Join us for a special program honoring the legacy and lasting impact of David Rice, featuring a keynote reflection by Shauna Stallworth on Rice’s influence on the design industries. Following the keynote, Angela Slate will share a look at the work of the Fashion Foundation of Detroit and its role in supporting Detroit’s fashion community. The program will also feature reflections from several additional speakers, joining virtually or in person, who will share brief personal perspectives on David Rice and his impact. Featured speakers will include Dré Clemons of Detroit and others to be announced.
David Rice (1947–2026) was an industrial designer, educator, and advocate who founded and chaired the Organization of Black Designers. A graduate and Distinguished Alumnus of the College for Creative Studies, he also completed the Entrepreneur Development Program at Harvard University. Rice served on the Michigan Council for the Arts and as a three-time member of the National Endowment for the Arts Design-Arts Panel. Through the Organization of Black Designers, he championed mentorship and worked to increase diversity and opportunity across the design professions.
Shauna Stallworth, IIDA, is a licensed interior designer, entrepreneur, and managing principal of LUHF Branded Environments, a certified Women-Owned Small Business specializing in interior design, furniture strategy, and project management. A graduate of Howard University, Stallworth has built a career centered on creating spaces—and a profession—that are more inclusive and representative. A recognized leader in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, she is a passionate advocate for expanding opportunity and ensuring diverse voices have a seat at the table across the design industry.
Angela Slate, M.B.A., is a Detroit native, Cass Technical High School alumna, and fashion designer whose career has spanned design, entrepreneurship, and education. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, she has designed for brands including Sergio Valente, London Fog, Members Only, and Perry Ellis, with collections sold nationwide. Her designs have appeared on television series including Martin, Living Single, and New York Undercover, and have been featured in Essence, WWD, The New York Times, Black Enterprise, and Ebony.