Silcott, James

Pathfinding architect and philanthropist James “Jim” Silcott, FAIA, passed away July 17, 2025, at the age of 95 in Washington, DC. Services will take place at Howard University Dunbarton Chapel, West Campus, 2900 Van Ness Street, NW Washington, DC 20008 on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 11am with early visitation at 10am. Repass from 1 to 3 at The Oliver, 2715 Georgia Avenue, NW WDC 20011.

Interment will take place in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Inglewood Park Cemetery.

In early 2020 James had a stroke which impacted him significantly; But James was a fighter. He moved to DC and lived his remaining years under the careful watch of his amazing nursing staff. James died peacefully in his bed on the morning of July 17, 2025. James is predeceased by his parents, Louise and Joseph (Chris) Silcott, his sister Ceceila O’Gara (nee Silcott) and his brother T. George Silcott (Kathleen Duffy Silcott). “Uncle James” is survived by his seven nieces and nephews: Julie Silcott Roberts (George Giamas), Tracy Delduco, Brian Silcott (Karen Healy Silcott), Larry Cain, Kurt Silcott (Chantelle Silcott), Ava Gustafson (Randy Gustafson), and Bill Silcott; and their children and grandchildren: Shawna, Adam, Andrew, Kaylee, Jada, Shiyah, Cameron, Demarco, Fox and Nasir.

James Silcott, was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. He enrolled at Howard University in 1949 and left to serve a 3-year tour of duty in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He rose to the rank of sergeant before being honorably discharged and returned to Howard University to complete the 5-year Bachelor of Architecture professional degree. After graduating from Howard University in DC, Silcott was one of the first Black architects hired by the Los Angeles County Department of Architecture and Construction. Silcott went on to a highly successful career that propelled him to several city and county-wide appointments to key community boards and commissions by L.A. mayors Richard Riordan and Tom Bradley. He was a principal of Kennard Design Group Architects, formerly the largest Black-owned firm west of the Mississippi River in the U.S. The firm was the lead architect on numerous large and consequential building projects across the city and county that served the needs of L.A. communities.

Over the course of his entire professional career, James Silcott never waned in his devotion to his Howard University alma mater. He maintained a second residency in DC and a continuing presence at Howard that included a six-year term as a full member of the Howard Board of Trustees. His over $3 million of financial support to Howard’s School of Architecture made him the nation’s foremost Black philanthropist in support of increasing the number of Black licensed architects in the U.S. His generosity to the School included a $1million gift to create an annual endowed chair faculty position. This is still the only endowed academic position in the nation at an HBCU-based architecture program. His support also created the T. George Silcott gallery and lecture hall at Howard.

James Silcott held licenses to practice architecture in the states of California, New York, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia. In recognition of his life’s work, the American Institute of Architects elevated him to full membership in the prestigious College of Fellows.

James Silcott’s legacy lives on not only in the buildings he helped bring to life, but also in the doors he opened, the minds he nurtured, and the lives he uplifted.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites memorial contributions to Howard University, Mr. Silcott’s beloved alma mater, to honor and continue his enduring legacy within the Department of Architecture. Gifts may be directed to support the James E. Silcott Endowed Chair fund (E200512).

Donations may be made online at https://giving.howard.edu/givenow by typing “James E. Silcott Endowed Chair” into the designation field. Checks should be made payable to The Howard University and mailed to: The Howard University, P.O. Box 22960, New York, NY 10087-2960. Please include the gift designation in the check memo. All contributions are tax-deductible charitable gifts.