Black History Month – Trailblazers & Movers and Shakers
Last year, Tina Shoulders of Laidback Home kicked off a series of blog posts spotlighting designers of color. And even though she started mid-February, that didn’t stop her from writing a full 28 days of awesome posts. If you missed it, don’t worry, she compiled her work. 28 Days of Diversity in Design is available in e-book form.
I Love My Hair prints - designer Andrea Pippins
Like Tina shows, so many African-American designers are doing amazing work. (Last year, we interviewed Jack Poles, Will Smith, Kim Myles and Sheila Bridges.) But people of color are still underrepresented in the fields of architecture, interior design and decor. It’s crucial to call out the trailblazers, movers and shakers and up-and-comers. So, I call on you, our Design Happens fans, to expand my ever-growing list of favorites.
Venus Williams, the tennis player, has a design firm, VStarr Designs in Florida. They designed the Tavis Smiley set and were in the running to design the Olympic Village had the US won the Olympics.
Thanks Catrice!
Yes, Venus! And how could I forget Mr. Lenny Kravitz's interiors. It's a working, ever expanding list!
Thanks so much for this post, acknowledging the contributions of those of color and for the shout out to the ebook. Keep making design happen
I'm downloading your ebook this week! And please suggest some of your favs for me to follow.
Thanks for including Fly and the I Love My Hair images!
Is your grad school thesis available to read? Those prints make me smile. And please share with me your favs for me to follow!
Hi Anna,
Unfortunately no, in this particular design program the project itself represents the thesis. But if you have any specific questions feel free to ask. Email me!
This post is wonderful!
Together we thrive!
I am beyond thrilled to be apart of this list! Thanks so much for the mention Anna!
Love your work. And share with me – us – your favorites you follow.
It is such a honor to be recognized among many other talented design professionals. Thank you Anna for feature! Love the artwork, too.
Erika, reading about all you have done in the past 5 + years amazes and inspires me. Your Pure post got me thinking…have you been to Rise n' Dine in Emory Village. Love the interiors of that restaurant. And you are so right about funding arts education. How will our young people know about these amazing, creative, fun careers with out exposure to the fine arts and decorative and design arts. (Side note, I wish my head looked as beautiful as yours does when mine was shaved.)
Thank you so much for including Chic Little House on your list of ever growing Favs – It means so much to US!
Best, Katrina
You give me hope that one day I will finish renovating our bungalow!
Some of the links are not working for me. Its saying the page is not found. Not sure why…
Just doubled checked them. All should be working. Though Beehive is slow to load.
First I would like to thank you HGTV. I appreciate the acknowledgement and I celebrate it. Thanks again for recognizing the folks that have earned their positions as people of color and Americans!! They have contributed to the growth and prosperity of society and their culture.
Growth, prosperity…and creating a more beautiful America…including a more beautifully designed America! That's something that excites me about the next 100 years.
Mr. Goodwill, will you take me thrifting? I live in Atlanta on the weekends. That's where you are located, right?
Thank You Anna and HGTV for including me on such a wonderful list. I know a few of the trailblazers mentioned and I'm very honored to be on the same list as them.
Lauren Lake!! I loved "Spice Up My Kitchen."
You're so right. (Smack myself on the head moment!) Love Ms. Lake!
Another great interior designer is Helen Bailey. Loved her show Urban Livin'! Wish we could see more of her and others on tv and in print. They are so talented!
Looks like she has a new website coming soon!
Thank you HGTV for recognizing us.
Congrats to all those featured, some of my favorites here! Keep up the good blogging!
great post! I actually started a feature on my blog that highlights African American 'artists". I say artists, but that can be anything from design to photography! When compiling my lists, I stumbled upon Tina's blog and her ebook and thought it was a great idea! I had no idea that I actually met her in New York back in September when we all headed out for the nate show.
Great post!
L.Duncan http://www.home23duncanboys.com
Thanks Lakeitha, I'll be following!
You may want to look at www. ethniciti.com An African American design group that focus on Modern African inspired interiors. We feature an online room make over sevice along with in home consultations
Thanks William, checking out your blog, looks awesome!
Thank you so much for including me in this list!!! It's such an honor and I don't recall ever seeing an acknowledgment of all of the amazing and diverse design talent that's out there – so kudos to you for putting this list together!
Thanks Julie, Some one just told me that you posted this about me, you are very very kind. http://www.helenbailey.net
Thanks!
HB
the beehive is ecstatic, blown away, and every other wonderful superlative you can think of for even being mentioned in such wonderful company. Thank you, HGTV, for this post, and for recognizing us as a part of it.
the beehive is a place that encourages the largest amount of diversity possible with people starting their businesses with handmade products, and seek to teach women and men of all colors to be the best entrepreneurs they can be. We thank you, thank you, thank you, and fully welcome the HGTV family at the beehive next time you're around our way in the ATL!
Well, I love shopping at beehive!
Thank you so much for acknowledging the fact that African American designers are underrepresented practically everywhere. iIam so disappointed that Kim Myles show "Myles of Style" is no longer on. I tend to think that when the network kept changing her time-slot, that she lost ratings because her fans did not know when to watch her. She was the first African-American woman to win HGTV design star and she should be on as much as some of the others.