LIVONIA – Students Josh Johnson and Roo McMillan, in Deborah Kawsky's independent study course on Detroit Art and Architecture, had the opportunity to meet a living legend last weekend. The two, pictured at left with 96-year-old Nathan Johnson, attended a Docomomo event that highlighted Detroit's black architects. Below left, Johnson is pictured with Kawsky and David Jarrett, pastor of Bethel AME Church in Detroit, which was designed by Johnson in 1972.
Saundra Little, pictured below center, gave a presentation at the event. She is a principal at the Detroit office of Quinn Evans architectural firm, and one of the .4 percent of registered architects who are black women. Because that statistic is so low, Kawsky coordinated the event to educate the public about pioneering architects like Johnson, to celebrate current architects like Little, and to inspire the next generation.
