Lesley Lokko's Biography

Lesley Lokko is a renowned Ghanaian-British architect, academic, and novelist celebrated for her transformative impact on architecture and diversity within the built environment. Born on April 19, 1964, Lesley has consistently broken barriers as a woman of color in a male-dominated field. She is the founding director of the African Futures Institute in Accra, Ghana, which aims to reshape architectural education across Africa. Lokko is also an accomplished author, with several best-selling novels including 'Sundowners' and 'Bitter Chocolate', which explore themes of identity, culture, and belonging. Lokko’s career in academia is as distinguished as her literary achievements. She served as Head of the Graduate School of Architecture at the University of Johannesburg, and later, as Dean at City College of New York, where her resignation in 2021 drew global attention to issues of systemic racism in academia. In 2023, she made history as the first woman of African descent to curate the Venice Architecture Biennale, further cementing her legacy. With a net worth estimated at $800,000 in 2024, Lokko's income comes from academic roles, public speaking, and book royalties. She is an outspoken advocate for social justice and diversity, earning prestigious awards such as the OBE and the RIBA Annie Spink Award. Lesley Lokko's enduring influence continues to inspire new generations of architects and writers around the world.