ANTI-RACIST STATEMENT
In recent years I've been deeply distressed by the widening income-wealth gap, significant displacement of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) families, and the homelessness epidemic disproportionately affecting BIPOC in the Bay Area. While growing up in Oakland in the 80s, black residents comprised nearly half the city's population. That figure will drop to roughly 16% in the next decade! Black artists are some of the hardest hit by this crisis. As a designer working with Bay Area homeowners and companies, I am in a position to profit from an influx of development and wealth in my community which is often inextricable from the losses of those most vulnerable in my community. As a white designer, I've had to ask myself my role in the fight for racial justice. How do I invoke my privilege as a successful Interior Designer/Business Owner to dismantle systemic racism and white supremacy in my everyday work?
ANTI-RACIST COMMITMENT
At Kate Hanzo Interiors, we are dedicated to bolstering investment in communities of color through local sourcing from BIPOC-owned businesses, makers, and artists. We are developing a paid apprenticeship and training program for Oakland BIPOC high schoolers to increase pathways into this overwhelmingly white industry. We aim to improve access to interior design services through yearly pro-bono projects.
01
BIPOC SOURCING*
*BIPOC means Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
We have developed a collaborative BIPOC Sourcing Directory shared amongst local Bay Area Designers to grow our collective access to and investment in BIPOC businesses, artists, makers, craftspeople, and trades locally and nationally.
Interior Designers interested in joining our collaborative BIPOC Sourcing Directory, please REGISTER HERE.
BIPOC artisans, furniture makers, shop owners, and tradespeople interested in being added to the Sourcing Directory, please REGISTER HERE.
Anyone is welcome to our BIPOC Sourcing Directory. If you would like to receive a current copy, please REGISTER HERE.
Drawing from our growing directory of collaborators, Kate Hanzo Interiors commits to a minimum of 30% BIPOC sourcing on all our projects.
02
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
We are developing a six-month paid apprenticeship program for local BIPOC high schoolers.
The apprentice will gain hands-on experience and training/coaching as a project leader on a six-month pro-bono project from concept to completion, including final installation, styling, and photography for their first portfolio project!
The apprenticeship program will launch in 2024.
03
PRO BONO PROJECTS
We are taking on 2 Pro-bono projects per year as part of the Apprenticeship Program. Our ideal pro-bono projects would be in partnership with the Oakland Community Land Trust creating opportunities for low-income residents to buy their first homes, local shelters, and Community-based organizations needing office refreshes.
04
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We want to acknowledge that we live and work on ancestral lands stolen from the Lisjan Ohlone people who, despite many atrocities, are committed to the community and transforming the legacies of colonization, genocide and patriarchy. In solidarity with the Ohlone people, we pay our Shuumi Land Tax, an annual contribution to support the critical land rematriation work of the Sogorea Te' Land Trust. This urban Indigenous women-led trust facilitates the return of Indigenous land to Indigenous people.