about us.
Design Professional, we WELCOME you.
The design community influences the environment and allows us to experience the visual, audible, tactile, emotional, and physical space. If your work engages these experiences we encourage you to connect with us!
We BELIEVE that as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) design professionals our voices are integral in the creation of our diverse environments.
We SUSTAIN a vibrant and strong BIPOC design community by providing valuable resources, dynamic events, and meaningful connections for our members.
We EMPOWER BIPOC design professionals, amplify our accomplishments, and inspire the next generation to reach their full potential.
meet us.
Diversity in Design was co-founded in Portland, Oregon by Téjara Brown and Sun Joo Kim in 2018.
We have an amazing team of volunteers from a variety of design industries who make up the core team of change makers.
Téjara grew up in NE Portland, Oregon where her passion for creativity and the arts lead her to choose interior design as her career. A dynamic path lead her to work both in the design industry and the social sector where she gained a deeper understanding of the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the design and architecture fields.
Téjara has served on the IDC Oregon and IIDA Oregon boards and continues to work on developing relationships in the nonprofit, architecture, and design industries. She is currently a Senior Associate and Lead Interior Designer at FFA Architecture and Interiors. She enjoys dancing, volunteering, scrapbooking, and meeting new people.
Sun Joo is an architect, a writer, and an east coast transplant to Portland, Oregon. She has been a contributing editor for architecture and design at SmartPlanet, published work in Out of the Ordinary: Robert Venturi, Denise Scott Brown and Associates Architecture, Urbanism, Design, and co-authored Cool Spaces: The Best New Architecture. Her architectural experience includes stints in Washington DC, Philadelphia, Boston, and Portland.
Sun Joo is currently a Senior Management Consultant at the Charrette Venture Group and an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the industry. She enjoys playing with her young daughter, cooking, reading, and traveling.
Samir Mokashi
Advisor
Community Relations
Samir immigrated to the U.S. over three decades ago for a master’s degree in architecture and began Code Unlimited, an award-winning, minority-owned code consulting firm, that now has five office locations and a team of experts providing multidisciplinary services to the design and construction industry nationwide. Samir and his wife/ business partner have built a culture at their firm to embrace diversity and inclusion, as well as equal pay programs. The firm sponsors and volunteers at multiple university, committee, association, and community programs.
Samir has earned professional respect for his technical knowledge and business acumen. He is a sought-after speaker, published fire and life safety professional, highly regarded entrepreneur, and valued mentor to young professionals, minority business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Téjara Burt
Co-Founder, President
Executive Director - Development & Events
Sun Joo Kim
Co-Founder
events.
Diversity in Design hosts dynamic and engaging events throughout the year - from formal discussions to casual socials to innovative work sessions and collaborations with like-minded organizations.
We also like to share information about other events happening around the Portland-Metro area that support BIPOC design work, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Check out our calendar for an up-to-date listings of our and other local and virtual events! Click the links for more info and tickets.
resources.
One of our goals is to provide useful resources to inspire, empower, and support professionals of color in the design industries.
Here we've provided a database of articles, videos, and links that speak to the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Here, you can also help contribute to our library of resources.
Websites
Check out other websites that connect you with other professionals of color
Articles
Check out these articles to hear from professionals of color or a new perspective
Podcasts
Listen to leaders in the diversity, equity, and inclusion conversation
Books
Pick up a book that dives into the stories of diverse experiences
Videos
Watch a variety of informative videos on topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion
connect.
