Black Artists + Designers Guild Hosts Inaugural ‘BADG of HONOR’ Event in New York

A well-heeled crowd joined the Black Artists + Designers Guild at their first BADG of HONOR event in New York on October 26 to celebrate Black visionaries in the field. BADG, in partnership with Interior Design, hosted the dynamic evening at Samsung 837, which kicked off with an immersive experience in the guild’s Obsidian Virtual Concept House followed by an awards ceremony and fundraiser.  

Led by MC and BADG Maker Kesha Franklin, the BADG of HONOR awards spotlighted five standouts in the architecture and design community for honoring their ancestral legacies and celebrating Black creativity and culture in their work. Award recipients are: Collective Circle Award winner, Mashonda Tifrere, founder of ArtLeadHER; Education Award winner, Dr. Dori Tunstall, dean of design at OCAD University; Founder Award winner, Walter Hood, creative director and founder of Hood Design Studio; Legacy Award winner, Franklin Sirmans, director of Pérez Art Museum Miami; and BADG Maker Award winner, Jomo Tariku, industrial and furniture designer.  

Adding to the buzz, the guild announced the launch of its second grant—the Creative Visionary grant—during the ceremony. Developed for advanced Black professionals in art, architecture, design, and material culture with an eye toward decolonizing the field as well as creating work that affirms Black Diasporic culture, the grant will award three winners $10,000 each to further their research and projects in this area, including one BADG Maker. Submissions open November 1, with recipients announced in Spring, 2023.

Throughout the night, guests also perused BADG’s Black Joy auction, featuring collectible art and design pieces, experiences, as well as professional services donated by BADG Makers and supporters, live on Charitybuzz through November 10, 2022.

See event highlights:

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