As a part of SCADpro, the Innovation Studio at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta, I had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with the inspiring Valerie Hill Rawls, MAPT. Her nonprofit, the EcoWomanist Institute South East (@ewise.org), sought to expand visual identity for BRAID—Black Restorative Agriculture Incubation & Development, developed and masterfully designed by first team here at SCAD, and to amplify its mission of empowering Black female farmers in the southeastern U.S.

Team 1: Pankhuri H Joshi, Surabhi Khare, Maura Chandler, @wisdomwarner, Hanna Blinouskaya, Dijia Chen, and Dr. Ananya Singh (Ph.D)

Over a span of 10 weeks, the first student team dived deep into research, engaging with local farmers, policy leaders, and even drawing connections to global agricultural practices. They visited farmers markets and connected with the community to understand the challenges and opportunities firsthand. Inspired by the ancestral tradition of Black women preserving seeds and knowledge within their braids, BRAID emerged as a powerful initiative dedicated to addressing land loss and systemic barriers.

Team 2: April Lu, Demi Gomez, Aimar Diaz Tatá, Muskan Dharani, Annel Sosa, @christinekei, Naydia Allianze, and Yana Agapova.

The next phase was all about storytelling and outreach. In the following 10 weeks, our team of students crafted strategic marketing campaigns and launched the "Grow in the Know" campaign, including a podcast series designed as a platform for sharing knowledge and experiences. What started as a vision turned into a movement fueled by creativity, purpose, and social impact.

Every student involved not only grew professionally but also personally, taking on diverse roles and leaving their mark on this impactful project. Thank you to Valerie Hill Rawls, MAPT, for the opportunity and to the SCADpro and SCADAmp team’s support throughout the journey. This collaboration is a testament to the power of teamwork and its impact on students and industry partners. A huge thank you to our teams and classmates who brought passion to life through this work. I’m grateful to have been part of this transformative journey and excited to see how BRAID continues to grow and inspire.