At IKM Architecture, equity is more than one of our core values. It’s at the heart of how we design and collaborate. We believe the best design solutions emerge when diverse voices contribute to the conversations that challenge us most.
This Black History Month, we asked our team to reflect on the Black architects, artists, and designers who have most influenced their personal and professional journeys.
Read on to discover five impactful individuals whose stories and work continue to shape the future of architecture and design.
Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA
Executive Vice President and CEO of IIDA
Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA, is a trailblazing leader in interior design, serving as the Executive Vice President and CEO of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), where she champions diversity, innovation, and the transformative power of design in the built environment.
Selected by: Katie Gumina, Associate IIDA
What inspired you to choose this individual?
Cheryl has been a cornerstone of the interior design industry, leading IIDA as CEO since 2002 during a time of financial uncertainty. She played a pivotal role in turning the organization around, transparently steering it out of debt within just 18 months. Her mission has always been to challenge the misconception that interior designers can’t be both creative and business-minded. She believed that IIDA’s recovery was essential not only for the organization, but also for inspiring future designers and industry collaborators.
How has this person’s work or story influenced your own perspective or career in architecture/interior design?
Cheryl’s journey – from growing up in Toledo, Ohio, to starting her career in sales – may differ from my own, but we share a common thread: a natural creative instinct that led us to the world of design. Her emphasis on the ‘why’ behind design’s impact on communities is particularly inspiring, as it aligns with the humanitarian approach I strive to bring to my projects and teams.
Are there any personal or professional lessons you’ve taken from their work or career journey?
Cheryl’s career underscores the importance of mentorship and the responsibility to guide future generations. She has shown that true progress comes from balancing innovation with respect for history by embracing new technologies, ideas, and methods while ensuring the sustainability of our practice.
What lessons can today’s designers and architects learn from their contributions?
No matter how difficult the road ahead may seem, if you have a passion for the greater good, your efforts will be recognized, and future generations will be indebted to your contributions. Interior designers have often faced challenges when entering the world of architecture, engineering, and construction. However, thanks to Cheryl’s unwavering support, we have grown into more well-rounded and respected professionals.
Jean-Michel Basquiat
American Artist
Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960–1988) was a groundbreaking artist who rose from the New York graffiti scene to global fame. He used bold imagery and social commentary to explore race, identity, and power in his neo-expressionist paintings.
Selected by: Ty Juan Swanson-Sawyer, Associate AIA
What inspired you to choose this individual?
Jean-Michel Basquiat had a unique artistic approach that drew from his culture and the built environment he grew up in. His work tackled societal issues, race, and personal identity with a depth that transcended his time.
What specific project or design by this individual stands out to you, and why?
“The Warrior,” from Basquiat’s first exhibit in 1982, captivates me with its dynamic energy and magnetic presence. The depiction of an African American figure as a powerful protagonist is a common theme in his work and shares many characteristics with his previous street art.
How has this person’s work or story influenced your own perspective or career in architecture/interior design?
Using street art, which was once demonized and criminalized, to gain profound recognition in the art world is truly inspiring. The powerful works he created resonated with many and continue to leave a lasting impact on the art world today. His work has shown me that success is possible while challenging and redefining what is considered “acceptable.”
Are there any personal or professional lessons you’ve taken from their work or career journey?
Jean-Michel’s authenticity in his craft and cultural heritage is evident in his work, inspiring me to embrace my own identity in my profession. His journey has shown me that fearlessly pursuing your dreams, while staying true to who you are, can lead to meaningful success.
Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, NOMAC, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
American Architect, 2024 AIA President
Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, NOMAC, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, is an accomplished architect and a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. She served as President of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) from 2019 to 2020, and in 2024, she became the first Black woman to be inaugurated as President of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Currently, she is a Principal and Director of Strategic Relationships at HOK.
Selected by: Ty Juan Swanson-Sawyer, Associate AIA
What inspired you to choose this individual?
