The National Organization of Minority Architects
The National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMAS) was first introduced at the National AIA Conference in 1971. NOMA was initiated by 12 African-American architects who recognized the desperate need for an organization dedicated to the development and advancement of minority architects.
The Cal Poly Pomona chapter of NOMAS was established in Fall 2020. In light of the racial justice protests after the death of George Floyd, the inaugural members strongly value the promotion of inclusivity and diversity in practice and academia. CPPNOMAS is driven by three core beliefs – to inspire youth, to elevate opportunities, and to share a common voice. Our mission is to establish a solid foundation for raising social awareness and giving back to the community with our fellow architecture students.
We find, as minorities and people of color studying architecture, a community of purpose and cultural experience that warrants our combined efforts in the advancement of our future profession, our respective activities in it, and the needs of the communities we will serve.
As student leaders of NOMAS and the future of architecture, we stand among the gatekeepers of the profession. During our education, we hold an important role of leveraging our universities and colleges to enact change that would boost diversity, equity, inclusion, and advocate for severely underrepresented minorities.
CPPNOMAS have held various events throughout the 2020-2021 school year: collaboration with various firms to hold professional workshops, hosting lectures featuring prominent architects of color, as well as participating in bootcamps and mentoring youth interested in becoming future architects. The president during its inaugural year was Henry Chu, a fifth-year B.Arch student and a graduate of the Class of 2021.
The president of the 2021-2022 school year is James Cardona, a third-year student in the B.Arch program.
More information, including events held by CPPNOMAS can be found at