Architecture for Change: Vince Myers on Legacy, Community, and Opportunity

Architecture is often seen as a technical profession—blueprints, buildings, and construction timelines. For Vince Myers, president and co‑founding principal of DIGroup Architecture (DIG), and principal in charge of the Senior Living Studio, it is something far more human. Architecture, he believes, is a tool for empowerment, storytelling, and social change—especially in communities that have historically been underserved. Myers reflected on his career, his legacy, and what young people—particularly students of color—should know about entering the field.

Myers’ connection to architecture began long before graduate school or professional licensure. As a child, he watched his father, E. Harvey Myers, work at a drafting board in their home. E. Harvey Myers would later become one of the first African American architects licensed in New Jersey—an extraordinary achievement in the mid‑20th century. “My father was self‑taught and completely driven,” Myers recalls. “What stayed with me wasn’t just what he did, but how he did it—through discipline, passion, and persistence,” Myers says.

That early exposure shaped Myers’ sense of possibility. Watching his father build a business in a profession where few people looked like him helped Myers understand something critical at a young age: seeing someone succeed makes success feel real. “Sometimes it’s not about being taught directly,” he says. “It’s about seeing what someone else is capable of doing—and realizing you can do it too.”

DIGroup Architecture, through its predecessor firm, was retained by CUNY and York College to renovate and modernize two science laboratories at York. The project included a full renovation of both a chemistry lab and a biology lab, each designed to support hands-on learning, updated instructional technology, and contemporary research requirements. These upgrades improved lab functionality, safety, and flexibility, reinforcing York College’s commitment to providing students with high-quality learning environments.

Over more than four decades in architecture, Myers has worked on schools, libraries, higher‑education facilities, and civic spaces throughout the Northeast. One project, however, stands out as a turning point—the Cicely Tyson School for Performing and Fine Arts in East Orange, New Jersey. The school was developed under New Jersey’s Abbott v. Burke ruling, which sought to address educational inequities in underfunded districts. For Myers and his firm, the project represented what architecture could accomplish when aligned with community need.

“To see students performing alongside professional artists on opening night was incredible,” he says. “That’s when it really hit me—the power of architecture to change lives.” The success of the project wasn’t just about a beautiful building. It was about creating space that amplified the talents already present in the community.

DIG’s guiding philosophy—Architecture for Change—is rooted in the belief that design must be deeply connected to people. “The process matters just as much as the building,” Myers explains. “You don’t just show up, design something, and leave. You listen. You attend meetings. You stay connected. That’s how trust is built.”

This approach resonates strongly with college students, especially those interested in careers where community engagement and creativity intersect. Myers emphasizes that meaningful architecture requires collaboration—not only among designers and engineers, but also with the people who will ultimately use the space. “When people walk into a building and say, ‘This feels like it was made for us,’ that’s success,” he says.

Despite progress, Myers is candid about the lack of Black representation in architecture. He sees exposure and mentorship as essential to changing that reality. “Most students don’t know architecture is even an option,” he explains. “If they’ve never met an architect, how would they?”

Through DIG’s long‑standing involvement with the ACE (Architecture, Construction, and Engineering) Mentor Program, Myers and his team work directly with high‑school and college students, offering mentorship, internships, and open access to their offices. “Sometimes one conversation is all it takes,” he says. “One visit. One speaker. That spark can change someone’s entire trajectory.”

For York College students considering architecture, design, or related fields, Myers offers practical and honest advice.

First: find the right environment. “Don’t settle,” he says. “Find a firm that respects you, challenges you, and supports your growth. And find a mentor—you will need one.”

Second: understand that architecture is broad. “There are designers, technical experts, graphic designers, interior specialists, project managers, marketers—you don’t have to fit one mold,” Myers explains. “Architecture opens doors to many different paths.”

Finally, he encourages students to think beyond immediate outcomes and focus on purpose. “If you like the idea of creating something that didn’t exist before—something people live in, learn in, and feel proud of—this is an incredible profession.”

Now celebrating 20 years of DIGroup Architecture, Myers continues to prioritize impact over recognition. Yet for him, the most meaningful moments remain simple. “When you open the doors to a building and people walk in and just gasp—that never gets old,” he says. “That’s how you know it mattered.”

For York College students, Myers’ story is a reminder that careers are not just built through credentials, but through legacy, perseverance, and a willingness to open doors for others—once you’ve walked through them yourself.