OCT 30 – NOV 1, 2025
Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU)
Prairie View, TX
School of Architecture's Nathelyne Archie Kennedy Building
The State of Black Design is back! Our sixth conference is heading to Texas, the birthplace of Juneteenth and a place rooted in creativity, resilience, and culture.
Still Tippin’ is the 2025 theme, inspired by Houston’s swagger where tradition meets innovation and design shapes the future.
As a bonus, join us for the PVAMU Panthers vs. Alabama State Hornets football game on November 1st. SoBD will provide complimentary tickets for conference attendees.
WHAT TO EXPECT
KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS & PANELS
Gain insights from leading voices in UX, graphic design, fashion, product, interior, industrial design, architecture, and beyond.
HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS
Build new skills with practical tools, strategies, and design methods you can start using right away.
CAREER EXPLORATION
Connect directly with Fortune 500 companies and recruiters seeking diverse creative talent.
NETWORKING & COMMUNITY
Engage with educators, industry professionals, and rising designers from across the country.
FOOD & CULTURE
Enjoy a true Texas experience with local flavor and culture to the conference.
WHERE IT’S HAPPENING
Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), one of Texas’s most prestigious HBCUs, stands as a symbol of Black excellence, innovation, and leadership. This year’s venue provides a powerful backdrop for exploring how history, culture, and creativity continue to shape our collective future.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Designers, students, educators, recruiters, community leaders, and anyone passionate about the intersection of design, culture, equity, and innovation. Whether you’re refining your portfolio, searching for top talent, or building connections within a national creative network, this conference is designed for you.
GET INVOLVED
SPONSOR OR PARTNER
Join us in advancing Black excellence in design. Explore sponsorship and partnership opportunities to see how you can be part of the movement.
Start the Conversation →
donate
Support diversity in design and amplify Black voices. SoBD is fiscally sponsored by Philanthropic Ventures Foundation, and all donations are 100% tax-deductible.
Donate Now →
More Ways to Give →
meet the still tippin’ designers
John ferguson | Brand designer
Bio coming soon
India Graves | merch designer
India Graves is a Texas-based designer and 3rd year Digital Media Arts major at Prairie View A&M University, originally from Chicago, Illinois.
She has served as an intern for the 2025 State of Black Design: Still Tippin’ Conference, contributing her creativity and vision to the conference held at Prairie View A&M University. bringing ideas to life through visuals that reflect history, identity, and community pride. India is passionate about artistic expression and driven to fulfill her creative vision through design.
For the Conference, India designed the official merchandise collection, including shirts, patches, and keychains. Inspired by the conference’s “family reunion” vibe, her t-shirt designs captured that energy with airbrush and graffiti-style lettering while the patches pay tribute to Prairie View’s early campus culture. Students proudly displayed their organizational pride through custom emblems symbolizing belonging and legacy. With limited availability, these designs serve as keepsakes for those who took part in this pivotal chapter in PVAMU’s School of Architecture Digital Media Arts Program and State of Black Design history. Rooted in Prairie View’s signature purple and gold, with accents of black for a bold SoBD touch, her work celebrates the intersection of tradition and modern design. India aims to continue refining her craft, making her mark in the graphic design and digital media industry, while using her art to represent creativity, connection, and culture.