KAI News

KAI Marks 45 Years as One of the Nation’s Leading Minority-Owned & Led AEC Firms

KAI, one of the largest minority-owned and -led architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms in the country, is proudly celebrating 45 years of transforming communities.

Founded in 1980, KAI has grown into a multi-disciplinary firm with more than 160 architects, engineers, interior designers, builders and support staff. Headquartered in St. Louis, with regional offices in Dallas-Fort Worth and Atlanta, plus additional project offices across the U.S., KAI specializes in projects that span residential, commercial, education, healthcare, science and technology, aviation, infrastructure, civic and municipal, and community-focused sectors. Over 60% of KAI’s work is rooted in underserved neighborhoods, aligning with its mission to deliver design and construction excellence with social impact.

“We are diverse by design and transforming communities is at our core,” said KAI CEO Michael B. Kennedy. “But what sets us apart today is our ability to compete at the highest levels and bring creative, data-driven, and technically sound solutions to our clients. We’ve built a legacy over the past 45 years, and we’re only getting started.”

KAI’s identity as a minority-owned and -led firm is foundational, but its growth and reputation have long been defined by technical expertise, innovative delivery, and its ability to lead complex, community-centered projects across the country. As a full-service firm, KAI has demonstrated the leadership, scalability, and technical excellence needed to deliver transformative results, whether managing large-scale airport and convention center expansions, designing cutting-edge educational campuses, or modernizing critical infrastructure.

KAI’s excellence has been recognized industrywide. In recent years, the firm has received numerous accolades, including “Top Workplace” honors from multiple regional publications, the AGC’s national Diversity & Inclusion Excellence Award, and most recently a 2025 Dallas Business Journal ranking as one of the Top 5 Black-Owned Businesses in North Texas, highlighting the firm’s continued impact and leadership in the region.

A Vision Born in St. Louis

KAI’s story began with a 9-year-old Michael E. Kennedy, Sr., who became fascinated with architecture while watching homes being built in his Richmond Heights, MO, neighborhood. Despite being discouraged by a high school guidance counselor who claimed that Washington University “only took the cream of the crop and no Negroes,” Kennedy Sr. defied the odds. In 1969, as part of the university’s Civil Rights-era reforms, he was invited to pursue a master’s degree in architecture. He became Missouri’s first licensed Black architect and founded Kennedy and Associates, Inc. (KAI) in 1980 from his home office.

Alongside his son and current CEO, Michael Kennedy Jr., he built a legacy through iconic St. Louis projects, including the St. Louis Art Museum Expansion, City Justice Center, St. Louis MetroLink, Cervantes Convention Center Expansion & Renovation, the new Center for Nursing and Health Sciences buildings at STLCC’s Forest Park and Flo Valley campuses, the Museum of Westward Expansion at Gateway Arch National Park, Busch Stadium & Ballpark Village, Clyde C. Miller Career Academy, and the Downtown Gateway Transportation Center, as well as dozens of projects for St. Louis Lambert International Airport, BJC HealthCare, and Washington University in St. Louis.

In 2004, the firm became KAI Design & Build, and in 2019 evolved into KAI Enterprises, introducing four specialized subsidiaries: KAI Design, KAI Engineering, KAI Build, and KAI 360 Construction Services.

25 Years of Growth in Texas

In 2024, KAI celebrated 25 years of service in Texas, where it operates a rapidly growing office of more than 70 employees based in Dallas-Fort Worth. KAI’s presence in Texas began in 1992 with remote project work and partnerships, eventually leading to the establishment of a Texas-based operation in 1999. After acquiring Fratto Engineering in 2019, the Texas team consolidated into its current office in Las Colinas, an internationally recognized mixed-use community located within Irving, Texas and has expanded operations to include Fort Worth and San Antonio, delivering design, engineering, and construction services across the state with a reputation for quality and community impact.

At the helm of KAI’s Texas operations is President Darren L. James, FAIA, NOMA, NCARB, an influential voice in the DFW Metroplex and across the architecture industry. Under Darren’s leadership, KAI has become one of the most respected design and build firms in Texas, known for its forward-thinking approach to complex, community-driven projects. Darren has been recognized by D CEO Magazine as one of Dallas-Fort Worth’s 500 Most Powerful Business Leaders for many consecutive years and received the Texas Society of Architects’ 2023 Award for Community Service in Honor of James D. Pfluger, FAIA. His leadership has helped KAI earn numerous accolades, including the prestigious AIA Dallas Firm of the Year award in 2021, selected from among the chapter’s more than 300 member firms in recognition of the company’s exceptional work and deep commitment to the DFW community.

Through its diverse design and construction services and established local presence, KAI serves North Texas partners across aviation and transportation, education, healthcare, community, government, and civic infrastructure sectors. The firm’s North Texas team leads transformative projects that actively shape communities, with notable efforts including:

In addition, KAI is proud to serve as the Architect of Record for the forthcoming landmark National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth and to be part of the project team for the new Dallas Police Academy on the University of North Texas Dallas campus.

“Our mission every day is to improve the lives of community residents during and after our projects; this passion drives everything we do, no matter the size or scope of our role,” said KAI President Darren L. James, FAIA, NOMA, NCARB. “Working together with community partners, we have realized that mission for the past 25 years, and we are grateful to continue serving communities and to keep pursuing our goal of meaningful transformation for many years to come.”

Expansion in Atlanta

As part of its ongoing national growth strategy, KAI marked a major milestone in 2024 with the opening of a new, expanded office in Atlanta. Located just east of Downtown Atlanta in the historic Studioplex complex, a 100-year-old industrial loft nestled along the Atlanta BeltLine, this new space places KAI at the epicenter of one of the country’s most dynamic urban redevelopment corridors. The location enhances the firm’s ability to collaborate more closely with clients, community stakeholders and project partners across the Southeast.

KAI has maintained a presence in Atlanta since 2012, steadily building relationships and expanding its project portfolio throughout Georgia. With this new chapter, KAI is scaling up its services in MEPFP engineering, construction management, architecture, interior design, and general contracting to meet growing regional demand.

“Our new Atlanta office marks a momentous milestone for KAI,” said KAI CEO Michael B. Kennedy, Jr. “With over two decades of dedicated service in Georgia, this strategic move represents a significant step in our commitment to expanding our presence in the region. By positioning ourselves in the heart of Atlanta, we’re better equipped to accommodate our growth and continue delivering on our promise of excellence, especially as we take on increasingly complex and community-impacting projects. This new location not only reflects our dedication to our clients but also underscores our investment in the vibrant Atlanta community and reinforces our long-term commitment to the region.”

Recent and ongoing projects that reflect KAI’s transformative impact in Atlanta and across Georgia include:

From vital infrastructure and cultural institutions to public libraries and affordable housing, KAI’s Atlanta team continues to embody the firm’s mission of transforming communities through impactful design, engineering, and construction solutions.

KAI plans to grow its Atlanta-based team to more than 25 engineers and support staff in the coming years, creating new career opportunities and deepening its local roots. The firm is focused on recruiting top talent, advancing innovation, and continuing to serve as a trusted partner on transformative projects across Georgia.

As KAI celebrates this milestone anniversary, the firm looks ahead with bold vision and renewed purpose. With a legacy rooted in resilience and a future driven by technical strength and transformative impact, KAI is poised to lead the next generation of design and construction, shaping stronger, smarter, and more inclusive communities for the next 45 years and beyond.

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