Maya

When I started architecture school, I quickly realized that I would often be the only person who looked like me in my classes. Once I started working at architecture firms, I rarely saw myself represented. I decided to go to grad school to explore the lack of diversity in the design fields and inequity in the built environment. I wanted to find a way to address the issues I was seeing all around me.

While working full-time and finishing my Master of Architecture, I founded Mobile Makers, an award-winning nonprofit organization that makes design education more accessible to underrepresented groups and encourages young people to become change-makers in their communities.

Seven years later, we've engaged with thousands of young people, converted a retired USPS van into a mobile design studio, and opened our first permanent location. Our brick-and-mortar allows us to expand our impact and offer a safe community space for young people to build design skills year-round. Opening this space was a dream of mine, and we need support to keep it running so we can continue providing an educational and inspirational space for youth living in Chicago's most disinvested communities.