MMD Featured in Top 10 Notable DC Projects Designed by Black Architects

In February, in recognition of Black History Month, CurbedDC selected 10 notable projects in DC that were designed by black architects. MMD’s Michael Marshall was featured for the design of the Chuck Brown Memorial Park. CurbedDC’s Michelle Goldchain wrote: “While African Americans made up 13 percent of the total U.S. population in 2010, only 2 percent of licensed architects in the U.S. are African American. Despite this, black architects have always had a huge impact on the nation’s capital.”

Her “top 10” list spans museums including The National Museum of African American History and Culture, to buildings including The Frank D. Reeves Center of Municipal Affairs, to works of public art such as murals.  The article served as a great history lesson, highlighting the True Reformer Building, for example, which was designed in 1903 by John Anderson Lankford, who was the first African-American to be registered as an architect in Washington, D.C.  This building was the first in the nation to be designed, financed, built and owned by the African-American community after Reconstruction.

DC native Michael Marshall was included on the list as the architect of the Chuck Brown Memorial, which opened in the summer of 2014 as a tribute to the DC music legend.  “We continue to be proud this project, which honors a beloved icon of our nation’s capital. Additionally, the design of public spaces where people can come together in celebration, remembrance and community is a priority and source of great pride for our firm.”

To see the entire list of notable projects, click here.