plato's federal government housing projects for defense workers during world war ii brought him national attention. between 1941 and 1946, plato was one of the few african-american architects and contractors in the united states to be awarded wartime contracts. although president franklin d. roosevelt issued executive order 8802 in june 1941 prohibiting discriminatory practices in defense jobs and in awarding federal defense contracts during world war ii, national defense industries continued to discriminate against african americans and overlooked black businesses in awarding federal government contracts. plato's defense workers housing projects include wake and midway halls, which were dormitories to accommodate more than 800 african-american defense workers in washington, d.c. another of his federal housing projects was sparrows point, a 304-unit complex in baltimore, maryland.