The Brookline Fund to Increase Diversity in Architecture & Design

In Brookline, MA, under-resourced students of color often do not have access to information about design professions and have few opportunities to gain real-world experience in the field. At the same time, Brookline design professionals are challenged by the lack of diversity in their practices. This convergence of factors presents us with an exciting opportunity to create a model for real change. Mike Lindstrom, AIA, LEED AP and Murielle Vautrin, managed by the Brookline Community Foundation, created The Brookline Fund to Increase Diversity in Architecture & Design, in 2021, to help improve the field of design.

People of color are underrepresented in the fields of architecture and design. According to Alice Liao’s article series “Increasing Diversity in Architecture” in the journal Architect: “[T]he makeup of AIA members includes just 2% African Americans, 5% Hispanic or Latinx, 6% Asian, and less than 1% Native American.”

Brookline is uniquely positioned to create a model for real, impactful change. The community has an existing educational and mentoring infrastructure including Brookline High School, Brookline Teen Center (BTC), and Boston Architectural College, and a large number of professionals interested in the intersection of architecture, design, inclusion, and opportunity.

The Brookline Fund to Increase Diversity in Architecture & Design was launched to provide Brookline under-resourced students of color (rising juniors and seniors) with an opportunity to explore careers in architecture and design. This effort will consist in:

  • Opportunities to learn about design professions;

  • Hands-on experience through summer internships, scholarships for summer high school design programs, and a design lab with volunteers providing coaching;

  • Financial support

  • Ongoing mentoring & internship opportunities for students.

  • The application will open for submissions on January 1st and close June 8th. Applications can be submitted through this Google Form.

  • Applications will be reviewed upon submission. In coordination with Brookline High School, we will verify your eligibility for the fund. If you qualify, you will receive an email to schedule a virtual interview. If you do not qualify, you will be notified by email as well.

  • No! This fund is to provide an opportunity to explore careers in architecture and design.

“studioMLA Architects [Ashley McGraw Architects] first made me feel capable and welcome, as I have had my own peers say that my dream careers are ‘too hard’ and that I ‘won’t be able to do it.’ This experience made me realize, I want to study interior design, as well as landscape architecture.”
2022 Scholarship Recipient*

*After our program she attended the Harvard Black in Mentorship Program and had an internship at Perkins + Will for the summer. In Fall 2024, she started her B.S. in Architecture at Wentworth Institute of Technology.

“I learned about the different ways an architect can get accredited and how architecture school is like. I feel more confident in pursuing a path in architecture and feel a little more prepared for the stressful aspects of architecture school.”
2023 Scholarship Recipient**

**In Fall 2024, she started her Bachelor of Architecture at Syracuse University.

“It has simply reinforced my decision. I really look forward to pursuing architecture.”
2024 Scholarship Recipient

**In Fall 2025, she will be starting her B.S. in Architecture at Wentworth Institute of Technology.

Thank You to Our Partners!

If you have any questions about the Brookline Fund to Increase Diversity in Architecture & Design, please email Samantha Espinoza at espinoza@ashleymcgraw.com