The d.school values design as a powerful means to foster belonging, equity, and transformation.
The inVISIBLE Designers series carries on that mission and aligns with the commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by centering the voices and practices of those who navigate, push forward, and push back against systemic barriers. The inVISIBLE Designers series strives to recenter these narratives with a platform for students, faculty, and community members about the power of community, storytelling, and collective action. In communion with these designers, we expand our understanding of what design can do and whom it should serve.
This series took place January 2022 to February 2024, during which time we were still working through COVID-19 pandemic protocols.
"Design bridges the gaps between the visible and the invisible, giving form to stories that demand to be told." — Milan Drake
Making the Invisible, Visible
(in)Visible Designers is a series that highlights designers whose contributions to their communities defy conventional definitions of design. While these designers may not self-identify as such, their work is essential to the world of design regardless of the label, challenges norms, reshapes systems and reimagines what is possible through design methods.
By making the invisible visible, I am excited to celebrate and share the contributions of these designers with the d.school community and the greater Stanford community.
Episode 1: Angela Y. Davis
"Imagination is so important. Why? Because imagining that, which does not yet exist, is key to our struggle for freedom."—Angela Y. Davis
Our first event was with Ms. Angela Y. Davis. Our conversation explored how activism serves as a tool for dismantling systemic oppression. Through Davis' stories and reflections, this session highlighted her many intersections of community, history, and academic activism toward abolitionist futures. The session focused on the changing power of ancestral acknowledgments, inspiring attendees to think critically about new radical inclusivity while remembering radical inclusivity from the past.
This hybrid event marked an effort to reimagine in-person and virtual spaces amid pandemic concerns. Ms. Davis joined via Zoom while students, faculty, and community members gathered in Studio 2 for a live design sprint and interactive podcast-style discussion. The agenda began with a design sprint (the Mixtape Manifesto), followed by participant reflections and a short break.
Ms. Davis explored why inclusive frameworks matter and their importance in shaping abolitionist futures while offering actionable insights to apply in the classroom, community, and beyond.
Ms. Davis walked us through and talked us through her blueprint for integrating activism and community into their design practices. The conversation provided an understanding of how to see and consider community in every aspect of their design work. By hearing Davis' thoughts about how she designed and contributed to social change from her youth until today (yes, we did sing "Happy Birthday" as she celebrated her 78th birthday at the time of our recording), remaining diligent and thoughtful about how she designs with intention. Though the hybrid model allowed many people to attend while safely distancing, I cannot help but feel that her presence in the physical space would have profoundly impacted me and everyone in attendance.
What We Learned
Education as Liberation: Education serves as both a pathway to and a reflection of freedom, offering the tools to envision and create a more just world.
Clearing Space for Innovation: Radical inclusivity demands dismantling oppressive systems and creating new structures prioritizing justice and equity.
Collective Strength: Meaningful change is rooted in the power of community and collective action, as no significant achievements happen in isolation.
Collaborations: DAAAS + Dr. Katie Dieter (Interim Director) + Angela Y. Davis
Episode 2: Akintunde Ahmad
"My story is about connecting across differences — not just telling, but creating belonging through listening."—Akintunde Ahmad
During the live podcast, Stanford and the world returned to the required masking protocol, similar to Angela Y. Davis' event. Therefore, we offered a hybrid option, using Zoom and in-person participation. During our time, Akintunde Ahmad shared his journey of navigating multiple academic pathways—from Oakland Tech, Brown University, Yale University, and the University of Ghana to ultimately founding Ade Dehye, a fashion brand rooted in the African Diaspora. Inspired by the vibrant fashion culture and his time in Ghana, he blended West African textiles with urban streetwear and luxury design. Ade Dehye reflects his commitment to ethical and sustainable production in Ghana, investing in the Black community while contributing to Africa's growing economy.
Akintunde emphasized the importance of pivoting and prototyping as tools for merging creativity with purpose. He discussed how cultural identity and upcycling have shaped his entrepreneurial journey. Ahmad designed ways to reimagine his understanding of design by centering his African roots in his work.
Partnering with Akintunde was amazing. Unexpectedly, there were a lot of Stanford students from Oakland present who were well aware of Akintunde's legacy as an Oakland Tech student and Oakland native. Akintunde set several academic records during his time at Oakland Tech, and a Stanford student who broke all of Akintunde's educational records was present and is now a mentee of his.
Students were excited to talk to Akintunde, and their questions and enthusiasm planted a seed for us to continue working together in the future.
What We Learned
Environmental Responsibility: Sustainable production practices like upcycling can prioritize environmental care while bolstering global consciousness.
Cultural Connections: Afrocentricity combined with design thinking can bridge culture and innovation.
Entrepreneurial Innovation: Fashion can serve as a tool for driving economic growth and amplifying stories of communal resilience.
