American Institute of Architects - Dallas Chapter, Latinos in Architecture

AIA Dallas Latinos in Architecture, founded in 2010, is a grassroots initiative that this year was awarded by the American Institute of Architects with the 2012 Diversity Recognition Program. LiA's mission is to serve and support our local communities; to strengthen relationships and networks between professionals in the filed of Architecture; to be a positive influence for Latino students aspiring to become Architects. We seek to find opportunities to get involved in community issues, providing guidance, expertise, and participating in mentoring programs. LiA's initiatives focus on Profession, Education and Community. LiA has an annual book drive: From an Architect's Bookshelf which has the goal of starting or expanding an architectural library at local schools in Dallas that have a high percentage of minorities enrollment. So far, LiA has been able to donate more than 1,500 books and over 500 magazines to local middle schools and high schools, some of which ha ve an Architecture career pathway program. LiA also has an annual traveling exhibition: ENLACES, which was created to celebrate the work of Latino Architects and Designers in Dallas. This exhibition has been on display at UT Arlington, Texas Society of Architects Convention in Dallas, Austin, the Dallas Center for Architecture, the Austin Center for Architecture and this year at the Latino Cultural Center. So far, this exhibition has been able to recognize the work of 49 professionals in the field of Architecture. LiA also offers Career Day programs, Architecture winter and summer camps, has brought lecturers from Mexico, and has participated in assisting communities such as La Bajada in West Dallas.