Two African-American architects are among five Virginians who have been named to receive the top honor of the American Institute of Architects — induction into the AIA’s College of Fellows, the equivalent of its hall of fame.

Robert L. Easter and R. Corey Clayborne, both of the Richmond area, will be celebrated at the Region of The Virginias Fellows Fete on March 28 in Richmond and again at the AIA Conference on Architecture in Los Angeles in mid-May.

Mr. Easter, who currently serves as chair of the Hampton University Department of Architecture and as president of KEI Architects in Richmond, was cited as “a passionate, vocal and successful advocate for diversity and inclusion in the profession.

“His activism and leadership, including service as president of the National Organization of Minority Architects, inspires a stronger learning environment for students and emerging professionals,” the AIA stated.

Mr. Clayborne, executive vice president of AIA’s Virginia affiliate, deserves recognition, the AIA stated, for “creating a dramatically more diverse and sustainable leadership pipeline to the profession by accelerating the transition of students into practice, reshaping the path toward licensure and empowering young architects to leave a legacy.”

The inductees also include a third Richmond architect, H. Randolph Holmes Jr., president and senior principal at Glavé & Holmes Architecture, well known for adaptive reuse of historic buildings. Mr. Holmes was cited for creating “creating environ- ments and spaces that elevate the human spirit.”

The AIA also honored Gregory L. Rutledge, an architect in Norfolk, and W. Kenneth Wiseman of Northern Virginia.

According to the AIA, induction into the College of Fellows is granted to members for exceptional work and contributions to architecture and society. Only about 3 percent of architects in the field earn the recognition.