Renowned
architect Robert P. Madison refuses to take "no" for an answer
— especially when he is told he cannot do something just because
of his race.
As chairman and chief executive officer
of Robert P. Madison International Inc. (RPMI), he has been instrumental
in the designs of such structures as the Cleveland Browns football stadium
and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His company is the first African-American
architectural firm in Ohio.
Born in Cleveland, Madison graduated from
high school and entered Howard University’s School of Architecture.
His education plans were cut short when he left school early in 1943 to
serve in World War II. While serving in the U.S. Army, Madison was injured
and received the Purple Heart and three battle ribbons.
After the war, when he tried to enroll
in Western Reserve University’s School of Architecture, Madison
was told by an admissions officer that black students were not allowed
to attend the architecture school.
Robert P. Madison
Madison, a war veteran, did not take this sitting down. He
left, changed into his uniform (which was adorned with his Purple Heart), returned
to the school and pleaded his case by saying, "I shed my blood over there
to preserve this democracy, and you’re telling me I can’t go to
school here?" Needless to say, he went on to become the school’s
first African-American graduate.
"Work to be the
very best, succeed or not."
His next problem surfaced once he completed
his studies — no one would hire him because he was black. After a brief
teaching stint, Madison started RPMI in 1954.
Madison is also a graduate of Harvard University,
where he received his master of architecture degree. The former Fulbright
Scholar values education and has made provisions to ensure other students
have the same opportunity by establishing a scholarship fund at the Cleveland
Foundation.
In addition to providing financial support
to students pursuing careers in architecture, Madison also offers the following
advice: "Work to be the very best, succeed or not. You are among the
elite who abhor mediocrity and all that it represents."
