Curtis Moody, a Columbus native and founding partner of Moody Nolan, the country's largest African American architecture firm, has died at the age of 73.
Moody started the Moody and Associates firm in 1982. He then partnered with engineer Howard Nolan to create the Moody Nolan firm. Their work is visible around central Ohio and in other locations.
WOSU's Debbie Holmes discussed Moody's passing and legacy with Columbus City Councilman, Nick Bankston.
Debbie Holmes: So what do you remember about Mr. Nolan then and his partnerships with the city and his work?
Nick Bankston: Their family and him are titans and giants, and we have definitely experienced a loss. You know, I'm a Columbus kid through and through. And so I remember growing up hearing the name Moody Nolan, and the company and understood it intimately and even as a young black boy who didn't dream to be an architect one day, their legacy stood out to me, and gave me inspiration to one day to be able to be a changemaker in my own community. And so if you can think about all of the buildings that we see around our great city, he has had a tremendous imprint on that, and will continue to live in the legacy of those buildings that he's designed for so many great institutions. Like I said, I'm a great graduate of Columbus East High School, and he and Moody Nolan, their company, designed the new East High School, so it's forever part of my history and story for sure.
Debbie Holmes: I understand he also worked on Huntington Park, the Ohio Union at Ohio State University and the Columbus Metropolitan Library's Martin Luther King branch, just to name a few.
Nick Bankston: Yes, correct. And I guess you said those are just a few, but also not just here in Columbus, all around the country, as you mentioned, that is the largest African American architecture firm in the country. So his impact goes far beyond just Columbus.
Debbie Holmes: How large was his firm then?
Nick Bankston: I mean, I'm not sure how large it was then, but to see its growth and see how it has inspired so many other architects around the country is an inspiration. And Mr. Moody was really, I think, a quiet voice. He's always someone that I would reach out to for advice. When I decided to launch my political career, he was there to give me support as well. So he has been both in front, leading on a lot of things, but also behind the scenes helping to shape the Columbus you see today.
Debbie Holmes: How many other African-American owned architecture firms are there in Columbus?
Nick Bankston: That I do not know. I know that Moody Nolan is again, the largest and the most prominent, but unfortunately, I don't know that off the top of my head.
Debbie Holmes: Will this leave a void then? I understand his son is CEO of the firm, but will this leave somewhat of a void, though (in terms) his contributions and what he meant to the city?
Nick Bankston: I think that it will leave a void from a civic leadership standpoint, in that he was an instrumental changemaker and visionary. But like any great visionary leader, you set up your organization for success. And so he has done that with Jonathan Moody and the leadership at Moody Nolan. But also he has that legacy with the organization that you see. So I believe that we will dearly miss the man, Curtis Moody, but his imprint will go on forever, in that he truly has a legacy that will go far beyond his years. And I believe that Moody Nolan will continue to be a pivotal organization that will shape the fabric of our community moving forward.
Debbie Holmes: When you got the word that he was gone were you shocked then or did you know he was ill?
Nick Bankston: I was definitely shocked to hear it. I think that Mr. Moody was a private individual, but he is someone that has always been out there, and so I did not know that he was ill, so it was shocking news to me. I know his family personally, and I know the impact that he has made and how he's inspired so many across, not just Columbus, but across this country.
Debbie Holmes: Well, thanks so much. That's Columbus City Councilman Nick Bankston. Thanks again.
Nick Bankston: Thank you.
