Published on February 27th, 2025 | by Crystal Willis

Kevin Sherrod is Championing Women and Culture Through Architecture & Innovation

As Women’s History Month celebrates the achievements of trailblazing women across industries, Kevin Sherrod is a global expert making sure that architecture and design are no exception. A national thought leader and cultural strategist, Sherrod is a driving force behind projects that amplify Black and Brown creatives, particularly women in architecture, and underrepresented communities in STEAM.

On March 3, 2025, he will lead a powerful conversation at UCLA’s Perloff Hall Decafé titled Cognitive Dissonance, examining how Black, Women-led projects are shaping the future of architecture. As the Practice Area Leader for Arts & Culture at Gensler Los Angeles, Sherrod has worked on transformative projects that prioritize representation, accessibility, and cultural storytelling.

“The future of architecture is being shaped by women and people of color who bring a deeper sense of purpose to design,” Sherrod shared with The Hype Magazine. “These are the voices reimagining how our spaces reflect history, culture, and community.”

His work at Gensler includes the award-winning Debbie Allen Dance Academy, which provides a world-class space for young Black dancers and artists, and Compton College student housing, offering affordable, first-of-its-kind campus housing solutions for community college students in Southern California. He also led the design for Gallery 90220, South LA’s first Black- and Brown-owned contemporary art gallery.

Sherrod’s impact goes beyond traditional architecture, as seen in his recent collaboration with The We The People Museum, the first virtual BIPOC drone & history museum. Set against the backdrop of Market Street in San Diego, the museum integrates cutting-edge technology with cultural preservation, showcasing global stories from Accra to Portugal. A key initiative of this project is The DRONe Project, a STEAM-focused program that trains BIPOC girls and young adults in drone piloting and digital content creation.

“We’re not just preserving history—we’re empowering young women, especially those from marginalized communities, to become the future of technology and design,” Sherrod explains.

Beyond his architectural achievements, Sherrod is also a USC lecturer, a mentor, and a Forbes Culture Champion, using his platform to uplift the next generation of designers, innovators, and cultural leaders.

His UCLA lecture isn’t just a discussion—it’s a national call to action to ensure that architecture and technology continue to be inclusive, empowering, and community-driven. If you’re in Los Angeles, be sure to check it out!

UCLA ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN DESIGN: COGNITIVE DISSONANCE

Date: March 3, 2025

Time: 5:30 PM PST

Location: Perloff Hall Decafé, UCLA, 1317 Portola Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095

Learn more about Kevin Sherrod at: www.kevinsherrod.com

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About the Author

Crystal Willis Crystal Willis is an Entrepreneur, Author, Speaker, Entertainment Publicist and CEO of The Omni Firm. She is also a Transformational Life Coach and Founder of The Crysalis. Her personal story has been seen by millions of people on media outlets like Marie Claire Magazine, PBS, Blaze TV, Daily Signal and more.