(Above image: IIDA South Florida Chapter hosts Diversity by Design workshops for students in grades 6-12. Image courtesy of IIDA South Florida Chapter)
From creating inclusive spaces, to offering professional development opportunities, our IIDA chapters strive to drive the design profession forward and make an impact on their communities. The 2025 IIDA Chapter Awards winners do all this and more, all while prioritizing EDI initiatives alongside their chapter missions. Join us in celebrating our 2025 awardees — the IIDA Georgia, IIDA Ohio Kentucky, IIDA Tennessee, and IIDA South Florida chapters — and learning a little more about each of their projects.
IIDA Georgia: Georgia Voice of Design
Inspired by a visit to the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago where they viewed the Black Creativity Exhibition, Georgia chapter leaders were inspired to create their own exhibition. Georgia Voice of Design (GVO), was created to acknowledge and celebrate black design professionals who have been essential in paving the way for current and future minority designers in the state of Georgia. The exhibit featured 11 design professionals, and each designer got to share their personal and career journeys, and how they’ve navigated the industry as a black professional. Honorees who spoke included Ronnie Belizaire, FIIDA, independent design consultant and Courtnei Maxwell, IIDA, IIDA's 2025 Member of the Year.
Image courtesy of IIDA Georgia Chapter
Image courtesy of IIDA Georgia Chapter
IIDA Ohio/Kentucky: SHIFT Student Conference
For the past seven years the IIDA Ohio/Kentucky Chapter has provided scholarships for students to attend the IIDA Texas/Oklahoma SHIFT Student Conference but this year was different. This past year was the first time IIDA Ohio/Kentucky held their own SHIFT Student Conference. 90 students from 19 different universities gathered for two full days of learning, professional development, networking, fun, and community building. This was a huge win for the chapter — hosting SHIFT allowed them to unify students from different states but also across the Midwest. Students participated in firm tours, keynote presentations, workshops, and social gatherings helping them develop their professional networks both with each other and industry professionals.
“Attending [IIDA Ohio/Kentucky] SHIFT was truly an eye-opening experience. It provided me with invaluable insights into the real world of design, and helped me better understand the dynamic and evolving design industry. It also opened doors to many new opportunities and meaningful connections. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to deepen their knowledge and expand their network in the field of design,” said Alison Blackford, Student IIDA, Bowling Green State University.
Learn more about IIDA Ohio/Kentucky: SHIFT Student Conference
Image courtesy of IIDA Ohio/Kentucky Chapter
Image courtesy of IIDA Ohio/Kentucky Chapter
IIDA Tennessee: Rise and Refine
Recognizing a need for more engaging programming benefits for their members, IIDA Tennessee chapter leadership introduced Rise and Refine, a two-day event created to provide career-enhancing resources for chapter members. The inaugural Rise and Refine event featured a private leadership dinner, where select designers participated in discussions on workplace challenges, a roundtable, and summit sessions focused on professional development skills and tools to help advance their careers.
“Reflecting on the success of Rise and Refine, we are excited to build on this momentum with a larger committee and an even more impactful experience next year. The event’s structure proved to be a valuable resource for our members. With growing sponsorship, Rise and Refine is positioned to become a signature annual event that continues to evolve with the needs of our industry.”- IIDA Tennessee Chapter
Image courtesy of IIDA Tennesse Chapter
Image courtesy of IIDA Tennesse Chapter
IIDA South Florida: Diversity by Design Workshops
This past year IIDA South Florida has developed educational programming for students in grades 6-12 called Diversity by Design. Diversity by Design is led by chapter members who help to foster inclusivity and encourage self-expression to students. In these workshops they introduce students to the world of interior design through different design activities, one main activity they presented to students was designing their dream bedroom. Once students finish the workshops they walk away with knowledge of the basic principles of interior design, understanding how design influences your environment, and what career opportunities exist within the interior design industry.
“Diversity by Design workshops are more than just educational programs; they are catalysts for self-discovery and empowerment.” — IIDA South Florida Chapter
Image courtesy of IIDA South Florida Chapter
Image courtesy of IIDA South Florida Chapter
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