MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Anna McCorvey
RA, LEED AP BD+C

Anna McCorvey: Designing for Equity, Empowering Community Voices

DC NOMA proudly spotlights Anna McCorvey, RA, LEED AP BD+C, a licensed architect whose mission-driven work exemplifies the transformative power of community-centered design. As the founder of the River East Design Center and current Senior Equitable Development Manager for the 11th Street Bridge Park project, Anna has made it her life’s work to ensure that underserved communities not only have access to great design—but also the tools and voice to shape it.

Rooted in Advocacy from the Start
Anna’s journey into architecture began with a keen awareness of the inequities in public housing. At just five years old, she observed stark differences between neighborhoods and schools in her city, an early recognition that would fuel her desire to create change through the built environment. That passion led her to earn a Bachelor of Architecture from Howard University and a Master of City Planning from the University of California, Berkeley with a focus in housing and community development.

Designing with Purpose
Anna’s early career included six years as a project architect working on affordable housing, childcare centers, and public facilities across the D.C. region—most located in communities that had long been underserved. These experiences galvanized her commitment to equitable design and led to the creation of the River East Design Center (REDC) in 2018. REDC is a nonprofit resource based in Southeast D.C. offering educational outreach and conceptual design services to empower residents of Wards 7 and 8 to participate in planning their neighborhoods’ futures.

Leading Equitable Development at Bridge Park
In her current role with the 11th Street Bridge Park, Anna manages a series of anti-displacement programs focused on homeownership, workforce development, small business support, and affordable housing. She brings both design expertise and a deep understanding of community needs to every initiative. Her work ensures the project not only connects neighborhoods physically—but also fosters inclusive growth and opportunity.

Recognition and Continued Impact
Anna’s impact extends into teaching, mentorship, and public engagement. She regularly leads workshops on community engagement, diversity in design, and participatory planning. In 2021, she was selected as a Public Interest Design Fellow by the Goethe-Institut and DC Public Library, and in 2023, she received the Wieb Award for Architecture in the Public Interest.

Life Beyond the Work
A proud resident of Anacostia, Anna is often found running along the river, traveling to new destinations, or tending to her front-yard garden. Her personal and professional life are intertwined by a consistent theme: using design as a tool for justice, dignity, and shared prosperity.

DCNOMA celebrates Anna McCorvey’s unwavering dedication to architecture that centers people, equity, and place. Her leadership reminds us that good design should never be a privilege, but a right—accessible to and shaped by every community.