To shed light on work being done right now in the realms of architecture, interior design and fashion on the manifold needs for increased social justice, the O’More College of Architecture & Design at Belmont University will host a three-part series of lectures this spring on the subject of design and equity, led by professionals who represent the college’s three disciplines.
Beginning on January 18, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, New York-based Footwear and Accessories Designer Wevly Wilson will present “How Race, Gender and Nationality Impact Equality in Fashion Design.” Follow up events are planned for February 10 with Chicago-based Architect Juan Moreno and March 9 with Los Angeles-based Interior Designer Ryan Saghian.
Belmont recognizes the concerns for diversity, equity and inclusion to be consistent with “its mission to engage and transform the world with disciplined intelligence, courage and faith.” The opportunities for and potential of design disciplines to address matters of injustice has become only more pronounced in the recent months.
Dean of the O’More College of Architecture and Design Dr. Jhennifer Amundson said, “The differences that distinguish each of us make us stronger, smarter and more creative; in addition to valuing these differences, we must actively counter the forces and conventions evident in access, representation, curriculum, pedagogy, research, criteria for evaluation and practices that stifle the impact of underrepresented people and points of view. Through more equitable and liberated practices we will bring our programs, people and design community closer to a state of justice for all.”
In recognizing a personal responsibility to respond to concerns and the disciplines’ special capacity to ameliorate them, the faculty, staff and students of the O’More College of Architecture and Design are studing and seeking ways to examine and amend structures and systems, as well as policies and practices shaped by systemic and personal bias, so that all members of the community, and all people they will serve in through their work in the design disciplines, will flourish in a proactively anti-discriminatory environment, benefit from empowered representation.
For event details and access, please contact CADinfo@Belmont.edu.
