December 12, 202655 Years of Shaping the Built Environment
For 55 years, DC NOMA has stood at the intersection of architecture, equity, and community — championing Black design professionals in our nation's capital and beyond. This December, we mark that legacy with an evening unlike any other.
The 55th Legacy Gala brings together architects, designers, educators, students, and allies to honor the individuals and practices who have defined what it means to build with purpose. Join us at Culture House DC — itself a monument to the power of art, resilience, and community — for a night of recognition, reflection, and celebration.
Culture House DC
700 Delaware Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20024
Saturday, December 12, 2026
6:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Attire: Cocktail / Black Tie
“The 55th Legacy Gala is more than a celebration of where DC NOMA has been—it is a reflection of the responsibility we have to shape where our profession and our communities are going. For 55 years, DCNOMA has created space for minority architects and designers to lead, advocate, and transform the built environment. This moment gives us an opportunity to honor those who built this legacy while investing in the emerging leaders who will carry it forward. We invite our members, partners, colleagues, and community to join us in celebrating this extraordinary milestone and imagining the possibilities ahead.”
2026 LGV Award Categories
Honoring Excellence Across the Profession
As part of the 2026 LGV Awards Gala, DC NOMA will recognize excellence, leadership, and impact in the architecture and design community through the following award categories:
Practice & Professional Excellence
Celebrating licensed architects, emerging talent, and firms whose work is setting the standard for the profession today.
Architect of the Year
Emerging Professional of the Year
Minority Firm of the Year
Project & Design
Recognizing built and unbuilt work that pushes the boundaries of design thinking and centers community impact.
Unbuilt / Visionary Design
Community Impact Design
Scholarship
Supporting emerging architects on their path to licensure through the DC NOMA ARE Scholarship.
ARE Scholarship
Pipeline, Education & Mentorship
Honoring the chapters, members, and programs building the next generation of Black design professionals.
NOMAS Chapter of the Year
DCNOMA Member of the Year
Legacy & Lifetime Honors
The pinnacle of the evening — appointed by the DC NOMA President to recognize a body of work and impact that transcends category.
President’s Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
Award recipients will be announced the evening of December 12th. Nominations are open.
evening at a glance
CHECK-IN6:30 – 7:00pm
OFFICIAL PROGRAM7:15 - 8:45pm
CELEBRATION RECEPTION9:00 - 10:30pm