Our Mission
Black Architects in the Making (BAM) – Orlando Welcomes you! Our goal is to entice, excite, and encourage the younger generation of color, and those who identify as such, to pursue a career in architecture. We seek to accomplish this by hosting focused workshops, site visits, and hands – on development. In addition, BAM aims to offer internships and scholarships for architectural education, to promote diversity in the architectural community, and to encourage public awareness and appreciation of the built environment.
Meet the 2021 BAM Leadership
Malcolm Jones, Associate AIA
Chair
Malcolm is an Alumni of Florida International University, where he earned his Master of Architecture. While in school he involved himself in multiple organizations, such as the Black Student Union and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Through his involvement it allowed him to connect with the community, which is where he discovered his passion for serving. Outside of spending time with family and friends, Malcolm’s main interest is to create better opportunities for those who come after him.
Malcolm is an Alumni of Florida International University, where he earned his Master of Architecture. While in school he involved himself in multiple organizations, such as the Black Student Union and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Through his involvement it allowed him to connect with the community, which is where he discovered his passion for serving. Outside of spending time with family and friends, Malcolm’s main interest is to create better opportunities for those who come after him.
Briana Johnson, Associate AIA
Vice Chair
Briana is a Florida native and a University of Florida graduate with a Master of Architecture. She is passionate about the rehabilitation and regeneration of the local community and currently works for a local firm that focuses on municipal projects. Her involvement in BAM is another excellent opportunity to positively influence the community. She is committed to design and all things creative and aims to make an impact on the architectural profession as a young minority woman.
Briana is a Florida native and a University of Florida graduate with a Master of Architecture. She is passionate about the rehabilitation and regeneration of the local community and currently works for a local firm that focuses on municipal projects. Her involvement in BAM is another excellent opportunity to positively influence the community. She is committed to design and all things creative and aims to make an impact on the architectural profession as a young minority woman.
Arlenne Gil, AIA, NCARB
Secretary
Arlenne in an architect who was born in Havana and moved to Orlando at age 10. She began baking as a form of stress-relief while attending the University of Florida. She recently began to experiment with fancier cake and dessert recipes, while practicing new decorating techniques. She likes to travel whenever possible and explore new cultures, but also enjoys playing tourist in the both the cities that she now calls home. She is proficient in Spanish and English and can get by on some conversational French.
Arlenne in an architect who was born in Havana and moved to Orlando at age 10. She began baking as a form of stress-relief while attending the University of Florida. She recently began to experiment with fancier cake and dessert recipes, while practicing new decorating techniques. She likes to travel whenever possible and explore new cultures, but also enjoys playing tourist in the both the cities that she now calls home. She is proficient in Spanish and English and can get by on some conversational French.
Brittany Sosa, Associate AIA
Treasurer
Brittany is a University of Florida graduate with her Bachelor’s of Design in Architecture. She has architectural experience in mainly retail with some exposure to high-end, custom home building and a sprinkle of graphic design. She has also had the privilege of being able to travel around the U.S. as well as other countries to volunteer in times of need. You can catch Brittany on any given weekend riding her bike around town, practicing photography, and reading at a nearby park.
Brittany is a University of Florida graduate with her Bachelor’s of Design in Architecture. She has architectural experience in mainly retail with some exposure to high-end, custom home building and a sprinkle of graphic design. She has also had the privilege of being able to travel around the U.S. as well as other countries to volunteer in times of need. You can catch Brittany on any given weekend riding her bike around town, practicing photography, and reading at a nearby park.
Seher Hashmi, Associate AIA, LEED Green Associate
Historian
Seher passionately began her architectural studies at The Ohio State University and a few years later got her Master’s from University of Cincinnati. By never staying in one place, Seher has had the opportunity to live in Rome, Italy and even climbed Mount Vesuvius. She has also visited the kangaroos in Australia, hiked the Blue Mountains, explored the byzantine architecture of Istanbul, Turkey, and seen the beauty of the Aya Sofia. In other words, she likes to travel and this has inspired her in her work including the many more places architecture has taken her.
