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Jennifer Sergent

Senior Communications Writer | Perkins Eastman

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Black Designers in the DMV

August 28, 2020

What a strange and awful year it’s been. A reminder that the Civil Rights Movement continues on, today, on the National Mall as I write this. The protests all summer have resurrected painful personal memories for Black Americans everywhere — from small slights all the way up to assaults and the N word. Those of us who are white really need to stop and try to understand, to listen. So, I’ve been thinking for a long time. What can I do as an individual to advance the cause? Here’s what I know:

  • I know the DC design community. You are my people.
  • I’ve felt incredibly heavy since George Floyd died (and Jacob Blake, and Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery … Good God we can go on).
  • I can’t resolve the latter, but I can work within the former to spotlight designers of color and show how their work matters to the pantheon of creative talent in our region.

This list is by no means comprehensive, so please contact me if I’m missing you. My hope is that it will grow over time.

And now, for some delightful design inspiration across DC, Maryland and Virginia, here you go. My wish is that no one should be able to say “I can’t find any Black designers in this area.” I want to make your search easy!


Iantha Carley, Iantha Carley Interiors, Silver Spring

Family room in Alexandria, Virginia, with custom shelving and built-ins by  Iantha Carley Interiors.
Photo by Angie Seckinger

Trystin Kier Francis, The Kier Company, Washington

Row-house parlor design by Trystin Kier Francis, The Kier Company
Photo by Geoffrey Boggs

Jeanne Griffin, Jeanne Griffin Interior Design, Alexandria

Photo by Jennifer Hughes

Lorna Gross-Bryant, Lorna Gross Interior Design, Bethesda

Photo by Angie Seckinger

Quintece Hill-Mattauszek, Studio Q Designs, Alexandria

Lounge by Studio Q Designs in the Ellicott City Designer Showhouse
Photo by Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Laura Hodges, Laura Hodges Studio, Baltimore

Master bedroom with wallpaper feature wall by Laura Hodges Studio, Baltimore
Photo by Helen Norman

Monique Holland, Holland Custom Designs – Decorating Den Interiors, Oxon Hill

Feminine home office with grays and pink by Monique Holland, Holland Custom Designs and Decorating Den Interiors, Oxon Hill MD
Photo through Monique Holland

Asha Maxey, Asha Maia Design, Alexandria

Pale blue and white kitchen with peninsula by Asha Maxey, Asha Maia Design
Photo by Asha Maxey

Hubert May, Studio Hue, Hyattsville

Photo by Brian Landis Photography

Sheryl McLean, Mclean & Tircuit, Bethesda

Sitting room by Sheryl McLean of McLean & Tircuit with painting by Ronald Jackson
Photo by Stacy Zarin Goldberg; Painting by Ronald Jackson

Kiyonda Powell, Kiyonda Powell Design Studio, Washington

ASPIRE Showhouse Design; Photo by Keyanna Bowen

Duval Reynolds, Duval Design LLC, Fairfax

Contemporary family room with coffered ceiling by Duvall Reynolds, Fairfax VA
Photo by Robert Radifera; Styling by Charlotte Safavi

Byron Risdon, Byron Risdon Interior Design Studio, Washington

Dark blue baby nursery by Byron Risdon, Washington DC
Photo by Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Dennese Guadeloupe Rojas, Interiors By Design, Silver Spring

Family movie theater screening area by Dennese Guadalupe Rojas, Interiors by Design
Photo courtesy of Interiors by Design

Saudah Saleem, Saudah Saleem Interiors, Baltimore

Colorful girls' bedroom by Saudah Saleem
Photo by Antar Hanif

Sheryl Scruggs, A Curated Simplicity, Washington

Contemporary feminine master bedroom by Sheryl Scruggs, Bronze Interiors
Photo by Kea Dupree 

Morgan Taylor, Brass Bones Design, Washington

Modern condo living area with exposed brick by Morgan Taylor, Brass Bones Design
Photo by Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Shawna Underwood, Shawna Underwood Interior Design, Washington

Chic living room with built-in shelving and colored-glass accessories by Shawna Underwood Interior Design
Photo by Edward Underwood Photography

Kia Weatherspoon, Determined by Design, Washington

Photo by Jennifer Hughes

Celia Welch, Celia Welch Interiors, Bethesda

Calm neutral family room by Celia Welch Interiors
Photo by Angie Seckinger

Brandi Wilkins, Three Luxe Nine Interiors, Frederick

Photo by Nick Sullivan

If you’re looking for more ways to support black designers in our area and beyond, design professionals can offer mentoring, internships or scholarships to students at Howard University. The art and design department is struggling to create an advisory board, but still lacks manpower and resources. See program coordinator Jacqueline Carmichael’s comment below for website and contact information.

