The Whitney M. Young Jr. Award, conferred annually by the national Board of Directors, honors an architect or architecturally oriented organization that has contributed significantly to fulfilling the profession's responsibility to society.

The award is the namesake of the late civil rights activist and head of the Urban League, Whitney M. Young Jr., who made the oft-quoted remark at the 1968 AIA national conference in Portland, Ore: "You are not a profession that has distinguished itself by your social and civic contributions to the cause of civil rights. You are most distinguished by your thunderous silence and your complete irrelevance."

The profession since has steadily increased its social commitment and broken that silence by shining a light on architects especially committed to social good. One such architect—or architecturally oriented organization—will be publicly honored through presentation of the Whitney M. Young Jr. Award at the AIA convention in San Diego in May 2003.

Honorees can be active in many different fields of responsibility. The type of social issue applicable to the award purposefully is flexible to remain eternally relevant. Current issues might include housing the homeless/affordable housing, increased participation by minorities or women in the profession, access for persons with disabilities, and literacy. A list of recipients can be found below. They include a minister, many outstanding African-American practitioners, a college dean and several other architects known for their mentoring of students, a Native American architect who works with tribal communities to create architecture honoring ancient traditions, and Habitat for Humanity.)

Who is eligible for nomination?
Architects and architecturally oriented organizations who make a significant contribution toward social responsibility. (Current members of the AIA Board are not eligible.)

Who can nominate candidates for the awards?
Members of the national AIA Board of Directors or a component or PIA may make nominations for the Whitney M. Young Award. These people are willing and eager to take suggestions for nominees from other AIA members. For a list of current members of the Board, visit the AIA portal. Each PIA lists its own advisory group on its Web site. Go to the directory of PIAs to find their home pages, each of which lists its advisory group.

What is required for submission?
Each submission must contain:
• A nomination letter that summarizes the contributions made
• A brief biography of the nominee, including a list of offices, positions, honors, publications, and presentations that relate to the purpose of the award
• Exhibits, if appropriate for the nominee, to illustrate accomplishments that relate to the purpose of the award
• A maximum of 10 letters of support; letters should be explicit in their recommendation and contain specific reasons for support
• A black-and-white photograph of the person that is suitable for reproduction
• A signed intern declaration.

What format should the submission take?
All exhibits must be submitted in an AIA uniform binder obtained by contacting the AIA Honors and Awards Department, 202-626-7586 or thoaney@aia.org.

When are submissions due?
They must be postmarked no later than October 11, 2002.

Where do I send the submissions?
Send all submissions to the AIA Secretary, c/o AIA Honors and Awards Department, 1735 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20006-5292, Attention: Whitney M. Young Jr. Award

Why should I nominate someone?
In good measure, the future of this profession depends on our diversity and flexibility in meeting the challenges of changing societal needs. We need to recognize architect leaders who help heal communities and hold up their example for architects and the public alike.

How do I get more information about the Awards?
Contact the AIA Honors and Awards Department, 202-626-7586 or thoaney@aia.org, or go to www.aia.org/institute/honors.

Whitney M. Young Jr. Award Winners

1972 Robert J. Nash, FAIA
1973 Architects Workshop of Philadelphia
1974 Stephen Cram*
1975 Van B. Bruner Jr., FAIA
1976 Wendell J. Campbell, FAIA
1980 Leroy M. Campbell
1981 Robert T. Coles, FAIA
1982 John S. Chase, FAIA
1983 Howard Hamilton Mackey Sr.
1984 John Louis Wilson, FAIA
1985 Milton V. Bergstedt, FAIA
1986 The Rev. Richard McClure Prosse*
1987 J. Max Bond Jr., FAIA
1988 Habitat for Humanity
1989 John H. Spencer, FAIA
1990 Harry G. Robinson, FAIA
1991 Robert Kennard, FAIA
1992 Curtis J. Moody, FAIA
1993 David Castro-Blanco, FAIA
1994 Ki Suh Park, FAIA
1995 William J. Stanley III, FAIA
1996 John L. Wilson, FAIA
1997 Alan Y. Taniguchi, FAIA
1998 Leon Bridges, FAIA
1999 Charles McAfee, FAIA
2000 Louis L. Weller, FAIA
2001 Cecil A. Alexander, FAIA
2002 Robert P. Madison, FAIA

* honored posthumously

Copyright 2002 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.