BlackSpace…at the Intersection of Diversity, Agency and Design is a series of workshops, two virtual and one in-person, at the National Building Museum’s Fall Series, INTERSECTIONS. At the second workshop, Vanessa Morrison (along with other cohorts), introduced the importance of culturally relevant and affirming design principles and how these can be used as a tool to create and preserve inclusive spaces.

Vanessa Morrison is a social impact planner who’s dedicated to supporting people’s ability to thrive while exploring how the built environment plays a role within those experiences.

Vanessa’s professional and academic opportunities have led her to design and lead approaches to address inequity challenges for marginalized groups, domestically and internationally consult development projects, and activate both spatial and social environments. She is also highly experienced in leading teams while developing culturally responsive engagement strategies that reach into a diverse range of communities; including but not limited to: Black communities, business spaces, the nonprofit sector, and state and local governments.

Additionally, Vanessa is the Associate Director at the Institute for Quality Communities at the College of Architecture, co-founder of BlackSpace Oklahoma, and is the co-founder and CEO of Open Design Collective; a non-profit organization that supports the social and spatial needs of marginalized communities.

twitter: @vinthecityy

Oct 18 BLACKSPACE...AT THE INTERSECTION OF BLACK FUTURES, AGENCY, AND DESIGN

Oct 21 AMANDA WILLIAMS...AT THE INTERSECTION OF ART, ARCHITECTURE, AND SOCIAL COMMENTARY

Nov 10 GERMANE BARNES...AT THE INTERSECTION OF STORYTELLING, ARCHITECTURE AND CULTURAL NARRATIVE

Nov 19 BLACKSPACE...AT THE INTERSECTION OF BLACK FUTURES, AGENCY, AND DESIGN

Nov 29 LARGE FIRM ROUND TABLE...AT THE INTERSECTION OF EQUITY, ADVOCACY AND INDUSTRY

Dec 14 CORY HENRY...AT THE INTERSECTION OF DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY