The mission
The Black Interior Designers Network’s mission is to promote diversity and inclusion within the interior design industry by highlighting designers of color and supporting black designers with business development opportunities.
Designer: T. London
Designer: B. Jane
We are the pioneering nonprofit organization providing resources and business opportunities that allow black designers to flourish in the interior design industry.
Our focus is on creating a rich network and resource for members, clients, suppliers, manufacturers, and the industry at large that showcase the breadth of black interior designers’ creativity, influence, and professional contributions.
Our Values
Professionalism
We uphold the highest standards of excellence in our support of capable African American Interior Designers, executing home interior design projects ranging in size, style, and scope.
Access and Opportunity
We promote the contributions of an extensive mix of black designers, architects, and artisans with diverse experience, education, training, and exposure, as we leverage our relationships with stakeholders throughout the industry to create opportunities to showcase great design, contribute new ideas and approaches, and build mutually beneficial relationships.
Presence
We uphold the highest standards of excellence in our support of capable African American Interior Designers, executing home interior design projects ranging in size, style, and scope.
Community
We uphold the highest standards of excellence in our support of capable African American Interior Designers, executing home interior design projects ranging in size, style, and scope.
What We Do
Showcase African American home and lifestyles through partnerships with media outlets, books, magazines, blogs, and network television appearances.
Partner with brands excited about working with our network of black designers to ensure competitive pricing and business expansion opportunities.
Celebrate the unique contribution designers of color bring to the table of the interior design industry.
Provide business development training to designers through our national and regional events and virtual platforms.
Offer the combined wisdom of the designers on the African American Top 20 List to educate and encourage the next generation of black interior design professionals.
Kimberly Elaine Ward
(1974–2017)
Kimberly Ward started her design career in 2002 working for members of the newly formed Houston Texan franchise. In 2004, she became the home and lifestyle contributor for Gospel Today magazine. During her four-year tenure, Kimberly wrote monthly interior design columns for the lifestyle publication.
In 2008, Kimberly left Gospel Today and became the Editor-in-Chief of the interior design blog, “Pink Eggshell”. It was Kimberly’s first attempt at sharing design information in the fast-paced digital space. In 2011, after winning awards for her blog, Kimberly started attending blogging and interior design events. It dawned on her that she was frequently being asked the same question, “Where are all the Black designers?” Kimberly decided to publish a list of the Top 20 African American Interior Designers with the hopes of creating a resource for those seeking to work with or hire Black interior designers.
The Black Interior Designers Network stemmed from the need to serve not only the Black interior design community, but the Black community as a whole. Kimberly provided the blueprint that is the cornerstone for Black interior designers worldwide. Her life will always be a luminance in the hearts and memories of all whose paths she crossed.
Nekeia (“Keia”) McSwain
Keia McSwain, one of America’s premier custom luxury residential designers, is known for the unique interiors she creates for high-end clients around the country.
She has won national acclaim for her award-winning designs, and for her role as president of the Black Interior Designers Network, the nation’s largest and longest-established organization for designers of color.
Keia provides a complete range of design services for luxury homeowners from coast to coast, but she specializes in designing the primary and vacation residences of clients in Denver and the Front Range. Her work has appeared in such publications as Architectural Digest, the Wall Street Journal, and House Beautiful and Forbes magazines.
Our Sponsors
