Belonging is not a benefit. It is the architecture.
Four tiers. One investment model. Yours to choose.
Membership at BDH is not a transaction. It is an investment. The more you invest — presence, participation, leadership, stewardship — the more BDH belongs to you.
Community architecture
Four tiers. One investment model.
Membership at BDH is not a transaction. It is an investment. The more you invest — presence, participation, leadership, stewardship — the more BDH belongs to you.
Membership — What's included
The more you invest, the more BDH belongs to you.
Membership is not a subscription. It is a commitment. Each tier reflects a deeper level of investment in the community — and unlocks a deeper level of belonging, resources, and influence.
Features | Open The Fold You found us. You belong. | Core The Circle You've invested. You're in. | Leadership The Studio You're building something here. | Stewardship The Council You are BDH. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Access | ||||
| Access to all public BDH events | ||||
| BDH newsletter — The Dispatch | ||||
| Community channel access | ||||
| BDH member recognition | ||||
| Programming | ||||
| Priority access to workshops & book club | ||||
| Design Dialogues — featured participant | Limited | |||
| Invitations to Private Dinners | ||||
| Voting input on BDH programming | ||||
| Mentorship | ||||
| Mentorship matching (as mentee) | ||||
| Mentorship matching (as mentor) | ||||
| Access to The Lineage cohort program | ||||
| Leadership & Influence | ||||
| Lead or co-facilitate a BDH program | ||||
| Shape the programming calendar | ||||
| Featured in BDH public communications | ||||
| Input into organizational direction | ||||
| Products & Resources | ||||
| Early access to BDH products & collabs | ||||
| The Design Blueprint — member discount | ||||
| Credit in BDH grant narratives | ||||
| Strategic Access | ||||
| Full organizational leadership role | ||||
| Grant strategy & budget involvement | ||||
| Represent BDH at major industry events | ||||
| Legacy recognition in BDH documentation | ||||
Ready to join? | Join The Fold → | Join The Circle → | Apply to The Studio → | Learn More → |
BDH's membership architecture is built on Dr. David McMillan's Sense of Community theory. The more you invest — presence, participation, leadership, stewardship — the more the community belongs to you, and you to it.
There is a place for you here
Get Involved
Become a Member
Join The Fold and become part of the community. No barriers. Black designers at every career stage are welcome here.
Volunteer with Us
Bring your skills — event coordination, content creation, facilitation, research, grant writing. The community runs on people who show up.
Find Grants
BDH curates funding opportunities relevant to Black designers and creative organizations — so you spend less time searching and more time building.
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.