Keeana DeShay, a first-year graduate student, has been the recipient of the 2026 AIA Chicago Foundation Diversity Scholarship.
Established in 2020 to attract and retain diverse, talented young professionals in Chicago, the scholarship recognizes the value of new and unique voices in the profession. The foundation awards up to 2 $10,000 scholarships annually, with each recipient receiving $5,000 per year for 2 years. Furthermore, each awardee is paired with an AIA Chicago mentor to receive ongoing guidance throughout their educational tenure.
Keeana says, I am grateful to be among the recipients of the 2026 AIA Chicago Foundation Diversity Scholarship. The sustained support and mentorship from the AIA Chicago Foundation will be integral for me as a graduate student. With this scholarship, I hope to go on to inspire and uplift future generations of diverse designers.
The AIA Chicago Foundation is a partner organization of AIA Chicago. With a membership exceeding 3,500 individuals, including licensed architects, architectural designers, and a broad network of industry partners and students, AIA Chicago is one of the largest and most influential local chapters of The American Institute of Architects in the country.