10-24-2021 Women to Watch - Flipbook - Page 20
NAKITA REED
37, associate at Quinn Evans
Growing up in Fairfax, Va., Nakita Reed was often perplexed why
there were homeless people when there was an abundance of vacant
homes. Now as an award-winning architect with experience in preservation, restoration and adaptive use of historic buildings, she is attempting to close the gap by reviving these once beautiful structures.
Reed is helming the Upton Renaissance Project, which will renovate 38 homes in Baltimore’s historic Upton neighborhood. So far, six
homes have been completed with the remainder of the project scheduled to finish in 2024.
“I love the idea of putting a building back into functional use,” said
Reed, who has dual master’s degrees in architecture and historic preservation from the University of Pennsylvania. “It is rewarding. And it
is exciting. I love a good before and after. It is great to see something
turned back into something that is vibrant.”
Reed, who lives in Bethesda, joined Quinn Evans’ Baltimore office
as an associate in 2019 after cofounding a boutique women-owned
firm in 2012.
“Her enthusiasm as an architect with a passion for sustainability
and historic preservation is inspiring,” said Anath Ranon, principal at
Quinn Evans. “We have all benefited from Nakita’s keen interest for
interconnecting ideas, places, practices and people.”
Reed’s work not only combats redlining and other racist practices,
it also aims to restore historically Black neighborhoods and promote
generational wealth and homeownership within Black communities.
“Buildings are not blighted,” she explained. “Design and renovation
of these buildings can change the narrative.”
Reed further delves into these topics through her podcast, Tangible
Remnants, which was launched in 2020.
“I talk about the intersection of architecture, historic preservation,
sustainability, race and gender,” said Reed, who has released 14 episodes with another eight episodes recorded and soon to be released.
“There is this narrative that people of color haven’t contributed to the
build environment. That couldn’t be further from the truth.”
— John-John Williams IV
PHOTOS BY LLOYD FOX
MONA BECKER
50, mayor of Westminster
When Mona Becker moved to Westminster in 2003, she didn’t hesitate to
get involved. Whether she was taking music classes or serving on the City
Council, she stayed busy. She was recently elected to be the first female
mayor of Westminster. Though honored by the title, Becker said her focus
is on the community.
“It’s just been nice to see … so many people excited about the things
happening in town,” she said.
Her time as a public servant in Westminster has come full-circle. She is
now seeing projects she helped start as a council member — the renovation of Wakefield Valley Park and the water reuse project — come to fruition as mayor. Becker said she is looking forward to expanding Ting, the
city’s internet service provider, to people outside the city. And having a new
city administrator.
“I think the council has become re-energized,” the mayor said. “We’re
motivated to get things done.”
— Kristen Griffith
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