This interview with Omar Bailey, AIA, NOMA, was initially published by AIA Arizona in January 2024.
Omar Bailey, AIA, NOMA, Senior Architect, Associate at Shepley Bulfinch in Phoenix, began a two-year term as the 2024-2025 president of the Arizona chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) in January 2024. He succeeded Maurita Harris, AIA, NOMA in that role. Bailey has been with Shepley Bulfinch in Phoenix for nearly five years after extensive experience in practice in both Chicago and San Francisco. A native of Brooklyn, Omar earned his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Virginia Tech. In this interview, Bailey describes his early inspiration, his current work, his outlook on leading NOMA Arizona, and describes the influence of his mentors.
Tell us about yourself. What should we know about you, and how did you get your start in the architecture profession?
I’m originally from Brooklyn, New York, and had dreams of being a comic book illustrator. An uncle saw my passion and curiosity in drawing, and encouraged me to pursue architecture. During college at Virginia Tech, I learned the importance of mentorship and having a network. My brother was a software engineer with Intel in Portland and, one evening, he went to a NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers) meeting and met a NOMA member, Prescott Reavis, and they sparked a conversation about how I was an architecture student looking for an intern position. Prescott happened to be there because his roommate at the time was an engineer and invited him along. My brother set up a meeting with Prescott and me, and we had a great talk that soon led to a summer internship for me. To this day, I don’t know where my architecture path would have taken me, but I had the pleasure of sitting side by side with Prescott Reavis and learned what it meant to refine your craft. Prescott is no longer with us, but his principles are always with me and I’m thankful every day for it.
What are the types of projects that you currently work on with Shepley Bulfinch? Describe a significant recent project that you worked on and why it is unique.
Currently, I am involved in our housing and mixed-use projects, each offering a significance beyond just structures within urban landscapes. What’s exciting to me are the urban revitalization endeavors, where neglected areas can be rejuvenated through our projects. What intrigues me about highrises is their capacity to foster community and connection vertically, while integrating with the local community.
One project that resonates with me is Moontower Phoenix, a multi-family high-rise recently completed at 811 N. Third Street near Roosevelt Row. A fundamental goal of LV Collective, the developer, was to blur the boundaries between public and private spaces, transforming the property into a node for the community. We crafted a lobby that coexists with the café on the ground floor. Every time I visit, whether it be morning or afternoon, offers a remarkable sight: both residents and members of the community engaging comfortably within the space, using it as a meeting point, study area, or workspace. Witnessing this interaction reinforces the meaningful impact our projects can have on fostering a sense of belonging and community engagement.
Why is membership in both AIA and NOMA important to you?
Belonging to both the AIA and NOMA signifies you are a member of a larger community. Many NOMA members also hold memberships in the AIA. One of NOMA’s core principles is a belief in creating pathways for future generations, offering opportunities for aspiring architects on their journey to licensure.
The AIA serves as my advocate, safeguarding my legal rights concerning contracts and registrations. NOMA embodies a sense of solidarity, where I’ve found solace in knowing that I’m not navigating the profession in isolation. Only two percent of licensed architects in the U.S. are Black. Knowing this, I had put pressure on myself early in my career to work harder. While this pressure and work ethic allowed me to achieve recognitions of which I am proud, this also burdened me with undue stress, fearing failure as if it were not an option. Attending my first NOMA meeting exposed me to shared experiences, demonstrating that I was not alone in my struggles. It revealed a community of successful individuals who had similar journeys and reinforced the importance of mutual support and belonging.
How have you seen NOMA Arizona evolve since you have been here? What would you want non-members to know about the organization?
NOMA, as a national organization, was founded in 1971 when 12 architects of color felt the need for more representation at the AIA Convention. They wanted to create an organization dedicated to the development and advancement of minority architects. Here, the NOMA Arizona chapter was founded in 2017 with 17 members under the leadership of Gary Nelson, AIA. At the end of 2023, NOMA Arizona had 110 members.
NOMA is an inclusive, multicultural, and multidiscipline organization. Our members are interior designers, accountants, landscape architects, engineers, business development professionals, architects, and general contractors, to name a few. We are passionate about serving our communities with initiatives such as Project Pipeline, which is a summer camp that exposes middle school students to architecture.
NOMA Arizona is also a resource for the current and next generation of design professionals. We are also committed to professional growth and work to make that a focus at our monthly meetings. One thing I’m very proud of in our chapter is its diversity. We are one of the most diverse NOMA chapters nationally. We acknowledge and celebrate all heritages.
What do you look forward to accomplishing in your two years as NOMA Arizona President?
In the next two years, I would like to see the NOMA Arizona chapter continue to grow. NOMA is a recognized voice in the Arizona AEC community, and many members of NOMA Arizona are members of other organizations. I’d like to see more collaborations between NOMA and our partners. Together, we can help open doors for each other and increase diversity amongst the professions. I also want to provide our emerging professionals with more tools and resources to help them succeed and glean from the lessons we’ve learned.
Can you name those who have been mentors or inspiration for your career? What has been their influence?
Prescott Reavis, who I noted earlier, served as my mentor, and played a major role in guiding me through my academic years and internship. In addition, throughout my career in various firms across the U.S., I’ve had the privilege of learning from remarkable women. Despite women comprising only twenty-three percent of licensed architects in the U.S., I’ve been lucky to have found positions that happen to be within women-owned businesses.
I have been lucky to work for and collaborate with women including Deb France, AIA, in Portland, Oregon, who served as the sole senior project manager between the Portland and San Francisco offices of HLM Design; Lisa Gelfand, FAIA, in San Francisco, who established her firm focusing on sustainable schools and affordable housing; and Ellen Bailey Dickson, FAIA, in Chicago, who transitioned her practice from small residential projects to large-scale higher education endeavors, has made indelible marks in the field. And now, at Shepley Bulfinch, I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with Carole Wedge, FAIA, and presently with Angela Watson, FAIA. I consider myself fortunate to have gleaned insights from these pioneers who have shattered the glass ceiling in the profession.