The State of Black Design is a groundbreaking conference and career fair. The conference’s designer-focused programming offers a unique blend of resources, career development, and networking opportunities in a safe and culturally-rich environment.
The only national effort dedicated to establishing young professionals and recent college graduates in design careers, the state of black design has quickly become a premier event for networking, professional development, industry innovation, and job opportunities.
SOBD 2020, 2021 and 2022 were all virtual events and had more than 12,000 individuals attending and engaging with the live streamed program. Now in its fourth year, the state of black design conference attracts leading black designers, educators, activists, recruiters, and students nationwide.
We are proud to announce that SOBD 2024 will be our first in-person conference! 300 students, designers, academics and professionals are anticipated to attend in-person, with additional opportunities for hybrid and live streaming participation around the world.
Previous Speakers
NIKKI GIOVANNI • Lydia Samuel • Anna Selser • Fonz Morris • Soniyah Robinson • CHERYL D. MILLER • Kevin Bethune • Raven Veal • Ruben Pessanha • SAUL WILLIAMS • Renee Reid • Terrence Williams • Danielle Lake • DEREK SHIELDS • Ovetta Sampson • Dimeji Onafuwa • Pierce Gordon • Alana Cheeks-Lomax • Terresa Moses • REGINÉ GILBERT • Jennifer White-Johnson Heather • Lee Nguyen • Zariah Cameron• Perry Sweeper • JELANI COBB • Nakita M. Pope • George Garrastegui Jr. • Torin Edwards • Joshua Leonard • Chanel B. Power • KRISTINA ASHLEY WILLIAMS • Raven Veal • Ruben Tia Naché • Mike Nicholls • Raja Schaar • Laci Jordan • Drexel Silas Munro • Kaleena Sales • Sekou Cooke • Nigel Prentice • OEN HAMMONDS • Gus Granger • Kelli Wilbert • Monna Morton • Nwaka Onwusa • Dian Holton • Pessanha Marshall Shorts • TEMI COKER • Ramon Tejada • Barbara T. James • Saki Mafundikwa • Russell Toynes • Leslie Wingo • Angela Bains • Mallence Bart-Williams • Maxwell VanHook • Lenora Porter • MITZI OKOU
There is an African Proverb that tells the story of a man who walks into a village and propositions a number of children to race one another for a prize. Whoever crossed the line first would win the prize. The children agreed but when the race began the children held hands and crossed simultaneously. The man who initially propositioned the children then asked why did you guys cross together and not try to win the prize for yourself. One of the children spoke up and said, I am because we are. And what worth is the prize if we were to win it alone.
WE THE PEOPLE is our overarching theme for the 2024 State Of Black Design conference. The State of Black Design events are realized by academics, practitioners, freelancers, civil activists, teachers, motivational speakers, and students. We gather as advocates.
WE THE PEOPLE is a declarative statement that encompasses those who dream of opportunities and those who design the partnerships needed to attain them.We are honored to have this year’s conference hosted by Tennessee State University, a public university and HBCU, with collaboration from our partners at Design Observer and the University of North Texas, College of Visual Art and Design.
We would like to acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the occupied territory of the Wichita and Caddo Affiliated Tribes.These tribes have stewarded this land throughout the generations, and we would like to pay our respects to elders, both past and present.
A gentle reminder that many people will be attending. Masks are welcomed. If you don't feel well, please stay home. Be nice to each other. We're all in this together.
