other licensed African American women architects from throughout the U.S. can be obtained by calling Mary Bridget Reilly at 513-556-1824. Click here to return to the most recent e-briefing offering. 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