The Black Artists and Designers Guild offers a search-by-discipline directory of black designers, architects, artists and makers.

The Black Interior Designers Network supports and promotes designers all over the country. You can donate and become an ally.

AD PRO posted this nice article on how the design industry can be a better ally to the Black community. It also has a crowd-sourced Rolodex of Black designers and architects around the country.

The Organization of Black Designers goes beyond interior design to highlight professionals in industrial design, architecture, fashion and graphic design.

Filed Under: Designers Tagged With: Black designers

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tricia Huntley says

    September 8, 2020 at 9:52 pm

    Wonderful to so much good work highlighted in one post. And a personal nod to Iantha and Lorna ; )

  2. Jacqueline Carmichael ASID says

    September 8, 2020 at 1:09 pm

    Greetings,

    Wonderful article. I want to share that Howard University Interior Design has a growing BFA and MFA program. And, we seek the support of the local Interior Design community to provide a pipeline of mentorships, internships, and scholarships, and other opportunities for our emerging Design professionals. We have planned for years of creating an Advisory Board, but due to a lack of manpower and resources, it remains pending, but I look forward to those with a strong interest to support us. Currently, a few of our upper-level students have not been able to return due to large financial obligations prior to the pandemic, which has only exacerbated the matter. These students are just a few semesters away from fulfilling their promise towards their great destinies. Therefore, any support is most appreciated.

    Best regards,
    Jacqueline Carmichael ASID, CKD, NCIDQ
    Assistant Professor – Program Coordinator
    Dept. of Art – Interior Design Concentration
    Howard University
    202-681-4191-o, 240-838-9782 -c
    jacqueline.carmich@howard.edu
    http://www.art.howard.edu

    • Jennifer Sergent says

      September 8, 2020 at 5:23 pm

      Jacqueline, thank you SO MUCH for your comment. I hope designers who are reading this can help you and your students!

  3. Katie Buck says

    September 3, 2020 at 5:34 pm

    BRAVO!

  4. Susan Hayes Long says

    September 3, 2020 at 9:41 am

    I think using the proceeds towards a scholarship is excellent. Have bought my tickets and coming with friends. So glad Aspire has done a design house.

    • Jennifer Sergent says

      September 3, 2020 at 10:48 am

      I went last weekend — so worth the price of the ticket 🙂 so much great design represented there, and names you haven’t seen before!

  5. Lori Steinman says

    September 3, 2020 at 7:59 am

    Some of my favorite designers are in this esteemed group! Talent knows no bounds when it comes to skin color or culture.
    Kudos to you, Jennifer, for recognizing the diversity within our wonderful design community!

    • Jennifer Sergent says

      September 3, 2020 at 10:47 am

      Totally agree Lori, and I loved doing this post because I discovered many new names to follow in the process, PLUS a story I’ll be writing on one of them for Home & Design Magazine , which will publish in the Nov/Dec issue!

  6. Asha Maxey says

    August 29, 2020 at 11:55 pm

    Thank you so much for taking the time to do a post like this!

    • Jennifer Sergent says

      September 3, 2020 at 10:46 am

      Thank YOU Asha, I’ll be following your beautiful work!

Trackbacks

  1. Guest Post: Brandi Wilkins | Jennifer Sergent says:
    November 2, 2020 at 7:52 am

    […] of good things came from the process of compiling a list of the area’s talented Black designers last month — mainly, the ability to meet new people and see some seriously great work. One of […]

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#Repost @homeanddesigndc with @make_repost
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A 1940's-era Colonial in Friendship Heights was renovated and expanded into a contemporary abode while preserving its original roots. Natural light, high ceilings and warm wood elements complement the interiors. The rear addition combines two- and three-story volumes with the owners' suite on the third level; the addition was clad in wood siding that comes down over the original brick façade. An open concept master bathroom adds a sleek and sophisticated vibe.⁠⁠
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DC by Design is my passion project, a chronicle of design talents throughout the DC-Maryland-Virginia region who are doing beautiful and imaginative things in the categories below. Click here for blog information and guidelines.

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