Marion Clendenen-Acosta’s journey is an interwoven tapestry of culture, community, creativity, and career.  Born on the island of St. Croix, Virgin Islands, Marion gained an appreciation for history, craftsmanship, and design at an early age. “Let the humble be fed, naked clothed, sick nourished, aged protected, and infants cared for” are integral Bobo Shanti Rastafari cultural principles that have influenced her personal volunteerism and 30-year career focus in healthcare architecture. As Wisconsin’s first African American licensed female architect, Marion Clendenen-Acosta understands the need for increased representation and is committed to broadening exposure of the profession, awareness, education and mentoring to minority youth and emerging professionals thru her work with AIA Architecture in Schools (K-12 workshops), UW-Milwaukee NOMAS, Wisco NOMA (Past President), Project Pipeline, Future Builders and the Wisco NOMA/AIA Wisconsin DEI Challenge (Co-Chair). Marion served on the City of Milwaukee Historic Preservation Commission for six years (Vice-Chair 2014, 2018; Chair 2015, 2019) and will bring her perspective and experience to the conversation as the team shares the grassroots advocacy and collaborative community efforts to bring to light the legacy of the Central City Plaza and Alonzo Robinson Jr., Wisconsin’s first African American architect.