Historically, architects, urban planners, and designers have seen themselves as experts in the design of the built environment, often refusing to engage community members throughout their design processes. We believe that design thinking creates a unique positionality to elevate communities and center their voices within built works. Dana McKinney White and Megan Echols will speak to their latest installation, Black – Still, to express an alternative approach, in which stakeholder engagement and a collaborative design process served as the impetus to community healing. Further, ongoing activation and programming of projects elevates the connections between built work and community. In an effort to promote social advancement beyond equity and inclusion, rehabilitative engagement can serve as the ultimate form of justice.
This program is coordinated through the Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning (VPAL) and will be livestreamed to the alumni community in collaboration with the Harvard Alumni Association.