Bio:

The Great designer, Linda williams is the first African American female to graduate from the Boston Architectural College with a Master of Design Studies in Historic Preservation in 2014. For 5 years I gave tours of North Omaha showing off works designed by Omaha’s first African American Architect, Clarence Wigington. I have been protecting Wigington’s works for 15+years.

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How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?

My step father was a contractor who had a weird table in the basement of our home. I asked him what it was and he said a drafting table. He would draw houses and build them. He allowed my sister and I to paint our rooms with color of our choice.

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What do you do?

I am a Projects & Services Coordinator for the Winnebago Comprehensive Healthcare System/Twelve Clans Unity Hospital. I assist with projects getting built for the hospital.

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What excites you in the work you do?

I know as people of color we’re supposed to be very angry, right now, but I am fascinated that all kinds of people; with all kinds of ethnicities and backgrounds take part in building America.

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Who or what inspires you professionally?

Wigington. He tried to become licensed, but was unsuccessful. I plan to finish what he started.

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What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?

As an intern for the UNL (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) Culture Center; which eventually became the Jackie Gaughan Multi-Cultural Center.

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Featured Project Name: 

Who will speak for me? Presentation

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Featured Project Location: 

North Omaha, Nebraska

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Featured Project Completion Date: 

Ongoing

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Role in Featured Project: 

Advocacy Presenter

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Featured Project Description:

Protecting works designed by Omaha’s first African American Architect, Clarence Wigington. I sat on the REO (Restoration Exchange Omaha) committee to get N. 24th and Lake Streets designated as an historic black business district.

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Photography Credit:

Minnesota Historical Society, ‘Cap Wigington-A Legacy in Ice and Stone; David Vassar Taylor & Paul Clifford Larson, Linda Williams

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