June 25, 2026

In celebration of Pride Month, and as part of our ongoing studio-wide learning initiatives, Diamond Schmitt was proud to partner again with Framework Leadership to host a presentation in the Pride Talk Speaker Series – an initiative dedicated to promoting 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion across the architecture, engineering, and design sectors.

This year’s session, “Challenging ‘Reference Man’ and Advocating for Queer-Inclusive Cities,” featured guest speaker, Architectural Activist Nyasha Harper-Michon (she/her).

Nyasha’s talk explored how architectural activism can challenge conventional design and industry norms, and how built environment professionals can help advocate for queer-inclusive, sustainable cities. The presentation examined the influence of “Reference Man” in our built environment, the importance of intersectionality and lived experience, and how empathy-driven design processes can help create more resilient and inclusive places where everyone can thrive. Her presentation leveraged global architectural case studies and diverse queer narratives to illustrate how these inclusive frameworks operate in practice around the world.

At Diamond Schmitt, we believe inclusive design empowers organizations, communities, and people to drive meaningful change for the greater good. As part of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) across our studios, design work, and partnerships, we embrace diverse perspectives and inspire new and better ways of living for our clients and the communities they serve.

Read more about Diamond Schmitt’s DEI approach.