Black Moderns

Black Moderns is a resource for teachers, scholars, and anyone interested in the history of African American architects in the modern movement. While always a small percentage of the architecture profession, Black architects shaped modernism from its first decades. On the campuses of historically Black colleges and universities, in private homes, at African American churches, and in community-oriented spaces, Black modernists created buildings that embodied the efficiency, experimentation, and innovation of modern architecture. While on the architectural leading edge, such architects also found in modernism a language of freedom, autonomy, and even liberation.

A challenge in telling the history of African American modern architects is the lack of documentation of their works. Such projects were rarely published in architectural journals or in contemporary and historical texts. Major photographers rarely photographed them. Black Moderns is a modest effort toward making images available so people can study and learn about these works. The site will grow over time. Photographic contributions are welcome!

You may use all images non-commercially in any way you like as long as you credit their photographer (licensed under Creative Commons CC BY-NC).