Seeing a successful, multifaceted African American woman become a principal at a top firm and the leader of AIA is truly awe-inspiring. Her accomplishments are a powerful testament to breaking barriers in the architecture profession.
How has this person’s work or story influenced your own perspective or career in architecture/interior design?
Kimberly inspires me, and many others, by demonstrating that success and career advancement are within reach. African American architects are rarely seen in the influential roles she has achieved, and her accomplishments motivate me to strive for similar heights in my career.
Are there any personal or professional lessons you’ve taken from their work or career journey?
Reaching professional achievements through hard work and dedication is something I aspire to. Although many barriers and ceilings in the architectural profession still need to be dismantled, she has shown by example that it is possible.
How do you see their contributions shaping the future of architecture and design?
Her presence and advocacy will inspire the next generation of African American men and women to pursue architecture. Kimberly’s dedication to diversifying the profession through her work with NOMA and AIA serves as a powerful example for aspiring architects.
Virgil Abloh
American Fashion Designer
Virgil Abloh (1980–2021) was a visionary designer, architect, and creative director. He was best known for founding Off-White, a brand that redefines the intersection of streetwear and luxury fashion. He also made history as the first Black artistic director of Louis Vuitton Menswear.
Selected by: Jessica Sandy
What inspired you to choose this individual?
Virgil Abloh was a versatile and creative force who spanned many mediums and industries, including fashion, architecture, product design, and graphic design. His work and approach offer something unique and thought-provoking for everyone to learn from.
What specific project or design by this individual stands out to you, and why?
His ability to recontextualize anything and give it new meaning sparks so much inspiration. Whether transforming an industrial textile into a high-fashion garment or turning the Mona Lisa into a backlit, wall-mounted piece available at IKEA, his work plays off the readymade art style, assigning new purpose and value to mass-manufactured objects. His bold use of text and “quotation marks” is easily distinguishable and cleverly tongue-in-cheek.
Are there any personal or professional lessons you’ve taken from their work or career journey?
There are many elements of Virgil’s design approach that resonate with me. Michael Burke, Chief Executive of Louis Vuitton, said, “Virgil is incredibly good at creating bridges between the classic and the zeitgeist of the moment.” This approach is brilliant, taking what is familiar to the masses and making it new. It creates interest and tension while keeping designs approachable and memorable.
What lessons can today’s designers and architects learn from their contributions?
Virgil’s 3% rule is a design principle that can be applied across many industries and art mediums. It involves making a small, 3%, change to something already in existence rather than creating something entirely new. There are infinite ways this rule could be interpreted or applied that could lead to impactful solutions.
Paul R. Williams, FAIA
American Architect
Paul R. Williams (1894–1980) was a pioneering architect known for his timeless designs, including luxury homes, public buildings, and landmark projects across Los Angeles. He also broke racial barriers by becoming the first Black member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Selected by: Ty Juan Swanson-Sawyer, Associate AIA
What inspired you to choose this individual?
I wanted more people to learn about his success and contributions to the built environment. I’ve often heard of iconic figures like Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier, but rarely about those who look like me. African American architects are rarely included in discussions about the “starchitects” of the past.
What specific project or design by this individual stands out to you, and why?
The Theme Building, at Los Angeles International Airport, has left a lasting impression on me. Designed in the late 1950s, its futuristic, space-like aesthetic remains striking and timeless even today.
Are there any personal or professional lessons you’ve taken from their work or career journey?
What I admire most about his career is his perseverance and dedication to his craft during a time when many like him didn’t have the opportunity to shape the built environment. He cared not only about the beauty that design could bring but also about the practicality and functionality of each space.
How do you see their contributions shaping the future of architecture and design?
His contributions are already evident, as he has inspired generations of African American architects by breaking barriers and showcasing his talent as a designer.
Editor: Ashley Poore; Assistant Editor and Graphic Designer: Jessica Sandy; Contributors: Katie Gumina, Ty Juan Swanson-Sawyer