UTA alumni lead National Juneteenth Museum project
University of Texas at Arlington graduates don’t just leave with a degree—they leave with the tools to make an impact in their communities.
Four UT Arlington alumni are doing just that. James Lawrence, Aleksandar Milenkov, Tobin Ezekwesili and Richard Long are playing major roles at KAI Enterprises, a national design-and-build firm with an office in Irving, and the executive architect for the National Juneteenth Museum coming to Fort Worth’s historic Southside neighborhood.
The degrees they earned at UTA equipped them with the skills, mentorship and real-world experience to take on state-of-the-art, sustainability-focused projects—and those, like this museum, with deep cultural and historical significance.
The 50,000-square-foot museum, projected to open in 2028, will serve as a global hub for discussions about freedom, education, preservation and celebration of Juneteenth. The holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston and informed the last remaining enslaved African Americans that they were free—, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
“The National Juneteenth Museum is a project that people fought very hard for and having it in Fort Worth makes it especially meaningful and close to my heart,” said Aleksandar Milenkov (‘03 B.S., Mechanical Engineering), principal of engineering at KAI Enterprises. “It’s something we are all very proud of at KAI.”
When it opens, the National Juneteenth Museum will be the only one in the country, built to honor the legacy of Juneteenth, which became a federal holiday in 2021.
The museum will also honor Opal Lee, 98, for her enormous contributions to making Juneteenth a federal holiday. Called the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” Lee, who grew up in Fort Worth, has devoted her life to securing national recognition of the holiday’s importance. In 2016, at age 89, she walked from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C., zigzagging through the South as part of her campaign. Lee and her supporters covered the 1,400-mile route at a pace of 2.5 miles per day, symbolizing the 2.5 years it took for the news of emancipation to reach Texas.
Lee’s Walk for Freedom continues in cities across the country each June. She has also been a leading voice for this project, serving on the Juneteenth Museum Board of Directors.
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“She’s an incredible woman, and I wanted to be part of this project in any way I could,” said KAI’s Lawrence (‘91 B.S., Architecture), who previously worked with Lee in the same Fort Worth neighborhood on a Habitat for Humanity project. “This museum is a huge opportunity to revitalize this neighborhood through the story of Juneteenth.”
Milenkov, who is originally from Macedonia and lives in Fort Worth, said the project—from its unique design and engineering challenges to its historic significance—is unlike any building he’s worked on in his career.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime project,” Milenkov said. “My son went to what is now I.M. Terrell Academy, and Opal Lee went to I.M. Terrell High School, so there is a special connection.”
Collaborating with design partner Bjarke Ingles Group—which conceptualized what the museum’s visual identity—as well as the local community and Lee herself, the team drew inspiration for the museum’s “12-point” design from the nova star on the Juneteenth flag. Meaning “new,” the nova star represents a new chapter for African Americans looking toward a more just future. The large, sloping rooftops echo the gabled rooflines that define the Southside neighborhood.
Floor-to-ceiling windows that wrap around the entire building will give it a modern, open atmosphere for showcasing artwork and other historical presentations.
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“A big part of my role is lighting design,” said Tobin Ezekwesili (‘13 M.B.A, Management; ‘08 B.S., Electrical Engineering), director of electrical engineering at KAI. “From deciding how much light needs to be on an art piece to making sure some spaces have dimmable lights that make the museum feel warm and welcoming—I want people to feel welcome, first and foremost, spend time in there, and see the meaning behind it.”
KAI Enterprises combines both architecture and engineering services—two fields for which UTA has earned a national reputation—and focuses on projects with a potential to transform communities.
UTA’s School of Architecture, within the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs, is one of only eight schools of architecture in Texas—and the only one in North Texas—accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. DesignIntelligence ranks UTA’s program 16th nationally based on the number of graduates hired by architecture firms.
The College of Engineering is a key contributor to UTA’s standing among the top 5% of research institutions in the nation as a Carnegie R1 university. It also ranks fourth among engineering schools at public universities in Texas, according to the 2025 U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges list.
“Learning at UTA is definitely a good steppingstone into this industry because it prepares you for the real world,” Ezekwesili said. “It laid the foundation for me to work on these kinds of projects. Now, I get to work on one that will go down in American history.”
Richard Long (‘00 B.S., Mechanical Engineering), KAI’s mechanical engineering subject matter expert, is tasked with ensuring the architectural vision comes to life. He said his UTA education gave him the skills and confidence to build a successful career.
“The depth and breadth of knowledge that UTA helped me develop has given me the ability to do anything,” Long said. “I’ll go up against anyone. That’s where UTA has gotten me.”
He beams when discussing the anticipated impact the National Juneteenth Museum will have on the Fort Worth community.
“This building is going to be an anchor point for that neighborhood and help propel it into the future,” he said.
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
Celebrating its130thanniversaryin 2025,The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a student body of over41,000, UTAis the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land GrantUniversities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.