Racism Untaught // Lisa Elzey Mercer // Terresa Moses // Cheryl Miller

CAA Conversations

In this episode of CAA Conversations, the authors of Racism Untaught: Revealing and Unlearning Racialized Design–and hosts of the book’s companion podcast—Lisa Elzey Mercer and Terresa Moses, speak with renowned designer Dr. Cheryl D. Miller. Antiracist design interventions can be difficult. Well-intentioned conversations can fuel tensions, activate racialized trauma, and lead to misunderstandings, especially in spaces not typically focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Even when progress is made, white supremacist culture can resurface. Antiracist guidelines and approaches that lay bare racialized systems of oppression and fundamentally disrupt their replication are critical. This episode of CAA Conversations makes space for a frank discussion around design equity. In addition to being an advocate for Black graphic designers, Cheryl D. Miller is also a theologian and author. She is a Cooper Hewitt National Design Awardee and AIGA Medalist and has been inducted into the One Club Hall of Fame. Lisa Elzey Mercer (she/her) is a designer, educator, and researcher, and Associate Professor of Graphic Design and Design for Responsible Innovation at the University of Illinois. Terresa Moses (she/her) is Assistant Professor of Graphic Design, and the Director of Design Justice at the University of Minnesota, and a PhD candidate in Social Justice Education at the University of Toronto.