“The time for asking for permission is dead, we are here and we will be here for our community and for our people.” Keia McSwain, President BIDN

“Where are all the Black designers?” This was a question interior design blogger Kimberly Ward kept hearing; so in response, she formed The Black Interior Designers Network (BIDN) as a resource to shine the light on and support Black interior designers.

After Kimberly’s untimely passing in 2017, Keia McSwain took over the reins and set about taking Kimberly’s vision to the next level. She wanted to ensure the organization would continue to thrive and develop for many years to come. Under Keia’s leadership, the BIDN has evolved into a network whose goal is to provide their community with everything they need to excel in the industry.

The support offered has been far-reaching: from educating their members on navigating the industry as Black designers, to having more experienced designers provide mentorship to the next generation, to leveraging the strength of its combined members to bolster their negotiating power in purchasing, and so much more.

by Tapiwa Matsinde

The full article is available in the 6th issue of MOYI.