In 2020, as racial inequality in America- and in the architecture & design industry we also call home- took center stage, Workshop/APD set out to make sustainable, measurable change within our own walls and in the community as a whole. As a firm, we are proud of our diversity but also aware that there is real work to be done. As part of our internal IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access) committee’s efforts, we launched a monthly Pass The Mic series in July 2020 to give BIPOC guests across architecture, design, art, real estate, development, education, human resources, faith and more a voice.

This eye-opening series has also offered the Workshop/APD team an opportunity for our team to explore more diverse perspectives, which we hope will lead to better solutions for a more just world. To date, we have welcomed interior designer Paris Grant, Architect Nina Cooke John, editor, stylist and Bloomingdale’s fashion director Kelley Carter. For our latest session, a kick-off to Black History Month, we welcomed acclaimed artist, educator and curator Berrisford Boothe and designer Domenica Massamby, one of Boothe’s former students, for a stirring conversation we think is worth sharing. Please enjoy the full video, below.