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We are not the exception.

We are the architects.

Black Design Houston exists for one reason: Black designers in Houston — and everywhere — deserve a community built specifically for them. Not adjacent to them. Not inclusive of them. *For* them.

Mission

Elevating Black voices through exhibitions, critical dialogue, and the kind of community that makes belonging possible. Real, radical, sustained belonging.

Who we are

Empowering Black designers for a more inclusive future in design.

Founded in Houston in 2024, Black Design Houston builds community infrastructure for Black creatives — events, mentorship, critical conversation, and the organizational scaffolding to sustain it all.

We are grounded in Dr. David McMillan's Sense of Community theory. Membership. Influence. Integration of needs. Shared emotional connection. These aren't abstract values — they are the architecture of everything we build.

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Funders & Partners

BDH is made possible by these organizations.

Presenting Sponsors

Fresh Arts

Supporting Partners

TBD TBD TBD

Community Partners

African American Graphic Designers Oqupi Houston

Become a sponsor or partner →

Racial Representation

U.S. Design Industry

Source: AIGA Design Census · Illustrative data

White

Hispanic/Latino

Asian

Black

Other

5%of designers are Black

In an industry that shapes culture, 5% is not representation. It is erasure with paperwork.

Research Initiative — Launching 2026

Network Disparity Research

BDH's inaugural research initiative is mapping the structural inequities inside Houston's design industry — from hiring networks to mentorship pipelines to portfolio review access.

Hiring Bias

In Progress

Analyzing racial patterns in design hiring.

Network Access

In Progress

Mapping mentorship pipelines.

Portfolio Gatekeeping

In Progress

Investigating portfolio review bias.

Follow the Research →About BDH →

FAQ

Questions we hear a lot.

Still have questions?

Black Design Houston (BDH) is a nonprofit community organization for Black designers in Houston. We build belonging through programming, mentorship, community events, and critical design conversations. We are fiscally sponsored by Fresh Arts.

While BDH centers Black designers, our community includes creative directors, design educators, design researchers, illustrators, architects, and people who work adjacent to design. If design is part of your practice or professional life, you're welcome.

Our programming is Houston-based, but we welcome members from across Texas and the diaspora. Some events are in-person only; others are hybrid or virtual and open to anyone.

There is a place for you here

Get Involved

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Become a Member

Join The Fold and become part of the community. No barriers. Black designers at every career stage are welcome here.

Join now →

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Volunteer with Us

Bring your skills — event coordination, content creation, facilitation, research, grant writing. The community runs on people who show up.

Get involved →

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Find Grants

BDH curates funding opportunities relevant to Black designers and creative organizations — so you spend less time searching and more time building.

Browse opportunities →

The Dispatch

Stay connected with us.

BDH's biweekly newsletter — community news, design criticism, open calls, funding opportunities, and what we're reading, watching, and building. No spam. Community only.