This episode features an exciting conversation with Amber N. Wiley, PhD, who has just published her new book titled 'Model Schools in the Model City: Race, Planning, and Education in the Nation’s Capital' The interview covers various topics including the challenges and triumphs of writing her book during the pandemic as well as the history and architecture of black schools in Washington, DC. Amber also discusses her upbringing, the significance of black public high schools, and the efforts to get them recognized as national historic landmarks. The interview concludes with a look at Amber's future projects and her upcoming book tour events.

Amber N. Wiley Ph.D. is the Wick Cary Director of the Institute for Quality Communities. An award-winning scholar, Wiley has over 20 years of experience in teaching, research and professional practice in historic preservation, architecture and community engagement. She has dedicated her career to advancing the history and narrative of design and preservation in Black communities, as well as advocating for theoretically rigorous, thoughtful and inclusive expansions of preservation policy and practice. She currently serves on the board of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. Her first book, Model Schools in the Model City: Race, Planning, and Education in the Nation’s Capital was released by the University of Pittsburgh Press in April 2025. Her second book, Collective Yearning: Black Women Artists from the Zimmerli Art Museum is scheduled for release by the Rutgers University Press in May 2026.

Amber received her Ph.D. in American Studies from George Washington University. She also holds a Master’s in Architectural History and Certificate in Historic Preservation from the University of Virginia School of Architecture, and a B.A. in Architecture from Yale University. She is a native of Oklahoma City with roots in Washington, DC, Maryland, North Carolina, and Arkansas.

Learn More:

Purchase Model Schools in the Model City: Race, Planning, and Education in the Nation's Capital at www.ambernwiley.com and https://dchistory.org/events/book-talk-model-schools/

Watch Clips:

Walter Fauntroy, Urban Renewal and The Model City

Video Short: https://youtube.com/shorts/s_-AKvIGZfY?feature=share

We celebrate this 100th episode with the recipients of The DVC Memorial Scholarship. The 2025 recipients are Taylor Latimer (Harrisburg Memorial Award), Cheryl Dixon (DC Memorial Award), Makenzie Anane Elam (NOMA Award), and Leslie Aileen Ponce-Diaz (Honorable Mention). The conversation opens with introductions from long-time friends of Desiree (Nikolas Hill, Carol Smith Twyman, Morina Peterson, Katherine Williams), who reflect on her legacy and the challenges of navigating the architectural profession. Recipients share how they discovered the scholarship, often through networking at NOMA events, and speak candidly about balancing the demands of rigorous exams with professional responsibilities. Together they explore ways to expand the scholarship’s impact by suggesting resources for study materials, fostering stronger community ties among recipients, and establishing a shared network directory. The discussion concludes with heartfelt gratitude for the support and recognition the scholarship provides. This year’s recipients each received $1,410 toward their exams.

Makenzie Elam is a young black woman born and raised in Durham, North Carolina. She is a three time graduate from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, Master of Architecture and Master of Urban Design. Makenzie has a passion for teaching and mentorship of not just the next generation of youth, but the next generation of architects and designers. Makenzie currently volunteers at one of her local hospitals as a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Volunteer as a Baby Cuddler and a Girl Scout Troop Leader/Volunteer for one of the local chapters in her area.

A proud native ATL-ien and two-time alumna of Tuskegee University, Cheryl is an architectural designer, who provides a multidisciplinary approach to the built environment. With an affinity for design-build and hands on collaboration, Cheryl values opportunities to connect clients and industry experts to devise innovative solutions. Pairing her background in construction management with her strengths in architectural and interior design, Cheryl enthusiastically enjoys contributing to the full life cycle of a project, from schematic ideation and programmatic strategy to turn-key constructed implementation. Outside of work, Cheryl enjoys spending time with her parents and family, volunteering with graduate members of her sorority, traveling to live music performances, playing tennis, crate digging at vinyl record stores, and trying new vegan eats.

Taylor Latimer is a Designer at OCA Architects in Newark, New Jersey. With over seven years of experience in the Architecture field, she has contributed to a wide range of projects across the U.S., including mixed-use residential, educational, public, hospitality, and transportation developments. Taylor brings a distinct lens to her work—one rooted in cultural awareness, user empathy, and social impact. Her approach to design is grounded in the three pillars of sustainability: environmental responsibility, economic viability, and social equity. Taylor holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Carnegie Mellon University and a Master of City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University, with additional studies in business and real estate development. As the current President of the New Jersey chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), Taylor is a fierce advocate for equity in the profession. In addition to her professional work, Taylor is deeply invested in mentorship and education.

In this episode, Melisa shares her path to becoming an architect in St. Louis, Missouri and the importance of involving community voices in the design process. Melisa talks about her career trajectory, from her experiences in various firms to founding her own practice, BlackArc, which centers on community-driven design. She shares insights from her involvement in panels and fellowships, emphasizing her design philosophy's global inspirations. Melissa also reveals her teaching methods at Washington University in St. Louis which focuses on collaborative and contextual learning.

Melisa Sanders, RA, NOMA, SEED, is the founding Principal of BlackArc, a design collaborative advancing racial, economic, and social equity through community-centered design. A licensed architect, urban designer, educator, and advocate, she focuses on sustainable, equitable solutions for disinvested and BIPOC communities.

With over a decade of experience, Melisa’s work integrates architecture, urban design, and social justice, exploring design justice, trauma-informed design, and architecture as a tool for resistance. She mentors students in inclusive design practices at Washington University in St. Louis.

She has held leadership roles with STLNOMA, DeSales Community Development, and Design As Protest, advocating for anti-racist design. Named a Fellow of the Association for Community Design, she also serves as Director of Community Engagement for Counterpublic and was appointed by St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones to the Prop NS Stabilization Advisory Committee.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackarc.design/