02/26/2026
đź–¤ Celebrating a Trailblazer: Lynda Haith
Today we honor Lynda Haith, the first Black woman architect licensed in Michigan, a true pioneer whose path helped expand possibilities for architects of color in Detroit and beyond. After graduating from Lawrence Technological University, she became licensed in 1983 a milestone achieved just four decades after Beverly Lorraine Greene became the first Black woman in U.S. history to be licensed in 1942.
At a time when Black women were almost invisible in the profession, Lynda stepped forward with tenacity, graduating and becoming the first Black woman licensed to practice architecture in Michigan. She began her career in Detroit at firms such as Albert Kahn Associates and Griffin, Ward & Agee, and went on to found her own practice, HAITH Architecture, contributing not only to the built environment but also to a legacy of mentorship and representation.
Her work set the stage for the generations that followed. In a profession where less than 3% of licensed architects are Black and only about 0.4% are Black women, Lynda, Beverly, our very own Michele Robinson and so many others to follow are a testament to perseverance, passion, and breaking barriers.
We honor her legacy and continue building it.