Study Architecture 
ProPEL Aug. 7-8, 2025 in Charlotte, NC | Sep. 11-12, 2025 Virtual
2025 Summer Conference
Navigating
Navigating
In an era marked by increasing complexity, conflict, and rapid change, educators must act as navigators—to pursue new pathways and possibilities in our discipline and to instill navigational skills in our students. This conference examines shifting social, political, and institutional landscapes as sites for reorientation, transformation, and reconciliation at all scales, and across pedagogy and practice. The 2025 ACSA Summer Conference supports knowledge-sharing across the authors and presenters accepted into the ACSA/EAAE Teachers Conference, Conflict : Resolution, and welcomes additional participants to engage in open discussion to collectively navigate the challenges ahead.
The in-person conference, hosted by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, will take place on August 7–8, 2025, followed by virtual sessions via Zoom on September 11–12, 2025.
Charlotte Schedule-at-a-Glance
In-Person: Aug. 7-8, 2025
Thursday, August 7, 2025
| 1:00pm-2:30pm | Concurrent Sessions |
| 3:00pm-4:30pm | Concurrent Sessions |
| 5:00pm-6:00pm | Opening Plenary |
| 6:00pm | Reception |
Friday, August 8, 2025
| 9:00am-10:30am | Concurrent Sessions |
| 11:00am-12:30pm | Concurrent Sessions |
| 12:30pm-2:30pm | Plenary (Lunch Provided) |
Virtual Schedule-at-a-Glance
Virtual: Sep. 11-12, 2025
Thursday, September 11, 2025
| 12:00pm-1:30pm | Concurrent Sessions |
| 2:00pm-3:30pm | Concurrent Sessions |
| 4:00pm-5:30pm | Concurrent Sessions |
Friday, September 12, 2025
| 12:00pm-1:30pm | Concurrent Sessions |
| 2:00pm-3:30pm | Concurrent Sessions |
| 4:00pm-5:30pm | Concurrent Sessions |
Opening Plenary
Residential Centric Development & Design
This opening keynote will explore how residential-centric planning and design can shape equitable, resilient neighborhoods, with a spotlight on Charlotte’s Historic West End—a community rich in culture, legacy, and transformation.
Featuring leaders from the Charlotte Knight Foundation, Historic West End Partners, Neighboring Concepts, and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), this panel will examine how collaborative efforts across philanthropy, grassroots leadership, architecture, and community investment are driving thoughtful development that centers residents, preserves history, and supports long-term vitality.
Through case studies, design strategies, and community-based frameworks, panelists will share how the Historic West End serves as a model for inclusive growth, celebrating heritage while innovating for the future.
Charles Thomas
Knight Foundation
Thomas Bio
Charles Thomas joined the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation as the Charlotte Program Director in February 2016. The Knight Foundation’s mission is to foster informed, engaged, and equitable communities in the 26 cities where the Knight brothers owned and operated newspapers. Thomas leads a program of work focused on fostering and supporting equitable resident led development in the Historic West End district. Under his stewardship, Knight Foundation has invested over $50M in grants in the Historic West End, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, Uptown Charlotte and in local arts and journalism.
Raised in Charlotte, Thomas is the former executive director of Queen City Forward, a hub for entrepreneurs who have business ideas that address social needs. As founding executive director, he was responsible for launching the organization and building programs to catalyze and support social entrepreneurship and civic innovation.
Prior to leading Queen City Forward, he served as the education director of The Light Factory Contemporary Museum of Photography and Film. During his tenure he expanded the museum’s outreach program, increasing impact and earned revenue. He began his career working as a consultant for Andersen Consulting.
A professional photographer, Thomas co-published a book of photography and stories with author Valaida Fullwood titled “Giving Back: A Tribute to Generations of African American Philanthropists.” In addition to winning the 2012 Terry McAdam Book Award, Thomas and Fullwood partnered with Johnson C. Smith University to create and launch a traveling exhibition titled the “Soul of Philanthropy: Reframed and Exhibited.”
He serves on the Charlotte’s Arts and Culture Advisory Board. He is Chair of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library board of trustees. He is an active member of the New Generation of African American Philanthropy giving circle and he serves on the board of the Joshua Project, a rites of passage program for young men.
Thomas earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Duke University. He lives in Charlotte with his wife, Micaila Milburn, and their three sons.
