February 19, 2025
Reading Time: 5 minutes
Newark, New Jersey
The remarkable history of Brown and Hale Architects, the first African-American architectural firm in the City of Newark, NJ of the 20th century.
Two Howard University alumni, William M. Brown Jr. and Reginald C. Hale formed this pioneering architectural firm in 1960, after several years of “moonlighting” (working for other architectural firms day and night). The two architects combined their distinctive and unique talents during a time in Newark, NJ when racial tensions were brewing and quality opportunities for well-trained and qualified minorities in various fields of work in the City of Newark were insufficient. The riots of Newark, NJ in 1967, although destructive, created new opportunities to construct new buildings and to develop livable communities.
In its illustrious 38-year career, Brown and Hale Architects designed and/or renovated a myriad of building types such as schools, churches, individual homes, housing projects, correctional facilities, health services buildings, apartment building alterations, bank renovations, governmental building alterations, community centers, office building renovations, bar renovations and a new bus garage.
In addition, Brown and Hale Architects served as a training ground for many African-American architects offering an opportunity to learn myriad aspects of architecture with the various building types and the wisdom, wealth of knowledge, and experience of the principal partners.
Brown and Hale also collaborated and conducted business with other African-American design professionals in landscape architecture, mechanical and structural engineering, model makers, renderers, artists and business leaders of New Jersey.
Both “Bill” Brown Jr. and Reginald “Hale” loved the profession of architecture tremendously and worked extremely hard enduring long hours on each project to derive a creative design solution, whether it was in designing, doing project research or producing the contract documents. They each possessed an ability to solve problems and collaborated and bounced ideas off each other. Although they did not always agree on every aspect of the business or design approach, they would always come to a consensus of what was best overall for the firm and the customer, thus displaying a true sense of teamwork. Hale was good in design, office management, business and building code interpretation. Bill was exceptional in marketing, writing specifications for a project and did most of the field supervision work. Each man had a specific role they played, sharing their gifts and talents. Both were very active in the community in different capacities, serving with pride and distinction, in order to make the firm successful and give back to the community.
William M. Brown Jr. was born in 1925 and was raised in the City of Newark, NJ. He attended Newark public schools and then entered the Navy (1943-1946). Bill then enrolled in Howard University in the School of Architecture in 1947. While at Howard University, Bill also played varsity football earning the nickname “Tackle Brown.” He graduated Howard University in 1952, with a Bachelor of Architecture/Construction degree.
Bill began work with Frank Grad and Sons of Newark, NJ (12 years). In 1953, Bill married Wilhelmina Dorsey and together they had three children, William M. Brown III, Leslie M. Brown (Joyner) and Lisa A. Brown (Freeman), god-daughter of Reginald C. Hale.
Bill developed a pragmatic approach to architecture, design, and to life, serving as an influential leader in improvements to the profession and the development of young Architects. William Martin Brown Jr., transitioned onto Glory on January 23, 1993. Community Service:
Reginald C. Hale was born in Portsmouth, Virginia in 1920. After serving in World War II in the United States Army from 1942 -1946 and honorably discharged as Captain, “Hale” as he was affectionately called entered the School of Architecture at Howard University in Washington, DC. He graduated Cum Laude and received a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1950.
Hale began working in an interior design firm in New York City, NY and other NJ architectural firms but primarily later worked for Katz and Metsky in East Orange, NJ where he established himself as an exceptional Architect. In 1959, Hale married Mamie “Gus” and together they have one son Ronald P. Hale.
Hale was a true pioneer and visionary and enjoyed a challenge in design. He was a gifted designer, developing creative designs for the Brown and Hale projects. Similarly, Hale was a good problem solver and building code interpreter. He even challenged local building code officials, zoning officers and BOCA which was the main building code governing authorities in Chicago, IL and often he would win! Hale had a true sense of African-American pride. He enjoyed crossword puzzles, photography, reading and computers. His favorite football team was the Cleveland Browns and his favorite player was the legendary Jim Brown. Reginald Carlyle Hale transitioned on to Glory on November 11, 2005. Community Service:
· Charter Member – Board Chairman of City National Bank, Newark, NJ (First African American Bank in the State of NJ)
· The Leaguers Inc., Newark, NJ
· The Greater Newark Chamber of Commerce
· Co-Chairman of the Interracial Council for Business Opportunity
· Architect’s Community Design Center, Newark, NJ
· Trustee for the Boys and Girls Club of Newark, NJ
· Lifetime member of the NAACP, Newark, NJ Chapter
· Newark Health Planning Advisory Council
· Emeritus Member of the American Institute of Architects
Our Past President, William M. Brown, III, FAIA, NOMAC, has been so generous to provide his telling of his and his father’s history. We are proud to share it HERE.
· Bethel Church of Morristown, Morristown, NJ
· Bethany Baptist Church, Newark, NJ – New Construction
· Humanity Baptist Church, Newark, NJ – New Construction
· St. Luke A.M.E. Church, Newark, NJ – New Construction
· Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Newark, NJ – Miscellaneous Renovation Projects
· St. John’s Baptist Church, Newark, NJ – New Construction
· Thirteenth Ave. School, Newark, NJ – New Construction
· Raphael Hernandez Elementary School, Newark, NJ
· Hawthorne Ave. Elementary School, Newark, NJ – Renovations
· Olive St. Elementary School, Newark, NJ – Window Renovations
· South St. Elementary School, Newark, NJ – Window Restorations
· Newark Public Health Services Building, Newark, NJ – New Construction
· City National Bank, Newark, NJ – Renovation
By Stacey Ruhle Kliesch, AIA, AIA NJ Advocacy Consultant | Posted in Diversity, EquityInArchitecture | Tagged: #AIANJBlackHistory, #BlackHistoryMonth, #Brown&Hale, #ReginaldCHaleAIA, WIlliamMBrownJrAIA | Comments (0)
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