As a profession, architecture is not a poster child for diversity. But it could be, and we are committed to making it so. If we want to see lasting change, we must continue to fuel the momentum that incredible organizations like NOMA have created.

Our decade-long relationship with the National Organization of Minority Architects is an important part of ZGF’s multi-faceted plan to drive Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in our industry. Even through the pandemic, we continued to show up in ways big and small for Project Pipeline, SoCal NOMA’s Annual Summer Camp in Los Angeles and the accompanying ZGF Shadowing Program, the Annual Conference, the NOMA Foundation Fellowship, and the NOMA DEI Challenge, in which we participate across multiple offices and consistently achieve in the top tier.

“I represent many architects who didn’t think they originally had a place in this profession,” said Mitra Memari, partner. “Today, as a partner at ZGF—a firm that is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion—I can assure them that they do belong. But it is thanks to important organizations like NOMA that they can see and experience this truth for themselves from an early age.”

While our work is far from done, ZGF was named 2022 Firm of the Year by NOMA’s Southern California chapter for our support and contributions to the organization. We couldn’t be more honored and inspired by this recognition.