event schedule

October 30 – November 1, 2025 | Prairie View A&M University

DAY 1

Thursday, October 30, 2025
Nathelyne Archie-Kennedy Building, School of Architecture

  • Description: Welcome to Prairie View! Grab your badge, snag your materials, and you’re off. Questions along the way? Just spot the SoBD team or a volunteer—your built-in guides for the SoBD experience.

  • Description: We’re kicking things off with a fair that’s all about futures — yours, ours, and the industry’s. Conference participants will connect with leaders, makers, and organizational partners across design, business, and technology. Stop by a table, drop into a short session. Think of it as your launchpad into what’s next.

    Company participants: Celebrity Mint, DLR Group, Freeman, Engine for Art, Democracy & Justice (Fisk University, Frist Museum of Art, Vanderbilt University: Nashville TN), Gensler, Ghost Note Agency, Houston Public Library, Institute of Design, IIT, d.School, Stanford University, Steelcase, Target, VCFA

  • Description: Experience art in motion. A wandering installation unfolds across the space—inviting reflection, stillness, and surprise. Pedestals with video and sound provide moments of private encounter, while the collective presence of multiple artists reminds us that design speaks both quietly and aloud.

  • Description: Purple Table Talk is a space where Prairie View’s purple and gold spirit comes alive. Students and professionals gather at rotating tables to spark conversations on design, innovation, and growth. With each exchange, new perspectives take shape, connections are forged, and the community shines brighter—capturing the essence of PV’s legacy and SoBD’s vision in one shared experience.

    Campus Tour: Details to come.

  • Description: Welcome + Intentions -
    The SoBD team opens the gathering at Prairie View A&M with words of greeting, purpose, and gratitude. Together we set the tone for the experience ahead—honoring our hosts, sponsors, partners, and each of you who make this moment possible

    Artist Reflection: Featured artists will be given a brief moment to share their work and reflect on its meaning—offering us a window into their creative interpretation

  • Description: “Still Tippin’” begins in the spirit of Black Joy—where nourishment, culture, and creativity converge. Through sound, movement, and shared energy, this opening experience invites us to celebrate, connect, and step fully into the experience together.

  • Description: Wind down the day with music, refreshments, and plenty of good company. Mingle with speakers, sponsors, students, and community leaders as we spark conversation, build connection, and set the vibe for the Prairie View + SoBD experience

DAY 2

Friday, October 31, 2025
Nathelyne Archie-Kennedy Building, School of Architecture

  • Description: Pull up, set your intention, and get grounded for Day 2. Pick up your badge, grab your program, and let the SoBD team and volunteers guide you into the experience.

  • Description: Settle in with a curated vibe session from Mister Drake, aka The Mind of Milan—a soundscape designed to center us and open the day with intention.

  • Description:

    • Conference Welcome | SoBD + Prairie View Teams
      Our hosts open with reflections, gratitude, and a warm welcome to all.

    • Welcome to PV | PV Administration
      Prairie View leadership greets the SoBD community and shares the history and pride of PVAMU.

    • History of PV | Prairie View Pioneer
      Historian Frank Jackson traces the legacy and heritage of Prairie View A&M, one of the most storied HBCUs in the country.

    • Why Today? | Team SoBD
      An interactive moment where attendees share why they’ve come—stories, passions, and experiences that nurture connection and shape the shared voice of the day.

    • Lunch: Chew & Chat | Team SoBD
      Your hosts provide a quick roadmap on how to navigate lunch and the conversations that follow.

  • Description: Select from a range of activations—hands-on, interactive experiences led by designers, practitioners, and educators. Each activation runs 45 minutes, giving you time to explore, engage, and connect across rotating sessions.

    Check out the activation times and schedule below.

  • Description: SoBD’s signature Chew + Chat returns—where breaking bread becomes building bonds. Gather over lunch and enjoy conversation that nourishes both body and community.

  • Description: A midday reset with energy, recognition, and community shoutouts.

  • Description: SoBD invites a collection of creatives, thought leaders, and change-makers to the stage to share one big idea in a PechaKucha-style showcase with a SoBD twist. Each presenter has just 6, 7, or 8 minutes to deliver their idea—before our DJ, the Beatmaster, plays them off in this engaging beat-the-clock challenge.

  • Description: A quick orientation before the afternoon activations.

  • Description: Select from a range of activations—hands-on, interactive experiences led by designers, practitioners, and educators. Each activation runs 45 minutes, giving you time to explore, engage, and connect across rotating sessions.

    Check out the activation times and schedule below.

  • Description: A futurist joins SoBD to spark a conversation on what lies ahead—exploring the intersections of the future, AI, and design. Their keynote sets the stage for a panel of industry voices who expand on these ideas, sharing perspectives on how emerging technology will shape culture, creativity, and community.

  • Description: We close Still Tippin’ as we began—in community, joy, and collaboration. Together, the SoBD and Prairie View teams, joined by NúBlack, offer gratitude for your presence and participation. This final moment thanks you for joining us, warms our hearts, and sends us forward connected and soul fed.

DAY 3

Saturday, November 1, 2025
Nathelyne Archie-Kennedy Building, School of Architecture & PVAMU – blackshear field

  • Description: Join Omari Souza, Founder, State of Black Design, for a morning of powerful ideas and creative resistance—exploring how design can confront inequity and catalyze community transformation.

    Make a donation to The State of Black Design (SoBD) to receive a signed book. 501(c)(3) · EIN 94-3136771. Gift is tax-deductible. “The State of Black Design fosters inclusivity and elevates Black designers… follow @sobd or visit thesobd.com.”

  • Description: Optional morning activity (details to come). At 2:00 PM, close out your Prairie View visit with the SoBD community by cheering on the PVAMU Panthers at the football game.

    Tickets are provided by SoBD for those who choose to stay for game day.

career exploration

thursday, October 30, 2025
Nathelyne Archie-Kennedy Building, School of Architecture

12:30 - 3:30 PM: Explore Career Paths and Opportunities

Connect with innovators, creators, and industry partners across design, business, and technology. Visit a table, join a mini session, and discover ideas that could spark your next big move.

  • Description: How can you make your portfolio and resume stand out and demonstrate your professional value to a hiring manager? Hear from a digital designer who has recently reviewed hundreds (or is it thousands?!) of resumes and portfolios as he builds the team for a growing new business unit. Miles will share his tips, best practices, do’s and don’ts as he helps participants showcase their very best.

    Hosted by: Miles Carney, Lead Brand Designer, Celebrity Mint

  • Beyond the Studio: Internships, Mentorships, and Career Readiness

    Description: Why wait until graduation to start building your career? This session explores how to take advantage of internships, part-time jobs, volunteer opportunities, and mentorship programs—along with creative, non-traditional pathways that provide real-world practice even in the early years of school or work experience.

    We’ll highlight how these experiences:

    • Expand your professional network, opening doors to future opportunities.

    • Build resilience, helping you learn from mistakes in a low-stakes environment.

    • Strengthen your confidence and interview skills long before the job hunt begins.

    • Help define your project and firm interests, so you enter the profession with clarity.

    Hosted by: 

    Allan Johnson, Architectural Designer, DLR Group

    Darwin Dawson II, Architectural Designer, DLR Group

    Emily Winters, Higher Education Leader and Principal, DLR Group

    Micaela Gray, Jr Designer, DLR Group

  • Description: In today's competitive landscape, your personal brand is your most powerful career asset. This interactive 30-minute workshop is designed for college students, recent graduates, and early-career professionals looking to stand out in a crowded job market

    Led by brand strategist Ashten Fizer, who has built employer brands for Meta, Dropbox, and Microsoft, you'll learn the same storytelling frameworks used by Fortune 500 companies to create compelling narratives. Through hands-on exercises and a take-home worksheet, you'll discover how to articulate your unique value proposition and translate your authentic story into a cohesive social media presence that resonates with employers, clients, and your professional community.

    This isn't about creating a fake persona. It's about strategically showcasing who you already are. Walk away with practical strategies for storytelling across platforms and a personalized Brand U action plan you can implement immediately.

    What You'll Learn:

    • Craft your authentic professional narrative using proven storytelling frameworks

    • Develop a consistent and compelling social media presence across platforms

    • Complete a personal branding worksheet to guide your ongoing brand development

    Hosted by: Ashten Fizer, Integrated & Experiential Marketing Leader; Founder, Insert Cool Name Here, LLC

  • Description: Bring your resume and portfolio and discuss what works and what might be improved with leading Design professionals. 

    Sign up for these 15 minute, 1:1 review sessions at the Career Exploration Welcome Table.

    Hosts and Location: See Sign Up Sheets

    • Ashten Fizer - Room 315

    • Miles Carney - Room 317

    • Lawrence Humphrey - Faculty Lounge 245

    • Omari Souza - Meeting Room 203B 

    • Mariela Correas - Office 211 

    • Breandrea Rudolph, Quinnton Harris, Reggie Snowden -  Faculty Lounge 245

  • Description: Need a fresh photo for LinkedIn or an upcoming job application? Our professional photographer will be on-site during Career Exploration to capture your best look. Photos will be sent to you within a week—no advance sign-up needed, just stop by.

    Tips from Cory to prepare:

    • Stay hydrated and get plenty of rest.

    • Do your hair and makeup—or have someone help you.

    • For men: treat beard grooming like makeup.

    • Bring essentials like a towel, lotion, lip gloss or chapstick, and a brush or comb.

    • Choose outfits that feel authentic to your style and try them on beforehand.

    • Avoid matching too closely with others.

    • Bring a comfortable pair of shoes and a supportive friend.

    • Skip the “cheese”—just relax, be yourself, and let your confidence show.

    Hosted by: Cory Dixon, Cory Dixon Photography

    Location: If you don’t see the photographer, just ask for directions at the Career Exploration Welcome Table 

activations

Friday, October 31, 2025
Nathelyne Archie-Kennedy Building, School of Architecture

Select from a range of activations—hands-on, interactive experiences led by designers, practitioners, and educators. Each activation runs 45 minutes, giving you time to explore, engage, and connect across rotating sessions.

10:20 AM - 11:10 AM

  • Description: This activation explores design dexterity—how Black designers both perform within inequitable systems and transform them. You’ll map barriers, share strategies, and turn lived experience into actionable tools.

  • Description: Translate design into deliverables. Master print-ready setup—bleeds, dies, emboss/deboss, Pantone, paper—and leave with a step-by-step checklist for press.

  • Description: Launch smart: a practical intro to forming a business or nonprofit—entity basics, early IP, and what to prep for investors or 501(c)(3). Leave with questions to ask, who to call, and where to start.

  • Description: Produce more without losing the craft. Taf Chiriga shares practical ways to pair clear workflows and focused teams with good listening—so you can scale output fast while keeping the work intentional and human.

  • Description: Discover how temporary environments—expo designs, pop-ups, launches, and brand activations—can create lasting impact. The essentials of space planning and immersive design using the “feel, know, do” framework to turn storytelling into engaging experiences.

11:15 AM - 12 PM

  • Description: This activation explores design dexterity—how Black designers both perform within inequitable systems and transform them. You’ll map barriers, share strategies, and turn lived experience into actionable tools.

  • Description: Translate design into deliverables. Master print-ready setup—bleeds, dies, emboss/deboss, Pantone, paper—and leave with a step-by-step checklist for press.

  • Description: Launch smart: a practical intro to forming a business or nonprofit—entity basics, early IP, and what to prep for investors or 501(c)(3). Leave with questions to ask, who to call, and where to start.

  • Description: A fast, reflective design sprint to prep for entrepreneurship or career shifts while staying rooted in community support. Leave with a one-of-a-kind mixTAPE asset map to keep your growth and your people moving forward.

  • Description: Jomo Tariku shares his 30-year journey in developing a personal design language rooted in African heritage and contemporary innovation—exploring identity, culture, and craft through the lens of modern design.

2:35 PM - 3:20 PM

  • Description: This activation explores design dexterity—how Black designers both perform within inequitable systems and transform them. You’ll map barriers, share strategies, and turn lived experience into actionable tools.

  • Description: Jomo Tariku shares his 30-year journey in developing a personal design language rooted in African heritage and contemporary innovation—exploring identity, culture, and craft through the lens of modern design.

  • Description: Produce more without losing the craft. Taf Chiriga shares practical ways to pair clear workflows and focused teams with good listening—so you can scale output fast while keeping the work intentional and human.

  • Description: A fast, reflective design sprint to prep for entrepreneurship or career shifts while staying rooted in community support. Leave with a one-of-a-kind mixTAPE asset map to keep your growth and your people moving forward.

  • Description: VIRTUAL (This session is designed for our attendess joining us virtually. Learn the real-world strategy for diversifying your design degree beyond traditional roles. This session provides tangible steps for self-branding, portfolio maintenance, and identifying high-value, non-design careers where your visual and problem-solving skills are essential.

3:25 PM - 4:10 PM

  • Description: Jomo Tariku shares his 30-year journey in developing a personal design language rooted in African heritage and contemporary innovation—exploring identity, culture, and craft through the lens of modern design.

  • Description: Discover how temporary environments—expo designs, pop-ups, launches, and brand activations—can create lasting impact. The essentials of space planning and immersive design using the “feel, know, do” framework to turn storytelling into engaging experiences.

  • Description: This activation explores design dexterity—how Black designers both perform within inequitable systems and transform them. You’ll map barriers, share strategies, and turn lived experience into actionable tools.

  • Description: VIRTUAL (This session is designed for our attendess joining us virtually. Explore how design, memory, and cultural imagination shape Black space and identity across the American West. This session reexamines the landscapes of Los Angeles and beyond through the lens of Black presence, resilience, and possibility.

Saturday, November 1, 2025
Nathelyne Archie-Kennedy Building, School of Architecture

10:00–11:30 AM

  • Description: Join Omari Souza, Founder, State of Black Design, for a morning of powerful ideas and creative resistance—exploring how design can confront inequity and catalyze community transformation.

    Give to get a signed book: Make a donation to The State of Black Design (SoBD) to receive a signed copy of Design Against Racism. State of Black Design is proud to partner with Philanthropic Ventures Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 94-3136771). Your gift is fully tax-deductible.