Trailblazing Achievement
Danielle McCleave made history in 2022 by becoming the first Black woman to earn a Doctor of Architecture professional degree from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa School of Architecture, a remarkable accomplishment that broke barriers in a predominantly white and male-dominated field.
Nationally, the number of licensed Black architects in the U.S. sits at just 2% of 116,242. More strikingly, Black female architects represent only 0.4% of licensed architects, highlighting the profound underrepresentation of Black women in the profession.
“When I first found out I would be the first Black woman to obtain this degree, I was hit with a variety of emotions.”
– Danielle McCleave
A Multifaceted Journey
Before earning her doctorate, McCleave obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in sculpture and painting from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.
At UH Mānoa, she won the Hawaiʻi Architectural Foundation award for her thesis on housing, titled “Redesigning the Hood: Using Culturally Aware Wellness as a Tool to Inform Architectural Design.”
Promoting Diversity and Representation
McCleave’s achievement is significant not only for herself but also for the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, one of the most ethnically diverse architecture schools in the nation. Her milestone serves as an inspiration for more Black undergraduate and graduate students to pursue careers in architecture.
McCleave hopes her journey will encourage more women and people of color to enter the field of architecture and design. She strongly believes that great design should be accessible to all, and achieving that requires designers who deeply understand the communities they serve.
Looking Ahead
Moving forward, McCleave aims to continue her research on equitable housing and culturally aware design practices in architecture, while also incorporating her artistic background into her work.
Her passion and determination have paved the way for future generations of diverse architects, a testament to the power of representation and the importance of breaking barriers.
