A huge thank you to everyone who joined us on Thursday for our POC in Architecture talk as part of Black History Month 2025. The session brought colleagues from across all levels and departments together for a powerful conversation about representation in our industry.
For those who could not attend, POC in Architecture is a Community Interest Company dedicated to driving representation in architecture in the UK. Their mission, captured in their strapline ‘Bridging the Gap. Building the Future’, focuses on empowering the next generation of POC architects through mentorship, community, and meaningful support.
Trixie Bedwei (Project Lead) and Johannah Fening (Marketing and Comms Lead) delivered an eye-opening presentation that addressed the stark reality: only 1% of UK-registered architects are Black. This is not due to lack of talent or interest, but systemic issues in education, employment and the industry at large.
Trixie Bedwei
Project Lead, POC In Architecture
The talk covered their annual mentoring programme that pairs architecture students with practicing architects, alongside the events, resources and workshops they run to challenge the status quo. Most powerfully, we heard direct testimonials from their mentees Lateefat Sanni and Kanwulia Ilombu, who shared their personal journeys and experiences in the programme.
"The turnout was brilliant, from senior leaders right across all levels of the business. Sharing the platform with our mentees was the real highlight for us."
Johannah Fening
Marketing and Comms Lead, POC In Architecture
The session concluded with practical ways we can all support their mission, from mentoring and outreach to recruitment practices and procurement considerations.
Get involved and support POC in Architecture
Visit their website to learn more about their programmes and initiatives.
Follow them on social media to stay updated and help amplify their work.
Sharing their content and engaging with their posts helps raise awareness and supports their mission to build a more inclusive profession.
