Hello Reader,

Last week, my website decided to take an unplanned break—so rather than send out a newsletter with broken links, I hit pause. Ah, the joys of solo entrepreneurship... sometimes things don’t go as planned, and you just have to roll with it.

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The upside? That means this week, you get two new episodes of Practice Disrupted:

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🎙️ Lattice Over Ladder: A New Model for Leadership in Design – We explore how leadership in architecture is shifting from a rigid hierarchy to a more dynamic, inclusive model. Listen now​

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🎙️ Michael Ford on Hip-Hop, Innovation, and Representation in Practice – A deep dive into how hip-hop culture is shaping architecture and why representation in design matters. Listen now​

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Since March is Women’s History Month, it’s also the perfect time to reflect on the women who are redefining architecture, design, and leadership. Whether it’s pushing for greater representation in practice or shaping the future of emerging technologies, women are playing a critical role in transforming our industry. In that spirit, I recently wrote about Women Defining AI and why diverse perspectives are essential in shaping the future of technology. If AI is going to be built for everyone, we need more women leading the charge. Read the post and join the conversation: Women Defining AI​

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Thanks for joining the conversation.

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Keep learning and growing,

Evelyn M Lee, FAIA | NOMA Founder, Practice of Architecture & Host, Practice Disrupted & Fractional COO

/// PoA Podcast - Practice Disrupted ///

Architecture, And: Michael Ford on Hip Hop, Innovation, and Representation in Practice How can Hip Hop and Architecture create a more inclusive future? In this episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee sits down with Michael Ford, architect, entrepreneur, and founder of the Hip Hop Architecture Camp. Known as "The Hip Hop Architect," Michael has dedicated his career to increasing diversity in architecture by using hip-hop as a tool for education, storytelling, and activism. The conversation begins with Michael’s journey into architecture and the origins of the Hip Hop Architecture Camp. This nationwide initiative introduces underrepresented youth to design through the lens of hip-hop culture. He shares how the camp has evolved over the past nine years, leading to scholarships, mentorship programs, and even international collaborations. Listen Here

Lattice over Ladder, A New Model for Leadership in Design How can firms rethink leadership to create more equitable career paths? In this episode of Practice Disrupted, we explore a new approach to leadership development in architecture with the team from FIFTEEN Architecture & Design. Firm founders and team members share how they’ve challenged traditional hierarchies by implementing a flexible, inclusive leadership model that prioritizes mentorship, career growth, and impact-driven design. The conversation begins with Ximena Valle, AIA, LEED AP, founding principal of FIFTEEN, as she reflects on the motivation behind launching the firm. Listen Here

/// Practice Community + LAB /// What we're reading and sharing ///

​Carbon Leadership Forum: Model Embodied Carbon Specifications - The Carbon Leadership Forum has conducted material benchmark reports on common building materials every two years. The reports contain research on the embodied carbon intensity of some of the most commonly used, and highest volume building materials.

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​Pacaso: Own Stock in Vacation Homes Ownership - Here's your opportunity to own stock in Home Ownership, although in the community we discussed other financing opportunities for capital projects including community projects.

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​WorkLife: Employers rethink captive audience meetings - amid workplace politicis - Issues that were once considered purely operational or administrative—like workplace policies, public health guidelines, or even discussions about company culture—have become intensely political, making it all the more significant to see how California is taking a stand with legislation that shields employees from mandatory participation in these increasingly polarized conversations.

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​A Resulffing of Priorities at the GSA Rattles Architects - The General Services Administration (GSA), historically a patron of innovative and sustainable federal architecture, is undergoing significant shifts under the current administration.

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​How to Assess the New Legal Risks of Your DEI Policies - The legal landscape around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies is shifting due to new executive orders and regulatory scrutiny. While core equal employment opportunity (EEO) laws remain unchanged, new federal mandates have ended affirmative action for federal contractors and increased the risk of litigation against DEI programs.

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Every article we share in our newsletter can be found in the Practice Community + Lab.

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