As an architect and urban planner, Wendell Campbell believed that people don’t buy homes, they buy communities. That philosophy showed up in Campbell’s work in Chicago and other cities, as he designed plans for urban renewal projects and affordable housing.

Campbell’s career began in 1950s and, at that time, he faced racial discrimination that made it difficult to grow in the architecture industry. Campbell struggled to join the American Institute of Architects when he couldn’t find any other architects to give him a recommendation. That experience left a mark on Campbell, who became one of the 12 black founders of the National Organization of Minority Architects and the organization’s first president.

Black architects are underrepresented, but in recent years organizations such as NOMA have prioritized spotlighting their great work. In that spirit, we’ve gathered a list that highlights some of Chicago’s projects by black architects.