The fact of extreme inequity and racism in America is no longer possible to ignore. The pandemic ripped away the facts of systemic racism in leaving Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPoC) more vulnerable to the virus and more likely to die. It also ripped away the fog of distraction that allowed us to look the other way in the face of shocking long-term structural racism. Inclusive (Universal) Design is a vision of design for social equity. It focuses on anticipating who's left out and demands a participatory process in order to get solutions right. The panel will share their sense of urgency and ideas that can help pull us forward.
Panelists
Ricardo Gomes
Professor Ricardo Gomes has been a faculty member in the School of Design at San Francisco State University for over 29 years. He was the Chair of the DAI Department from 2002-2012. Prof. Gomes coordinates the Design Center for Global Needs and the Shapira Design Archive Project in the School of Design (DES) that promotes responsive design solutions to local, regional and global issues such as: inclusive/universal design, health care, the aging, community development, social innovation and sustainability of the built environment. He is a member of the IHCD Board of Directors.
Nikeisha Nelson
Nikeisha Nelson is currently a Senior Visual Designer at frog. As a designer, she thrives to stay inquisitive, while challenging herself to form new perspectives and develop human-led solutions. Her background in art direction, product, visual, and branding design, along with her interests in psychology and anthropology, afford her unique insight when approaching challenges. She has worked with clients in industries such as health and wellness, music and entertainment, fashion, non-profit, and sports. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the Royal College of Art.
June Grant
June A. Grant, RA, NOMA, is Founder and Design Principal at blink!LAB architecture; a boutique research-based architecture and urban design practice. Launched in 2014, Blink!LAB brings 20 years experience in architecture, design and urban regeneration of cities and communities. Ms. Grant’s approach rests on an avid belief in cultural empathy, data research and new technologies as integral to design futures and design solutions. blink!LAB has three mandates - A commitment to Design Exploration, Advocacy for Holistic Solutions and the Integration of Technology as a central component for a regenerative society.
Nigel Jacob
Nigel Jacob is the Co-founder of the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics, a civic innovation incubator and R&D Lab within Boston’s City Hall. Nigel’s work is about making urban life better via innovative, people-oriented applications of technology and design. He is a board member at Code For America and coUrbanize, and is an Executive-in-Residence at Boston University. He was also previously the Urban Technologist in Residence at Living Cities.
Brad Grant
Bradford C. Grant is a Full Professor of Architecture in the Department of Architecture of the College of Engineering and Architecture at Howard University, Washington DC. He has been in leadership roles at Hampton and Howard Universities as Chairperson, Director, Associate Dean and Interim Dean. As a registered architect and a distinguished educator he has extensive experience in community design, contemplative practices through drawing in design education and cultural factors in architecture.
