Metro Detroit architect celebrates 30 years of contributions to Detroit's cityscape
(CBS DETROIT) - A Detroit native is helping to reshape the city and its skyline and breaking glass ceilings in the process.
Beverly Hannah is an anomaly in an industry where Black women represent less than 1% of the population. Hannah's defied the odds, founded her firm, and has no plans to slow down any time soon.
"It's a dream come true," said Hannah, founder and CEO of Hannah and Associates.
The dream was born here in Detroit. Hannah is a product of Detroit Public Schools and Lawrence Tech University.
"I'm a little girl from Detroit whose mother was a career guidance counselor who told me I could be whatever I wanted to be, and I believed it," Hannah said.
She also achieved it in a field where Black women represent only .4% of architects, and even fewer head their firm, according to the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, a nonprofit helping facilitate the licensure and credentialing of architects.
"Being the only Black female in the room, you have to get used to that, and it not be something that you even notice. You're just there. You belong there. You pull up to the table, you sit there, and you share your talents and your expertise," Hannah said.
Hannah and Associates helped Wayne County Community College expand, designing the Curtis L. Ivery Health and Wellness Education Center on Fort St. from the ground up. It's the firm's largest project to date.
"That's the crown jewel," Hannah said. "I want Hannah Architects to be an institution. I want it to be a place where young architects can come and learn and grow in the knowledge of architecture and really have an opportunity."