Aesthetics, Equity and Craig L Wilkins, PhD

In this episode, we delve into Dr. Craig L. Wilkins', RA journey as a writer, focusing on his book, "The Aesthetics of Equity," which sheds light on the challenges faced by Black professionals. Dr. Wilkins candidly shares the hurdles he faced in getting his book published, revealing the perseverance required amidst rejections. Joined by journalist Kelly Beamon, the conversation explores the dynamics of journalism in architecture, highlighting barriers to visibility for Black architects and advocating for media to move beyond tokenism towards genuine recognition of their contributions.

A 2020 Bradford Grant Medal in Landscape Architecture awardee, 2017 Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum National Design Award recipient, architect, artist, academic, and activist, Dr. Craig L. Wilkins’ creative practice specializes in engaging communities in collaborative and participatory design processes. The former director of the Detroit Community Design Center, he is currently creative director of the Wilkins project, a social justice, strategic design alliance that provides architectural, urban design and planning services, public interest design solutions, and expertise in engaged public discourse. A frequently published critic and scholar of the public realm, Dr. Wilkins is also the author of multi-award winning “The Aesthetics of Equity: Notes on Race, Space, Architecture & Music” (University of Minnesota 2007) and “Diversity Among Architects: From Margin to Center” (Routledge 2016). He is currently an associate professor at the University of Michigan College of Architecture and Urban Planning, where he teaches courses on design and social justice.

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