A few of us from the Integrus Emerging Professionals Group recently attended the 2025 NOMA National Conference (National Organization of Minority Architects) in Kansas City, an annual gathering that continues to shape the future of equitable design. It was an energizing experience to connect with designers and community leaders who share a commitment to human-centered spaces, belonging, collaboration, and thoughtful design. NOMA’s mission to advance equity in architecture resonates deeply with our own values, and we returned to Integrus offices in Portland, Spokane, and Seattle inspired and energized.

We’re excited to reflect on our experience and how we’re putting inclusive principles into action in our home communities.

      

Attendees:

  • Ana — Emerging Professional, Portland Office; Co-Founder of the Portland NOMA Chapter; attending her third NOMA Conference, but this was her first time attending with other Integrus co-workers.
  • Daisy — Architect, Spokane Office; Pinned for Licensure at her first NOMA Conference in Portland; now building community in a new city, she was the first to ever attend a NOMA Conference from the Spokane Office.
  • Theo — Designer, Seattle Office; attending his first-ever NOMA Conference in person

 

What We Brought Home from NOMA 2025

Ana: Every time I go to NOMA, I think I know what to expect: community, inspiration, family reunion vibes and healing. This time being able to go on a building tour with Daisy (who I met through the 2023 Portland conference) and watch her ask the architect and engineers questions about the construction process was really inspiring. Also to reconnect with the Kansas City Chapter President – Wilson after bonding with him at the 2024 Baltimore conference over licensure struggles and see him now get pinned as a licensed architect then lead the tour through my favorite building of the trip – Its inspiring moments like those layering on top of each other that helps me dream bigger about my career’s future and dissuade doubts and fears.

Theo: My first NOMA conference was wonderful, it was honestly transformative. I’ve never been in a space where technology, equity, and architecture were talked about with so much care. It was really affirming to see the passion I have for architecture reflected and amplified by so many other people.

Daisy: Same. The idea that “innovation” doesn’t mean much unless it uplifts people—that stuck with me. It was a good reset as I’m settling into a new community in Spokane.

   

Theo: On Friday there was a luncheon planned that talked about grounding. Hearing the family of Michael Brown speak about community centers as places of healing… that’s something I’ll be carrying for a long time. As well as the hope I gained from seeing so many of my peers and their willingness to help bring a new community center to life.

Ana: NOMA always makes space for these conversations. It’s what keeps me coming back. It’s not performative—it’s deeply human.

Daisy: It tied so well into every session I attended. Whether it was about redlining today or inclusive firm leadership, there was this thread reminding us that justice is built, not just discussed.

Ana: What tracks did you two focus on?

Daisy: A mix of Business and Technical. Being recently licensed, I’m trying to grow into leadership roles, and those sessions gave me a lot of direction. But even the technical talks somehow circled back to people and equity.

Theo: I gravitated toward sessions about design for education and designing for marginalized communities, they were all so affirming

Daisy: That’s what I love about NOMA—you can jump between tracks, and they all point back to the same shared purpose.

Ana: And seriously, the airport tour? Impressive. I haven’t had the opportunity to walk through so many examples of accessible design via the all user restrooms, sensory space, quiet room, and kids’ play area.

Theo: The tours really were an impressive example of some of the ingenuity our peers in Kansas city have

Ana: Every host city becomes part of the curriculum—that’s the beauty of it.

How the Conference Sparked Local Action Back Home

Daisy: For me, the biggest shift happened after I got home. Idaho doesn’t have a NOMA chapter yet, but with the local college in Spokane starting its first student NOMA chapter, the future looks a bit brighter. The Spokane AIA President started talking to me about what it would take to build a local NOMA community in Spokane, but I also want to do it intentionally—I just moved here, and I want to find and connect with other minority architects first so the foundation of a new chapter is strong and genuinely representative.

Theo: I relate to that. I’ll admit I wasn’t super involved with NOMA NW (Seattle) before the conference—but after meeting so many chapter members in Kansas City, I feel like I’m excited to become much more involved. I have to plug in now and find ways to engage more.

Ana: Bonding with both of you energized pushed me too. When I got home, I kept thinking about how my friend who works at a smaller firm didn’t get to go to conference and how she’s been struggling to find her people since moving to Portland. There are only five licensed Black architects in all of Oregon – and my friend works with one of them but it’s not enough and I feel like she could greatly benefit from entering a room full of representation. So I decided to create something I’ve never seen here since 2023 when we hosted the NOMA National Conference in Portland—a gathering centered entirely on Black creatives. I pulled together a panel of 3 Black artists, 3 Black community leaders, and 2 Black architectural designers and hosted an event called “Where Are My People: Black Creatives Edition.” Theo came down to attend but got dragged into helping with set up, along with several others from our Portland office who volunteered. We filled the room. And for a moment, it felt like the panels we saw at NOMA in KC—grounded, joyful, honest and safe.

Theo: That event was incredible. You could feel the energy in the room. There’s something really magical about being surrounded by black joy.

Daisy: Exactly the kind of ripple effect NOMA is meant to spark.

Closing Reflections

Ana: I’m grateful the firm supported us being there – last year when I started at Integrus my only goal right after conference was to not go alone the following year. They not only sent be back again – but with friends especially after the kind of year we’ve had with Equity, Diversity and Inclusion work being targeted. I’m glad we went – not just for the conference, but for what it’s helping us build at home.

Daisy: Same. NOMA inspired me about the community I want to help shape in Spokane.

Theo: And it gave me a community I didn’t know I was missing. I’m all in now.

 

Ana: So… next year?

Daisy: Definitely.

Theo: Absolutely. And hopefully we show up with an even bigger crew—from all three offices.

Check out their reflections on this transformative experience.