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Meet Robert P. Madison, the internationally acclaimed Cleveland architect who opened the first African-American architectural firm in Ohio, and his South Euclid-based co-author, Carlo Wolff.
As a decorated member of the historic Buffalo Soldiers, Second Lieutenant Robert P. Madison decided to enroll in the architecture program at Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, only to be summarily denied access based on his race. He returned in full dress uniform, with his Purple Heart from an injury sustained in Italy, and declared they could not keep him out of college. Under duress, he was admitted, but told by the administrators that he would never work as an architect. How wrong they were. Madison opened the first African-American architectural firm in Ohio in 1954, and only the 10th in the country. This was only the beginning of many accomplishments and contributions to American society.
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Robert P. Madison, FAIA, is an architect, entrepreneur, and civic leader. Born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1923, he studied architecture at Howard University before serving in Italy in World War II. Madison earned a B.A. in architecture from Western Reserve University and an M.A. in architecture from Harvard University, and completed additional studies as a Fulbright Scholar at L’Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. In 1954, Madison opened the first African-American architectural firm in Ohio. Major projects include the U.S. Embassy in Dakar, Senegal, the Engineering & Nuclear Facility at Tuskegee Institute, the Cleveland Public Library renovation including the Stokes Wing, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Madison lives in Shaker Heights, Ohio.
Carlo Wolff writes about popular culture, music, books, hospitality and travel. A contributor to the jazz magazine, DownBeat, he is the author of Cleveland Rock & Roll Memories, lead author of Mike Belkin: Socks, Sports, Rock and Art, and co-writer of The Encyclopedia of Record Producers. Wolff also reports and edits for newspapers and magazines. A native of Dallas, Wolff grew up in Columbus, Ohio and attended schools in the Boston area. He moved to Cleveland in 1986. Wolff lives in suburban Cleveland with his wife, Karen Sandstrom, two dogs and a cat.
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