CHICAGO —The IIDA Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 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.

Scholarship recipients include Autumn Clayton of the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, and Lauren Witter of Howard University, Washington. Winning submission videos can be viewed here.

“As an association and community, honoring this year’s recipients is especially meaningful with the passing of John J. Nelson Sr. His generosity, vision, and legacy continue to elevate diverse and talented voices within the next generation of designers,” said IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO, Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA. “IIDA Foundation supporters, IIDA members, and the Black IIDA students receiving this annual scholarship make up a strong collective that is building, amplifying, and celebrating the future of the profession.”

With a mission to promote inclusivity and accessibility across the design profession, John J. Nelson Sr.’s legacy gift to the IIDA Foundation supports young designers of African American descent through an annual scholarship program offering monetary aid.

Applications were reviewed by the Scholarship Fund Evaluation Committee and the IIDA Foundation Board of Trustees. The distinguished evaluation committee included CI Group Market President, Gilbert Broco, IIDA; Independent Design Professional, Diana Farmer-Gonzalez, IIDA; IA Interior Architects Senior Interior Designer, Tara Headley, IIDA; Hickok Cole Associate Principal and Director of Interiors, Mike Johnson II, IIDA; Edwards + Mulhausen Senior Interior Designer, Krystal Lucero, IIDA; and O|A Object Agency Founder and Principal, Jon Otis, IIDA.

For more information, please contact Continuing Education Manager Mary Tokar at mtokar@IIDA.org.