The Freelon Group Emphasizes Diversity Expansion

Lew Myers
919.941.9790

11/10/2003

Research Triangle Park, NC - The Freelon Group is committed to improving diversity within the architecture profession. With less than 2% of the licensed architects in the US being African American, The Freelon Group is constantly opening their doors to interns from all backgrounds to inspire and educate these young individuals to pursue their dreams of becoming architects.

"Here at The Freelon Group, we realize that our visibility in the community affords us the opportunity to introduce the profession of architecture to folks who might otherwise have little or no exposure to the design professions," says Phil Freelon, FAIA, founder and president. "We take pride in the success of our outreach efforts and the accomplishments of the interns who have been associated with the firm through high school, college and into the professional arena. Janeen Harrell and James Utley are two recent examples of this career path. We are proud of their accomplishments and look forward to their ongoing contributions to the firm and to the profession."

Janeen A. Harrell began working for The Freelon Group as a student intern in the summers following her sophomore year while attending Hampton University in Virginia. Upon her graduation from college with a Bachelor of Architecture degree, Harrell was promptly hired as a full-time architectural intern. Harrell knows she was born to be an architect, and she insists that The Freelon Group only reinforced that notion. "My view at The Freelon Group has been panoramic, and I've become part of a first-class organization, from design philosophy to client and consultant interaction to employee treatment," said Harrell. "The Freelon Group recognizes the importance of providing quality experiences for its interns and in allowing the intern to develop his or her own voice."

James Stacy Utley, another student intern, has also been deeply affected by the invaluable experiences he has had working at The Freelon Group. Like Harrell, Utley has now made the transition from student intern to full-time architectural intern. While still in high school, Utley met founder Philip Freelon at an American Institute of Architects Minority Scholarship competition, this began an eight-year relationship that led to enrollment at the College of Design at NCSU, summer internships, and finally full-time employment at the firm. Now that he is in his second year with The Freelon Group, Utley reminds himself, "I still have a lot to learn as I continue to pursue and enhance my proficiency in the level of details and excellence that The Freelon Group and this profession require."

Phil Freelon sees value in expanding the diversity of the profession, not only for his firm, but also for the architecture profession as a whole. "Opening up opportunities in the profession for all people ultimately makes for a better built environment for us all."

About The Freelon Group:

The Freelon Group is an architectural firm founded in 1990 by Philip G. Freelon, FAIA with offices in Research Triangle Park and Charlotte, North Carolina. The firm is dedicated to serving clients, the community, and its employees in a team environment, while providing quality design solutions for the benefit of all.

Through its on-time, on-budget delivery of high quality design projects, The Freelon Group has earned the respect and praise of both public and private sector clients with specialized design expertise in the area of Science and Technology, Education, Museum, and Cultural Center projects. Projects currently in construction include the Maryland Museum of African American History and Culture, the San Francisco Museum of African Diaspora, the New Science Building at NC Central University, The Stone Center at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Partners III Research Center on Centennial Campus at NC State University.