OBD History
The Organization of Black Designers (OBD) is a multicultural, multidisciplinary professional association of more than 10,000 members located throughout the United States and world committed to the increased visibility, empowerment and support of its membership.
OBD membership is open to all qualified design professionals practicing its specified disciplines, regardless of race, gender or sexual preference. Our mission is to enhance and improve the totality of the American design professions by energizing them with creative diversity.
The Organization of Black Designers was formed in 1990 to create greater awareness within the design professions of the presence and contributions of African Americans and other designers of color. As a multidisciplinary membership organization our goal is to foster increased dialogue and interaction between design disciplines and practicing design professionals.
Throughout the organizations fifteen year expansion, OBD has initiated, sponsored or collaborated on a number of ground-breaking events and activities including:
- the first multicultural, multidiscipline design conference series entitled, DesigNation ; - establishment of regional and national educational grants and scholarships;
- employment referral and job placement assistance;
- regional workshops, seminars and symposia;
- mentoring and professional coaching;
- professional membership networking opportunities.
OBD continues to provide successful opportunities for its members to network, showcase, fraternize and support one another through an organizational structure dedicated to elevating, proclaiming, archiving and encouraging its membership to aspire to excellence in professional design practice.
OBD Manifesto
The Organization of Black Designers is a non-profit international professional association dedicated to promoting the visibility, empowerment and interaction of its membership and the understanding and value that diverse design perspectives contribute to world culture and commerce.
OBD Mission
OBD was founded to:
Educate the design professions regarding the contributions of African Americans and other designers of color;Increase the number and visibility of African American designers and other designers of color; Promote and assist the economic empowerment of African American designers and other designers of color.
Our commitment is to:
Invigorate and regenerate our professions to create environments where diversity is imperative and valued; Honor and proclaim our contributions to the design professions now and throughout history so that they will no longer be hidden or ignored; Mutually aid and support each member's professional and personal growth and well-being; Reach out and serve the communities in which we live with our expertise, energy and vision.