Cathy Morrison
Neighboring Concepts
Morrison Bio
Cathy Morrison is the CEO of Neighboring Concepts, a Charlotte-based architecture, interior design, and urban design firm. With nearly 20 years of experience, she is recognized for her leadership in community-centered design, equity in the built environment, and transformative public infrastructure. Her work spans healthcare, transit, education, and civic spaces—anchored in inclusive engagement, contextual sensitivity, and sustainable design strategies. Under her leadership, Neighboring Concepts delivers impactful projects that reflect the lived experiences and aspirations of the communities they serve.
Beyond her practice, Cathy is deeply committed to public service. She currently serves on the City of Charlotte’s Business Advisory Committee and the board of directors for Nourish Up. She also leads in the profession as President of the North Carolina Board of Architecture and Registered Interior Designers and as NCARB Region 3 Director.
Cathy’s professional and civic leadership has earned her numerous honors, including the NCARB President’s Medal for Distinguished Service, AIA North Carolina’s Deitrick Service Medal, and the AIA Charlotte Citizen Architect Award. In 2025, she was elevated to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects. She holds dual master’s degrees in Architecture and Geography from UNC Charlotte and a B.S. in Architecture from the University of Maryland, College Park.
J’Tanya Adams
Historic West End Partners
Adams Bio
Adams is the Historic West End Partners Founder & Executive Director. Historic West End Partners is a grassroots 501(c)(3) business district organization. Established in 2010, it is our mission to advocate for cultural preservation and economic development stimulation in the Historic West End. Through our partnerships with businesses, residents, institutions, property owners, and investors we’re contributing to a vibrant future for West End families and entrepreneurs. Interested in living, launching, or investing in the corridor?
Celebrated for its legacy, personality, and potential, the Historic West End is an 8.8 mile historic African American corridor. A gem on the edge of Uptown Charlotte, it is home to some of the city’s longest standing black-owned businesses and communities. Committed to the continued progress of the corridor and its residents, Historic West End Partners leads the effort for the commercial district’s advancement.
Ralphine Caldwell
Local Initiatives Support Corporation, LISC
Caldwell Bio
Ralphine Caldwell is a seasoned community development champion with over 30 years of experience in mortgage lending, real estate, and neighborhood revitalization. She has led strategies regarding neighborhood revitalization, fund development and community outreach as well as managed a team focused on homeownership counseling and education, financial self-sufficiency for families, consumer engagement and affordable housing lending.
Ralphine currently serves as Senior Executive Director of LISC Charlotte, which opened in March 2019. Since then, she has led the deployment of over $106 million to support affordable housing, small business growth, and grassroots capacity-building. Under her leadership, LISC Charlotte has leveraged $383 million—benefiting 8,400 residents, building or preserving 3,104 affordable housing units, and supporting 372 small businesses—all in a relatively short period of time.
In 2019, under Ralphine’s leadership, the $50 million Charlotte Housing Opportunity Investment Fund (CHOIF) was launched, financing 1,927 affordable housing units, with 95% reserved for low- to moderate-income families in under three years. The fund’s success has since sparked the creation of a second housing initiative to address Charlotte’s deepening housing needs.
A native of Laurens County, South Carolina, and a graduate of Winthrop University, Ralphine is deeply passionate about giving back and strengthening communities. Ralphine actively serves on U.S. Bank’s National Community Advisory Committee and the Leading On Opportunity Council. Mentorship is a core passion for Ralphine; she dedicates significant time to guiding emerging nonprofit leaders through the Black Leadership Social Capital Initiative, where she mentors, coaches, and advocates for the advancement of Black professionals in the nonprofit sector.
As an active philanthropist, she is a proud member of the New Generation of African American Philanthropists, a giving circle focused on reshaping Black philanthropy through collective investment.
She was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, a prestigious state-level role that amplifies her commitment to housing equity and policy advocacy across North Carolina.
Lunch Plenary
Navigating
In an era marked by increasing complexity, conflict, and rapid change, educators must act as navigators. How are institutions successfully addressing changing policy, funding, and navigating the shifting national landscape? What is at stake for academic freedom and free speech? What are the impacts of legislation and policies on your teaching and research?
Blaine Brownell (Moderator) | Noah Ameris | Sarah O. Edwards | Deborah S.K. Thomas |
Questions
Michelle Sturges
Conferences Manager
202-785-2324
msturges@acsa-arch.org
Eric W. Ellis
Senior Director of Operations and Programs
202-785-2324
eellis@acsa-arch.org
