History of NOMA Columbus


Chartering a Chapter

Over the summer of 2021, a group of 8 recent grads and professionals began meeting virtually in the post-pandemic world to discuss how to revive a NOMA chapter for the city of Columbus.

With the help of Saundra Little, Midwest Region VP, they filled board positions, wrote bylaws and began meeting to organize and deliberate on what a chapter would mean to them, the city and anyone who passed by.

After 9 month of dedicated planning, NOMAColumbus was chartered as the 36th chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects on March 11th, 2022.

Laying the Foundation

Recognized as an official chapter by NOMA National, the new members of NOMAColumbus spent the summer of 2022 registering as a Non-Profit, filling more board positions, getting a public launch by a few local organizations, and began to establish its presence in the city of Columbus.

Getting Down to Business

Members of NOMAColumbus began our Monthly “All Member Meetings” in the fall of 2022 to develop our chapter initiatives, committees, and to get to know each other.

Going National

For the first time as a recognized chapter, more than 15 members of NOMAColumbus were present at the 2022 NOMA National Conference in Nashville, TN.

2023 - Present Day

Since the 2022 National Conference, NOMAColumbus has celebrated its 1st chapter anniversary, volunteered with other non profit organizations, and hosted our first Project Pipeline Design Summer Camp! Many great things are on the horizon for NOMAColumbus.

All of this would not have been possible without those who decided to believe in our cause and our organization in its first full year of programming and become a Founding Sponsor in 2023:

  • Meyers & Associates

  • The Columbus Architectural Studio

  • AIA Columbus

  • BBCO

  • Triad

  • Moody Nolan