Black architect Diébédo Francis Péré who was born into the ‘seventh least developed country’ Burkina Faso has broken record as the first black architect to win the Pritzker price for Architecture (2022), the highest award in the field.
Born in a home with no electricity, good water and other amenities, one would be amazed at the height he has attained for himself.
Fifty-six-year-old Royal blood rose to stardom after being the first to be schooled in his community. He has won lots of awards including the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (2004) (https://www.akdn.org/architecture/project/primary-school) for his first building.
His architecture (péré architecture) is one of sustainability and nature, a difficult one to achieve.
His story inspires hope in all Africans out there. This is enough inspiration that we can attain whatever heights we wish to, no matter the challenges. We will rise to whatever heights we wish to cause our skin is not our limit.
Congratulations to him and us all as our African blood breaks the record for us.
