CHICAGO — The IIDA Foundation and John J. Nelson Sr. are honored to announce the recipients of the 2021 John J. Nelson Sr. Legacy Scholarship, a fund established to support diversity and further the study of interior design and architecture by students of African American descent.

The scholarship recipients are Katrina Alvarez, Student IIDA, of New York Institute of Technology; and Rai Savage, Student IIDA, of Maryville University. You may watch the winning video submissions here. Each student will receive $10,000 in scholarship funds.

“We must continue recognizing the crucial need to diversify the design profession and ensure the industry’s future is equitable and inclusive,” said IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO, Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA. “Year after year, we are incredibly honored to collaborate with the John J. Nelson Sr. Legacy Scholarship Fund to showcase design as a viable and rewarding career path as well as to champion a new wave of industry leaders.”

John J. Nelson Sr. continues to drive inclusivity and shares the IIDA Foundation’s mission to increase accessibility of design education and resources to those underrepresented in the industry.

“This year’s scholarship recipients showcase both thoughtful and prolific talents with a desire to learn,” said Nelson Sr. “Additionally, they’re representative of the future of our industry—a future filled with voices and perspectives that will influence and inspire our field and beyond.”

Applications were reviewed by the Scholarship Fund Evaluation Committee and the IIDA Foundation Board of Trustees. The distinguished evaluation committee included Jones Lang Lasalle Vice President, Ronnie Belizaire, FIIDA; IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO, Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA; Perkins+Will Senior Associate, Mike Johnson II, IIDA, AIA; Perkins+Will Director of Global Diversity, Gabrielle Bullock, IIDA, FAIA, NOMA; and John J. Nelson Sr.

For questions or more information, please contact IIDA Director of Association Experience Ryan Ben at rben@iida.org.