Hi Guys,

It’s been a rough few weeks to say the least. I know I was already personally struggling with the overall effects of the pandemic - thank God, me and my family have remained healthy, but business wise, it hasn’t quite been the same.

With that said, none of that compares with what I am sure folks in the Black community are feeling currently and have been feeling for such a long time. Seeing the nonsensical and outright racist behaviors/words of law enforcement and politicians is dehumanizing and hurtful, but I am in absolute awe of those individuals (and there have been thousands, maybe millions, from what I have seen!), that have stepped up and made us all see, hear and experience what needs to be acknowledged.

Black Lives Matter. That’s it. And, what I do know is that this fight that Black America is fighting is and always has been relevant to us all. That is why, every POC needs to understand that this is not just their fight, but we need to help them pave the way so that ultimately we can all feel equal in this world.

I can’t really speak for others, but I will speak for myself. Our design industry lacks diversity. As a brown, Muslim business woman (who grew up in 99% White, Middle America), I have faced my own share of outright discriminatory practices and challenges, and even continue to experience some to this day. And, the only way to overcome and change those preexisting prejudices (for any POC) is by acknowledgment of the problem by EVERYONE.

This is worth repeating — Our design industry lacks diversity. And why does that matter-specifically in design? It matters because diversity and inclusion promote innovation and creativity. Design (especially interior design) is interactive and when we have a homogenous pool of people creating for everyone, we fail to address the needs of everyone that may experience the space. When people from different backgrounds, upbringings and cultures come together, it breeds a whole new set of ideas, solutions and design trends. It creates a greater pool of problem solvers and ultimately helps designers create better suited spaces that are relevant and inclusive for ALL OF US. It creates a better reflection of who we are as designers and it creates a better reflection of our clients. It creates a better quality of life.

As of recently, I have been working on diversifying my own feed and expanding my sourcing network. As new projects and opportunities come my way, I really hope to be able to professionally connect with some of these Black Creatives and Entrepreneurs. Today, I wanted to introduce you to a very small handful of those many, many creatives that deserve to be highlighted! These designers and entrepreneurs are exceptional!

54Kibo by Nana Quagraine

54Kibo was created by Nana to help bring contemporary African designs to the rest of the world and make it accessible to everyone. She has everything from cool modern furniture to eclectic lighting and beautiful linens. One thing all her pieces have in common…soul. Check her and her team out and give them a follow.

Melissa Koby Art

Melissa is a self taught artist living in Tampa, Fl and her IG is absolutely full of inspiration! Besides her amazing ability to coordinate thoughtful colors, her illustrations ooze character and motivation. She even does custom commissions tailored to her clients specific needs! Yes please, sign me up!

B́ole Road Textiles

Bole Road Textiles was founded by designer Hana Getachew in Brooklyn. This remarkable company brings us Ethiopian, handwoven textiles that are graphic, vibrant and full of texture and depth. The name of the company pays homage to the beautiful and quaint neighbhood that her family resided in.

Enkee Ceramics

Enkee Ceramics, founded by the talented Denise, has some incredibly beautiful, organic and rustic pieces of pottery that I have ever seen. Here…texture is king, or queen! Her pieces are full of character and depth, and although she is all sold out for now, looks like she will be dropping some new pieces end of June, beginning of July. Get in line!

Nicole Crowder Upholstery

Nicole is a talented independent furniture designer and upholsterer in the Washington, DC area. She officially started Nicole Crowder Upholstery in 2017 after discovering how much joy the craft of upholstery brought to her! Of course, she is busy breathing new life into old pieces of furniture for clients, but she also sells some exclusive one of a kind pieces on her site. Check back for new pieces!

Thank you for reading and I hope you found these sources helpful. As things in the media settle down, I hope we all continue to do our part of listening, learning and helping individuals of color thrive and help bring equality to the forefront. If you have any questions or comments, please reach out. SUBSCRIBE HERE to stay in touch!