Where are the Black designers is a new initiative that gives a platform to creatives of color and starts a dialogue about change in the design industry. They’ve launched an event this weekend—June 27th with a fantastic lineup of speakers. Tune in to hear designers, educators, and creative leaders discuss the lack of representation in the design industry.
Register for this event this Saturday, June 27th here.
Speakers include:
- Mitzi Okou, Founder, Where are the Black Designers
- Raja Schaar, Program Director, Drexel University’s Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
- Dori Tunstall, Dean, Faculty of Design, OCAD University
- Antionette Carroll, Founder, President, and CEO of Creative Reaction Lab
- Chris Livaudais, Executive Director, IDSA
- Sandy Speicher, CEO, IDEO
- Elaine Lopez, Associate Professor in Graphic Design, ACAID Fellow, MICA
- Vanessa Newman, Head of Brand, Ethel’s Club & Founder of Design 2 Divest
- Naj Austin, Founder & CEO, Somewhere Good (Ethel’s Club, Form No Form)
- Christina Harrington, Assistant Professor of Design, HCI, DePaul University
- Jasmine Burton, CEO, Wish for WASH
- Kennedi Johnson, M.A. Student, Diaspora Studies, Indiana University
- Shabnam Kashani, Designer, Google
- Underground Resistance, Legendary DJ Collective
The WATBD team also recommends the following resources:
- Where are the Black designers? — Talk by Maurice Cherry
- Black Designers: Missing in Action — Article by Cheryl D. Miller
- Black Designers: Still Missing in Actions — Article by Cheryl D. Miller
- An Oral History of the Organization of Black Designers — Article by Sela Lewis
More info + schedule updates: wherearetheblackdesigners.com and register here. Follow @wherearetheblackdesigners on Instagram and Twitter.