McKissack & McKissack Vice President Lisa Anders recently spoke at the University of Maryland Riggs Alumni Center where she discussed her experience building the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

1. Photo credit: Robert H. Smith School of Business
Q&Awith a
Monument Maker,
Lisa Anders, LEED AP
Interview questions presented by
Dr. Sheri Parks, Associate Dean and Associate Professor
College of Arts and Humanities, University of Maryland

2. Q: The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
is the first memorial for an African
American within the National Mall and
the first major monument for someone
other than a president. What did it
personally mean to be responsible for
taking such a symbolic memorial from
concept to reality?
“I was living in Atlanta when McKissack reached out to me. Being called
to run a project on the National Mall was an honor, especially to build a
lasting memorial in honor of Dr. King. This will stand forever, just like the
Lincoln and Jefferson. I felt blessed to be called to lead this effort and had
a great sense of pride knowing that someone had enough confidence in
me to lead this effort.”

3. Q: How has The Martin Luther King, Jr. National
Memorial Foundation achieved their goal of creating
a living memorial?
“The Foundation achieved their
goal through the inscription wall.
All of the inscriptions are concise
statements that relate to the four
themes of hope, justice, democracy
and love. I asked, ‘why not peace?’
The Foundation’s response, “if you
have [hope, justice, democracy
and love], you would have peace.
What makes it a living memorial is
the words of Dr. King will forever
be relevant and will continue to
enlighten visitors through the ages.”

4. “The ultimate measure of a
man is not where he stands
in moments of convenience
and comfort, but where he
stands at times of challenge
and controversy.”
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
One of Lisa Anders’ favorite quotes by Dr. King

5. Q: The King memorial keeps powerful
company with the Jefferson Memorial and
Washington monument in nearby view. How
does the location enlighten and illuminate this
historic monument?
“In that, lies the beauty of the design. The sculpture of Dr. King, known
as the Stone of Hope, stands approximately 28 feet high and is visible
as you drive past the tidal basin. Its positioning is situated to allow just
a glimpse from the Jefferson Memorial, inviting you in to experience
the words of Dr. King.”

6. Q: What do you hope visitors will experience walking
through the memorial?
“I hope the design of the memorial
will evoke emotion—from walking
through the passage between the
Mountains of Despair, looking at
the water, Jefferson and Stone of
Hope, to reading the inscriptions.
Then there is the importance of the
cherry blossoms that will bloom
every year around the time of Dr.
King’s death. The memorial stands
at 1964 Independence Avenue, a
nod to the Civil rights Act of 1964
that outlawed discrimination based
upon race, religion, sex, nationality.
So yes, I hope every visitor has an
emotional experience after visiting
the memorial.”

7. “Make a career of humanity.
Commit yourself to the noble
struggle for equal rights. You
will make a greater person
of yourself, a greater nation
of your country, and a finer
world to live in.”
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
One of Lisa Anders’ favorite quotes by Dr. King

8. Q: Were you aware of the decades-long struggle of establishing
an African American museum on the National Mall and if so,
how did that inform your construction process?
“It takes a long time to secure space
on the National Mall. The Smithsonian
Institution (SI) had to secure the rights
to build on National Park Service land.
Once the land was under control by SI, it
allowed the construction process to have
some relief from the typical permitting and
construction city review process. However,
there were a lot of hurdles as it relates to
gaining approval from Commission of Fine
Arts, National Capital Planning Commission
and historic preservation, that were
incorporated into the project schedule.”

9. Q: The Museum of African American History and Culture sits
right next to the Washington Monument, and will likely be the
last museum constructed on the National Mall. What are some
of the factors to consider when constructing a building for
such an iconic site?
“There are three factors to consider: (1)
Sensitivity to the surrounding structures
and making the design fit in to the fabric
of the Mall. The angle of the corona was
designed to be the exact angle of the top
the Washington Monument. (2) Ensuring
the museum is not too overpowering.
As a result, two-thirds of museum is
underground. (3) Lastly, being able to
enter the museum at grade on both sides.

10. Q: The museum is intended to cover more
than 400 years of African-American history and
culture. How do you go about constructing
an iconic structure that must convey such a
complex and significant history?
“Collaboration, communication and listening! Selecting a project
manager, design team, and construction team that understands the
sensitivity of the client. Everyone needs to understand why the design
is as it is. This building pushed the imagination of all team members.
Together they achieved success. In the beginning it is important
to understand what the client desires to have in the museum. The
program influences planning, logistics, cost and schedule. The tricky
thing about this museum was that the artifacts had not been procured
prior to the beginning of design. The design evolved and construction
had to adjust to accommodate the development of the exhibits.”

11. Q: What do you hope visitors will take away after their visit to the
museum?
“I hope visitors will better understand the
historic struggles of the Black American and
acknowledge that it still influences the condition
of race relations today and recognize that the
playing field is still out of balance. There was a
tremendous level of perseverance required to go
from slavery to presidency. I want every visitor to
accept that this country was built (physically and
financially) by the hands of African Americans,
both through human trafficking and cultivating
the land. Perhaps if they just walk away with
empathy and being less judgmental in their
thoughts. Give someone a break and stretch out
a helping hand.”

12. Q: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and
The National Museum of African American
History and Culture are powerful structures
that can start important conversations on the
importance of the American experience. How
do you feel architecture can act as a force for
social change?
“Architecture and building design can influence emotion, creating
a space that induces reaction and incites conversation. I believe
the average person utilizes and functions within a building without
being aware that the very design of the structure and interior space
has created a mood or initiated a conversation. Architecture that is
thoughtful and incorporates the meaning and mission of the facility in
the design can be an agent for social change. Architecture can help
to change behavior, create neighborhoods and energize a community
and bring it to life. Successful designs can leave a lasting visual
impression to the visitor long after they exit the facility.”

13. Photo credit: Robert H. Smith School of Business
Q: What are your thoughts on the future of architecture to spur social
change?
“Architecture and thoughtful planning can be a
major catalyst to social change and economic
prosperity. However, it is not architecture alone,
social change happens when we work together
and set out to make a major impact in the
community and in our world.”

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