Where Are the Black Designers?

The topic of racial diversity in the graphic design community has been going on for well over 20 years. The intensity ebbs and flows, but the premise is the same: what can we do change the makeup of the graphic design community so it reflects the multicultural world we live in?

Let’s look at what we know. Design-driven companies in Silicon Valley like Twitter report only single-digit percentages of American employees of color. Design conferences and smaller events promise to do better every year after unveiling speaker panels with majority white speakers. And between magazines, podcasts, and other media, the field of design can look like it’s only created for and by a certain group of people.

How do we fix this? Can we fix this? And what’s the overall benefit of diversifying the design industry? I explored these questions and more in this video based on my recent SXSW presentation titled “Where Are The Black Designers?”

Learn more about Maurice Cherry and his exceptional work on the Revision Path podcast— an award-winning weekly showcase of Black designers, developers, and digital creatives from all over the world. Each week, he explores the stories, processes, experiences, insights, and creative inspirations of these awesome creators.  Subscribe at RevisionPath.com or on iTunes.

AIGA’s Diversity and Inclusion Initiative encourages diversity in design education, discourse, and practice to expand the future strength and relevance of design in all areas of society. See how you can contribute, volunteer, or add your voice to the conversation.