Seher passionately began her architectural studies at The Ohio State University and a few years later got her Master’s from University of Cincinnati. By never staying in one place, Seher has had the opportunity to live in Rome, Italy and even climbed Mount Vesuvius. She has also visited the kangaroos in Australia, hiked the Blue Mountains, explored the byzantine architecture of Istanbul, Turkey, and seen the beauty of the Aya Sofia. In other words, she likes to travel and this has inspired her in her work including the many more places architecture has taken her.
Trevor Boyle, AIA
Board Member
Trevor is an Orlando native, architectural enthusiast, and Lego addict. He received his Masters of Architecture from the University of Florida’s Orlando CityLab campus in 2015. Trevor started teaching drafting and design courses locally in 2012 for trade schools. Since graduation he has taught graduate level courses for UF in both Orlando and Sarasota and continues to stay involved in order to help empower the emerging leaders in the community. He is dedicated to his family, his hometown, and serving the local community.
Trevor is an Orlando native, architectural enthusiast, and Lego addict. He received his Masters of Architecture from the University of Florida’s Orlando CityLab campus in 2015. Trevor started teaching drafting and design courses locally in 2012 for trade schools. Since graduation he has taught graduate level courses for UF in both Orlando and Sarasota and continues to stay involved in order to help empower the emerging leaders in the community. He is dedicated to his family, his hometown, and serving the local community.
Natalie Casey
Board Member
Natalie is a practicing interior designer and emerging architect. She has always had a passion for reaching back into the community and inspiring children to reach beyond their current environment. During her undergraduate studies at the the University Florida she was involved in number organizations that sought to empower the minority communities such as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, NOMAS and served as Student Senator. While her undergrad degree is in Interior Design she is currently pursuing her Masters Degree and License in Architecture at UF’s City Lab IPAL program. She loves spending time with her family, outdoor activities and spontaneous day-cations.
Natalie is a practicing interior designer and emerging architect. She has always had a passion for reaching back into the community and inspiring children to reach beyond their current environment. During her undergraduate studies at the the University Florida she was involved in number organizations that sought to empower the minority communities such as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, NOMAS and served as Student Senator. While her undergrad degree is in Interior Design she is currently pursuing her Masters Degree and License in Architecture at UF’s City Lab IPAL program. She loves spending time with her family, outdoor activities and spontaneous day-cations.
Richard Domeshi Vanhorne
Board Member
Richard grew up on the beautiful Island of Jamaica. He was a natural athlete, one that allowed him to travel over the Caribbean Sea to study his passion, Architecture. Currently, he is pursuing his Masters of Architecture at the University of Florida CityLab Orlando. Having that solid foundation, he is continuously immersed in a mixture of cultures that seem to be present in my designs. He also trusts in the purest form of the design process, one that is both concept-driven and functional.
Richard grew up on the beautiful Island of Jamaica. He was a natural athlete, one that allowed him to travel over the Caribbean Sea to study his passion, Architecture. Currently, he is pursuing his Masters of Architecture at the University of Florida CityLab Orlando. Having that solid foundation, he is continuously immersed in a mixture of cultures that seem to be present in my designs. He also trusts in the purest form of the design process, one that is both concept-driven and functional.
Ka'Nard Robinson
Board Member
Ka’Nard is an Alumni of the University of Central Florida where he earned his degree in Marketing. He is currently enrolled in the University of Florida Graduate School of Architecture at CityLab-Orlando. While in school he was involved in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. His involvement allowed him to connect with the youth in the community. Outside of traveling and spending time with family, Ka’Nard’s main interest is to bring knowledge of architecture into minority communities.
Ka’Nard is an Alumni of the University of Central Florida where he earned his degree in Marketing. He is currently enrolled in the University of Florida Graduate School of Architecture at CityLab-Orlando. While in school he was involved in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. His involvement allowed him to connect with the youth in the community. Outside of traveling and spending time with family, Ka’Nard’s main interest is to bring knowledge of architecture into minority communities.