2023 AIA Wisconsin Golden Award: Marion Clendenen-Acosta, AIA, NOMA

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["i"],["a",["href","https:\/\/aiaw.org","target","_blank"]]],"sections":[[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Architect Marion\nClendenen-Acosta, AIA, NOMA, EDAC, LEED BD+C has been selected to receive the\nprestigious 2023 Golden Award from AIA Wisconsin, the state society of the\nAmerican Institute of Architects (AIA). "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The Golden Award is the highest honor\nthe professional organization can bestow upon a member architect. The award\ndistinguishes dedicated leaders in architecture and celebrates contributions to\nthe advancement of the profession."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Born on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin\nIslands, Marion Clendenen-Acosta\u2019s life journey is an interwoven tapestry of\nculture, community, creativity, and career. \nWithin her Bobo Shanti Rastafari culture, the daily creed advocates, "],[0,[0],1,"\u201c\u2026let\nthe humble be fed, naked clothed, sick nourished, aged protected, infants cared\nfor"],[0,[],0,"\u201d. Clendenen-Acosta\u2019s personal\nand professional accomplishments as well as her volunteerism are driven by\nthese principles."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Marion Clendenen-Acosta,\nAIA, NOMA, is a Project Leader and Associate Principal at Kahler Slater.\nThroughout her 30-year career, Marion has worked on Corporate, Hospitality,\nHigher Education, and now primarily Healthcare, Women\u2019s Health, and Senior\nLiving projects, serving clients in Wisconsin, Virginia, Maryland and Canada.\nShe is the first licensed Black female architect in the state of Wisconsin, and\na service-oriented leader who uses her position to inspire current and future\narchitecture professionals."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Clendenen-Acosta\u0027s\npassion for architecture began at St. Croix\u2019s Central High School, driven by\nher interest of the history of the Mayan temples, Egyptian pyramids, and the\nrich cultural heritage of her birthplace. At 16, she began her college career\nat Carroll University, transferring to complete her Bachelor of Science in\nArchitecture from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Upon graduation, she\nworked at Connolly Architects for two years before beginning her tenure at\nKahler Slater."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"For over 20 years, Clendenen-Acosta\nhas actively mentored K-12, college students, young professionals and industry peers\nthrough one-on-ones, guest lectures and presentations, workshops, and career\nand leadership development advocacy. She was instrumental in championing\nWisconsin\u2019s first NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) chapter; founded\nin 2019. She served as president of\nWisco NOMA in 2020 and 2021. Her\nleadership guided the organization through the pandemic and launched the\nWisconsin DEI Challenge in collaboration with AIA Wisconsin. This effort\nprovides Wisconsin architecture firms with resources and accountability in\nsupporting a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. Her work has\ndirectly encouraged deepening relationships between various design entities in\nWisconsin, including NOMA, NOMAS, AIA WI Architecture in Schools, Women in\nDesign, UW-Milwaukee SARUP and AIA Wisconsin. Clendenen-Acosta\u2019s recent community\nvolunteerism also includes City of Milwaukee Historic Preservation Commissioner\n(2013-2020), EABIC Women Freedom\nLiberation League - treasurer Milwaukee office (2014 - present), City of Milwaukee Love Your Block (2020), Executive Women\nInternational Philanthropy Director (2020-2021), and Defining Humanity board\nmember (2023-present)."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"In addition to\narchitecture, Clendenen-Acosta exercises her artistic expression through her\nlove of textiles, costume design and fabrication. Marion worked for many years outfitting\nperformers at City Ballet Theatre, UW-Milwaukee Dance Dept, Ko-thi African\nDance Company, Milwaukee Ballet, Danceworks and Theatre Gigante. She reflects\non her life\u2019s work, sharing:"]]],[1,"blockquote",[[0,[0],1,"\u201cAs I step back\nand look at the communal tapestry that is my life, I recognize that the threads\nof experiences and connections have interwoven to give beautiful shape to the\nlegacy that I\u0027m a part of. I see these experiences as building blocks in\npreparation for the next evolution because there is more to be done, as my part\nof the tapestry is not yet finished. The work is ongoing. As the Wisconsin DEI\nChallenge continues to evolve, I look forward to continuing to make an impact\non the profession, while doing my part to uplift our community and pave a\nsmoother way for future generations.\u201d"],[0,[],0," -\nMarion Clendenen-Acosta, AIA, NOMA "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The Golden Award\ncommittee voted unanimously to honor Clendenen-Acosta with the 2023 Golden\nAward stating, "],[0,[0],1,"\u201cAfter\nreviewing the excellent nomination information highlighting Marion\u2019s many\naccomplishments and telling her story, the committee believed the choice was\nclear. We found Marion to be an excellent choice for AIA Wisconsin\u2019s highest award\nfor service to the profession and organization upholding the true spirit of\npromotion of diversity and growth of architects and architecture.\u201d"],[0,[],0," "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Clendenen-Acosta will be\nhonored at the 2023 Design Awards Gala hosted by AIA Wisconsin on Friday,\nSeptember 15, 2023, at Milwaukee\u2019s Mitchell Park Domes. The event is open to\nthe public and tickets will go on sale in early August at "],[0,[1],1,"aiaw.org"],[0,[],0,"."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"With over 1,600 members,\nAIA Wisconsin represents architects in private practice, business, industry,\ngovernment, and education. Founded in 1911, it is the state society of the\nAmerican Institute of Architects. The first Golden Award was conferred by the\nWisconsin Society of Architects in 1986."]]]]}