Providing LGBTQ+ designers of color with free and accessible education, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
About QTBIPOC Design
Vision
We strive to instill confidence in our community by empowering the next generation of QTBIPOC (queer, trans, Black, Indigenous, and people of color) with the knowledge and tools to excel within the design industry.
Mission
By educating and empowering marginalized communities through our workshops and masterclasses, we hope to make design teams more equitable by infusing the design industry with more diverse perspectives.
Core Principle
We make inclusivity and equity a practice rather than just a principle. We ground our everyday practices in creating a safe space for every race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, background, and disability.
Values
Trust
We value transparency and truthfulness, even when it’s difficult.
Honesty
We conduct our work with integrity and accountability.
Compassion
We empathize, listen, and provide space for our community.
Openness
We accept that there are many ways to reach the same goal.
Creativity
We encourage experimenting and collaborating in order to bridge communication.
Team
Steven Wakabayashi
He/him
Founder
After years of leading design and UX with many notable brands and agencies, Steven always noticed the lack of diversity within the creative teams. And in hiring, there was always a severe deficit of diverse talent. QTBIPOC Design was founded to provide education and community for those less represented within our design industry.
Mahogany Breaux
She/her
Operations Director
Mahogany is a UX Designer who is proud to represent her different cultures and offer a diverse perspective towards design. While participating in QTBIPOC Design, she hopes to become a voice for underrepresented groups and help deliver social impact to people in her communities.
Liz Brown
She/her
Education Director
Liz is a UX Researcher and Human-Centered Designer. Passionate about treating all humans with respect, dignity, and love. She believes in communities that empower and support underrepresented people.
Kenny Cheng
He/him
Community Director
Kenny is a UX/UI Designer passionate about advocating for diverse and historically underrepresented communities through design and social justice. He is excited to be a part of the QTBIPOC Design community and to be able to support other LGBTQ+ designers of color!
Clarissa Diaz
She/her
Research Director
Clarissa is an analyst and professional tinkerer. She is passionate about creating educational opportunities for marginalized communities.
Stefan Kovalik
He/him
Technology Director
Stefan is a UX designer and creative consultant with ten years of work experience, specializing in the conception, design, development, analysis, and improvement of user’s experiences.
Jaimie Lake
She/her
Creative Brand Director
Jaimie earned her BFA from the Communication Arts Department (2011) of Savannah College of Art & Design. With illustration and graphics design as Jaimie’s educational background, her recent endeavors include curating digital atmospheres by leaning on strategic brand identity.
Ivan Lam
He/him
Experience Director
Ivan is a UX designer committed to inspiring and enabling everyone to fulfill their potential and live their best life.
Wren Lee
They/them
Committee Member
Wren is a designer, storyteller, and activist using design to impact social change. They’re passionate about creating intersectional and inclusive spaces such as QTBIPOC Design to empower folxs in marginalized communities.
Shan Naziripour
He/him
Social Director
Shan is an engineer, artist, and funny person. He believes people need safe spaces and QTBIPOC Design gives that very important space for growth and learning.
Interested in joining our team? Contact us at [email protected].
