Black Artists + Designers Guild Reflect on Five Years at BADG of HONOR

“Founding BADG in 2018 was the culmination of a years-long journey toward discovering what it means to be a Black artist and exploring how identity and heritage connect to my art and design,” shared Black Artists + Designers Guild Founder Malene Barnett. “Today, BADG is a global mission-focused non-profit and a space where Black artists and designers can thrive, connect, and collaborate with creative freedom. During BADG of HONOR, guests were invited to experience their collective impact, celebrate Black imagination and creative leadership, and directly support their educational initiatives, which includes our forthcoming Legacy Makers Grant.”

The evening commenced with a ceremony to honor six visionaries whose work aligned with their mission to honor ancestral legacies in art and design, take ownership of their narrative, and create spaces to celebrate Black creativity and culture. The awards were created by BADG Founding Member and 2022 BADG Maker Award recipient Jomo Tariku. This year’s recipients included:

Collective Circle Award: Black Reconstruction Collective

Education Award: Sarah Elizabeth Lewis, Art and Cultural Historian, Associate Professor of the Humanities and Associate Professor of African and African American Studies at Harvard University, and the Founder of Vision & Justice

Legacy Award: Michelle Joan Wilkinson, Ph.D., Curator of Architecture and Design at the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC)

BADG Founder Award: Leyden Lewis of Leyden Lewis Design Studio, Founding BADG member, adjunct professor Parsons School of Design at The New School, the New York School of Interior Design

BADG Maker Award: Cheryl R. Riley, multi-media artist, furniture designer, and art advisor to private collections, Founding BADG member

BADG Fam Award: Sabine Rothman, Founder of Interiors Academy, was awarded the BADG Fam award for her commitment to serving Black Artists + Designers Guild, as a recognition from BADG for ongoing years of allyship and support

The evening brought together creatives, industry leaders, luminaries, and notable guest speakers, including Hadley Keller, Director of Editorial and Community Engagement,  Design Leadership Network, and Jennie Wilde, sculptor, Advisory Board BADG, with performances by Broadway percussionist Junior “Gabu” Wedderburn, DJ Point Blank, and culinary artistry by Brooklyn Braised and Caken It. Legacy Patron guest received 5th Anniversary gifts with handmade ceramics by Dana Baugh

This year, BADG of HONOR was supported by Gold Creator Sponsors: Holly Hunt. Silver Collaborator Sponsors: Benjamin Moore, Chairish Inc., HBF | HBF Textiles, NYDC, & Stark Carpet. Event Partner: Interiors Academy and Intercontinental Times Square.