Young woman sets record at US university, becomes first black woman to earn PhD in Architecture

Danielle earned her Doctorate degree from the Manoa School of Architecture at the University of Hawaii, United States. Her groundbreaking accomplishment as the first black woman to obtain this degree has filled her with a range of emotions, from excitement to the sense of trailblazing. She is fully aware of the encouragement her achievement provides for other Black women aspiring to enter the field of design.

Nov 6, 2023 - 08:46 Updated: Nov 6, 2023 - 09:42

Danielle McCleave has made history by becoming the first black woman to achieve a Doctorate degree in Architecture from the University of Hawaii (UH), marking a significant milestone in the field of architecture.

Danielle earned her Doctorate degree from the Manoa School of Architecture at the University of Hawaii, United States. Her groundbreaking accomplishment as the first black woman to obtain this degree has filled her with a range of emotions, from excitement to the sense of trailblazing. She is fully aware of the encouragement her achievement provides for other Black women aspiring to enter the field of design.

Danielle's educational journey began with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, where she focused on sculpture and painting, obtained from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. She furthered her studies at the University of Hawaii, Mānoa, where she gained recognition by winning the Hawai'i Architectural Foundation award for her thesis on housing, titled "Redesigning the Hood: Using Culturally Aware Wellness as a Tool to Inform Architectural Design."

While Danielle celebrates her achievement, she is also deeply aware of the underrepresentation of black individuals in the architecture industry. Out of the 116,242 architects in the United States, only 2% are Black architects, and just 0.4% are Black females. Danielle's hope is that her journey serves as a source of motivation for the black community to become more involved in architectural design.

Danielle emphasizes the importance of representation, as seeing oneself in others who excel in various fields can be a powerful motivator. Her journey is an encouragement for women and people of color to pursue careers in architecture and design.

In addition to her architectural pursuits, Danielle is a certified yoga instructor and has a deep connection with nature. She enjoys outdoor activities such as surfing, hiking, snorkeling, and skating.

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Danielle acknowledges the support of her loved ones, teachers, family, friends, and peers who have helped her succeed. She looks forward to the future of the UH Manoa School of Architecture, aiming for it to become more diverse, inclusive, and equitable.