How do we improve diversity in the tech and design-related industries? What actions will create a more inclusive industry culture?
In an effort to start a dialog here in our community, AIGA Seattle proudly presents Viewpoints: Maurice Woods on Race + Design, the first event in our new diversity and inclusion programming initiative.
Maurice Woods has spent over 13 years bringing design to underrepresented minority communities. He founded Inneract Project, a San Francisco-based nonprofit organization that provides free design classes and training to underserved youth. For Maurice, his only passion greater than design is using it to give license to young people’s belief in themselves. His organization doesn’t simply teach young people skills for getting a job at a Google—instead it empowers them to find the courage and confidence to start the next Google.
Join us to hear Maurice discuss strategies for creating a more diverse workforce in design-related fields, including success stories from Inneract Project and challenges he faces in getting communities of color to consider design as a career. A moderated Q&A with Jessica Eggert will follow, and AIGA Seattle will recognize an outstanding alum from our AIGA Link Program with our first annual Link Award.
About Maurice Woods
Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Maurice attended the University of Washington on a basketball scholarship in the early 1990s where he earned a BFA in graphic design. After seven years as a professional basketball player, he returned to UW to complete his MFA degree in graphic design. Maurice currently lives in San Francisco where he is a Senior Experience Designer at MileIQ. A Jefferson Award winner, Maurice also lectures internationally on the topic of diversity and inclusion and contributes to multiple media outlets including the Wall Street Journal.
About the moderator, Jessica Eggert
Jessica is an inclusion and diversity advocate and social entrepreneur with a background in human resources and operations. She is passionate about helping people lead with inclusive mindsets, growing cultural awareness, and connecting people worlwide. Jessica is the founder and CEO of IncludeSeattle, a non-profit organization founded on the belief that future leaders will be inclusive leaders. Her team works with communities and organizations to increase cultural awareness, form inclusive environments, and help leadership tackle a variety of social issues caused by discrimination.
The AIGA Link Program
Link connects youth with artists and professionals to encourage expression, creativity, and self-esteem through innovative workshops and mentorship. Founded in 1994, the program is a Seattle-based group of board members, volunteers, and a paid administrator dedicated to enriching the lives of high school students with a passion for art. Our innovative program provides monthly workshops, portfolio development, gallery shows, and scholarship awards for higher education.
Our Diversity and Inclusion Initiative
AIGA’s national Diversity and Inclusion Initiative encourages diversity in design education, discourse, and practice to strengthen and expand the relevance of design in all areas of society. It augments ongoing AIGA programs with new ideas and resources that take a comprehensive approach, considering race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability and disability, age, and other factors that shape creative perspective and professional experience.
Thank you to our host and sponsor, Facebook Seattle!
Connections are at the core of everything we do at Facebook. That includes the connections we have to our local community in Seattle and all the places we have offices around the world. We've been in Seattle since 2010 and we plan to remain here. Our teams in Seattle range from machine learning to design, and have shipped amazing projects and systems like video calling for Messenger and 360 photos. We love Seattle and will continue to invest in the region both in terms of talent and community involvement.
Special thanks to AIGA Seattle's Annual Platinum Partner, Creative Circle.
