Her Story
About Asia
I've been working as an architectural designer for three years, after completing six years of education. In my current role at HOK+ROSSETTI, I work on architectural models utilizing Revit, collaborating with my design team to build sports stadiums, training facilities, and Detroit-based projects. My educational journey took me through the University of Detroit Mercy, where I earned my Bachelor's of Science in 2023, my Master's of Architecture in 2024, and my Master's of Community Development in 2025. During my undergraduate years, I studied abroad in Poland, which allowed me to travel all around Europe and see different cultures and ancient architecture, which really shaped my perspective on how I do my work now. For my master's thesis in architecture, I was able to give back to a youth program that I once attended, holding workshops there and teaching young kids about architecture, learning about what they needed, and that ended up becoming part of a master plan for that youth program. I'm also the founder of SHE DZNS, a brand I created to support Black women in the architecture field. Through this work, I've been able to connect with young girls and boys, teaching them about architecture while also learning about what they want in their neighborhoods. I completed a Hip Hop Architecture Fellowship where I traveled around the country teaching young kids about hip-hop architecture. Beyond my architectural work, I'm also a content creator and content strategist, helping architecture organizations promote their events and initiatives. I'm known around Detroit as the Scooter Girl because I get around the city on my scooter.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Asia
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say the people who surrounded me, like the community organizations I was in, professors, my family. They're really the ones who supported my success. My family's always there for me at every event, every panel that I talk at, every speaking event. They're always there to support me through all that. I grew up in a rough neighborhood, so one of my main values is to always give back, no matter what I'm doing, because a lot of people gave back to me, and that's what got me to where I am today.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best piece of advice I ever received is to always have a standard for yourself, and don't let anybody change that about you. Set goals and things for yourself, and don't let nobody alter what that is, or affect what that is.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say, for one, you're capable of anything and everything that's possible. There were times where I could never see myself where I am today, and sometimes the things that you want to do don't seem achievable. But you just have to keep pushing yourself and believe in yourself in order to get to where you are. Always trust your gut.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is that there are not a lot of people like me in my industry. There's less than 2% African Americans, and for Black women, it's less than 0.2%, so there's only around 650 licensed Black female architects in the entire country. Being able to change that is probably my main focus. But I also see an opportunity in growth and shaping how the industry is being run. For example, the first Black female president of the AIA was elected like a year and a half ago, and that opened up a lot of opportunities to showcase a change in culture in the industry. I can see that as an opportunity for me, using my content creating and branding skills to change the way architecture is looked at. Currently, people like buildings, but they really don't know a lot about the architecture field itself, so being able to shape how that looks, to invite people into the career and not make it seem so cut-theme, could be an opportunity.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
For me, I grew up in a rough neighborhood, so one of my main values is to always give back, no matter what I'm doing, because a lot of people gave back to me, and that's what got me to where I am today. So I always give back. If I'm doing any event or working on any project, it always has to affect someone else in a positive way.
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