The Medical Associates Building

Robert P. Madison: The Architect

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 architect 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, including the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the American Embassy in Senegal, Cleveland Browns Stadium, and buildings for Cuyahoga Community College and Cleveland State University.

Source: https://designingvictory.com/

Medics, Inc. The Physicians

In the spirit of cooperative economics, nine trailblazing black medical professionals pooled their resources and founded Medics, Incorporated in 1958 as a real estate holdings corporation organized to fund the development of the Medical Associates Building. This visionary group of physicians–denied permanent office space at the unofficially white-only mainstream institutions–commissioned Robert P. Madison to design a healthcare facility that catered specifically to the needs of the African American community in Cleveland, Ohio. Madison & Madison, the first registered African American architecture firm in Ohio, conceived of the project as a symbol of the African American community's resilience and strength, as well as a beacon of hope and progress for future generations. The building itself was a marvel of modern architecture, featuring bold, clean lines and innovative design elements that were ahead of their time. 

Despite the challenges they faced, the African American physicians who commissioned the Medical Associates Building remained steadfast in their commitment to improving the health and well-being of their community. Their legacy should continue to inspire and motivate healthcare professionals today, reminding us of the importance of community collaboration, innovation, and social responsibility.