DURHAM, N.C. — Some dreams are always under construction.
One Black architect is designing a brave new world for tomorrow by laying a strong foundation today.
“For me, I think it is my fiduciary responsibility to give back. As an architect, as a citizen of Durham, and as a product of Durham Public Schools, the blessings that I’ve had were afforded to me by others giving back,” Fred Davis said.
Davis is the senior executive director of building services for the Durham Public School System.
“Give back to encourage those who look like me, that it’s possible to be in a profession that generally does not have individuals that look like me,” Davis said.
Most recently, Davis earned his architectural license. Not long after, he announced a new endeavor: a nonprofit architectural program called Licensed By Design.
“Future plans are to go around to Durham Public Schools to let children know who may not see a future for them that I too, was in their shoes,” Davis said.
One of his latest projects he has contributed to on is the new Murray-Massenburg Elementary School set to be completed by Aug. 2024.
Davis feels nothing but gratitude seeing the sweat and elbow grease of construction site workers enacting his designs.
“Because I want to give back to my community, so that they can see that it is possible for an African-American to achieve the goal of being a licensed architect,” Davis said. “I believe that representation matters, and as I continue my journey through this architectural profession, I knew that it was important for stakeholders to have professionals that look like me.”
According to the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, only 3% of new licensed architects in America are Black or African-American.
The 41-year-old is a product of the school district where he now is employed.
Davis said there is added motivation to recruit more Black and brown children into the field of architecture.
“It is my duty to give back,” Davis said.
That’s why Davis is putting 15 years of experience working in the public sector to use by starting Licensed By Design.
The theme of inclusivity resonates with Davis on many levels. Davis said one of his children is on the autism spectrum. Being the father of a neurodivergent child compels him to plan schools with children of all capabilities in mind.
“Putting special impetus on that is near and dear to my heart as well,” he said.
Seeing his ideas come to life as a father whose children attend the same school district he matriculated as a younger person is not lost on this Bull City native.
“Being a father of three wonderful children has made me pay special attention for how I want my child’s learning environment to be for the next 18 years,” he said.
Davis carried some of the blueprints for the new school to the work site. It’s no accident he is responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of every school building in the district.
“My love for architecture and the building environment is why I do this work. This is a public good and as architects, we are problem solvers,” Davis said.
His passion for creating the spaces where children learn has come full circle. As he actively and quite literally works toward a better future, his goal is talking to every fifth through 11th grader about becoming a black architect.
“I want to let them know that I too was in their shoes. I see myself as something that is tangible and something that is achievable,” he said.
The Durham Public School System continues to expand its number of schools because of the growth in the city and county. Davis is still working hard to get Licensed By Design off the ground. The goal will be to introduce the field at a younger age so that these young Black and brown children to build a pipeline through HBCU architecture programs, leading to internships at majority and minority architectural firms.