Collaborations: DAAAS + Dr. Katie Dieter (Interim Director) + The Black House + Rosalind Conerly (Exec Dir) + Akintunde Ahmad
Episode 3: Derrica Wilson & Natalie Wilson–A Night wiht Black and Missing
"When we bring these stories to the forefront, we are not just raising awareness — we are saving lives." — Natalie Wilson
Our third inVISIBLE Designers event spotlighted the Black and Missing Foundation (BAMFI), founded in 2008 to bring awareness to missing persons of color, support their families, and educate communities on safety. BAMFI's Emmy®-nominated HBO documentary was where I first learned about Derrica and Natalie's efforts to combat systemic neglect centering the search for Black people gone missing. Moderated by Aleta Hayes (Stanford Lecturer, Performing Arts), Felicia Smith (Racial Justice & Social Equity Librarian), and myself, the live podcast discussion at the d.school centered on advocacy and actionable steps for change.
This event was during presentation week for Needfinding for Activists, a Fall 2022 course that, through a partnership I initiated with BAMFI, explored messaging strategies for engaging their target audience: what do they need to hear to donate, engage, and get involved? Derrica and Natalie visited Stanford to participate in class presentations, network at the d.school, and tour the Green Library, Black House, the DAAAS, and the School of Education. The podcast/panel highlighted, "How might we empower students and the community abroad to merge design methods with activism, creating storytelling frameworks that advance BANFI's mission for media inclusivity?"
Through my recommendation and coaching, we collaborated to document the course's impact and provide valuable resources for future partnerships. Led by Emma and Goutham's perspectives, we were able to document what unfolded during the course and what these experiences reveal about the dynamic relationship between universities, activism, and organizations like BAMFI. We captured specific recommendations for BAMFI, insights for a teaching team considering future course iterations, and detailed thematic findings. We also noted actionable guidance on approaching and executing a communal collaboration and the delicate care needed to consider forming a similar course and project when blending students familiar and unfamiliar with community activism. The documentation of this work served as a gift to Derrica and Natalie, honoring their time, dedication, and aspirations to continue this much-needed work.
What We Learned
Multiple Ways to Act: Providing meals or spreading the word (social media, phone, etc.) is critical in aiding families of missing persons—no feat is too small.
Challenging Misconceptions: Addressing systemic biases and misinformation is essential to overcoming barriers in recovery efforts for missing persons of color.
Hope Changes Things: With hope and perseverance, we can bridge gaps in advocacy and inspire actionable solutions from our local, national, and law enforcement media.
Collaborations: DAAAS + Dr. Katie Dieter (Interim Director) + The Black House + Rosalind Conerly (Exec Dir) + Green Library + Felicia Smith (Racial Justice & Social Equity Librarian) + Derrica Wison + Natalie Wilson (Black and Missing Foundation) + Aleta Hayes (Lecturer, Performing Arts)
Episode 4: Cheryl Miller
"The history I want to make is an untold story that I am the only one who knows very well."—Cheryl D. Miller
Ms. Cheryl D. Miller and the Black Graphic Design History Collections at Stanford Libraries inspired this event, celebrating the intersections of design, history, and social justice. The day included a public viewing of the Library collections, a design sprint on speculative futures, and a panel discussion exploring the significance of Black design history and its integration into archival practices.
Ms. Miller's visit began with a stop at the Black House. This introduction connected Ms. Miller with Black Stanford faculty, staff, and students—particularly those from underrepresented communities—and made folks over at The Black House aware of the types of "bridges" we are working to design at the d.school.
Ms. Miller participated in an open house in the Green Library's Barchas Room the following day. Visitors explored selections from the Black Graphic Design History Collections, hand-picked by Regina Roberts (Lead Collection Development Librarian for the Black Graphic Design History Collections). The live podcast was well publicized and open to the public. Many students, faculty, and community members enjoyed the rare opportunity to view library archives.
Later that evening, I led the Mixtape Manifesto exercise, which transitioned into the Black Power and Print panel discussion.
Surrounded by books and art, Ms. Miller and I discussed her years of contributions to the past and our hopes for her future contributions. It was indeed an honor to share the stage with her.
What We Learned
Where are all the Black Designers? Make efforts to preserve the history of Black design and its contributors.
Don't Deny Race: Embracing race, history, and design can work to create inclusive practices, spaces, design pedagogies, and research.
Archival Accessibility: Archives are essential, and we should design ways to make them more accessible.
Collaborations: Regina Roberts (Lead Collection Development Librarian for the Black Graphic Design History Collections) + Green Library + Felicia Smith (Racial Justice & Social Equity Librarian)
Reflection
It took all four of these events to lock down a fully comprehensive approach to hosting live podcasts and panels in a way that I feel is genuinely beneficial and productive for the d.school and the d.school community—students, faculty, community partners, and the broader Stanford community. These events align directly with how I practice building equitable and inclusive conversations while giving people a reason to step into the d.school, even though it might feel unfamiliar or unclear to them.
Whether they know little about the d.school or feel the space requires demystification, questions like "What is happening here?" or “Do I belong here?" often surface. Creating these events bridges that gap of belonging and (mis)understanding.
Related Resources
The Mixtape Manifesto
Designing Bridges
Credit
Milan Drake