Project Intake

The Women+ of Color Equity Design Institute (WCEDI) embeds designing for equity into the core of the Columbus community’s economic development efforts by centering and engaging the expertise, perspectives and lived experiences of women of color are leveraged to develop and implement innovative and equitable solutions within the community.

Design.
By women of color,
for women of color.

We use Equity-Centered Community Design as a process to educate and certify women of color as co-designers and experts in their lived experiences and empower them to develop creative solutions to complex problems within the system they navigate. Through the institute, WOC+ co-designers work with corporations, non-profits, and public sector partners who are launching, re-launching, or re-imagining programs and policies that will impact diverse populations.

Our Services

Design Sprints

We plan and facilitate highly collaborative design sessions that engage diverse voices to ensure outcomes that are both innovative and inclusive.

Training

Providing foundational knowledge and practical skills for implementing equity-driven practices, we equip teams to create environments where all voices, especially those of women+ of color from various backgrounds, are valued.

Design Toolkit

We curate a set of tools and frameworks for developing user-centered, equity-focused solutions and empower teams to embed inclusivity and empathy into every stage of their design process.

Customized Research

Through tailored research services that delve into the unique experiences and needs of women across socioeconomic spectrums, our approach uncovers actionable insights to inform and guide equity-centered solutions.

Client Projects

Healing-Centered Teen Space

What if we could create a healing-centered teen space in Columbus for young people experiencing houselessness and housing insecurity?

Testimonials

“What I valued the most about WCEDI’s pilot was defining how design is a part of who we are as women+ of color and how it impacts our daily lives. Feeling empowered to be a part of the cohort designing future spaces and doing this work. Feeling that my voice, opinion, and experiences were valued.”

- WCEDI Co-Designer

“[The Design Sprint] was a safe space to address our opinions and concerns about what we do NOT want the research experience to feel like as much as defining what it should be like.”

- WCEDI Co-Designer

“I really enjoyed the mindsets discussion. Those are things that come up for me in so many spaces and different ways, that it was so helpful to think about how they impact my work.”

- Organizational Client

Offered Packages

We offer a variety of services that are tailored to best solve your problem and serve your target market.

Tier 1 - $5,000

Most appropriate for small nonprofits or start-up businesses looking to introduce DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and equity design principles into their practices. These organizations may have limited resources and seek affordable, foundational guidance to start making equity-driven changes. They value access to professional training and a research-based toolkit to jumpstart their journey.

Package Includes:

Organization Equity Design Training - up to 10 people (1 - day)
Basic Project Research
Access to proprietary WCEDI Toolkit
Experienced WCEDI Facilitator (1- day)

Outcomes: Organizational Training + Toolkit Access + Personalized Research Report

Tier 2 - $15,000

Most appropriate for midsize organizations aiming to integrate DEI and equity design thinking into their projects and workplace culture. They want hands-on guidance from experienced facilitators and co-designers to begin reshaping one key project area with a realistic timeline. They are ready to invest in meaningful steps towards equity transformation with some funding available.

Package Includes:

Organization Equity Design Training - up to 10 people (1-day)
Initial Client meeting to define the scope of work
Basic Project Research
Access to proprietary WCEDI Toolkit
Experienced WCEDI Facilitator
2-day Design Sprint
A set of co-designers (approximately 2)

Outcomes: Organizational Training + Toolkit Access + Personalized Report with research, 1 - project suggestion, and 1 - suggested timeline

Tier 3 - $25,000

Most appropriate for large established companies, government organizations, or educational institutions committed to building comprehensive DEI and equity design initiatives that impact multiple departments. With a larger budget, they prioritize extensive research, benefit from a longer design sprint, and produce several project ideas to implement. This organization seeks a strategic partnership to develop a sustainable and long-term equity framework.

Package Includes:

Organization Equity Design Training - up to 10 people (1-day)
Initial Client meeting to define the scope of work
Expert Project Research
Access to proprietary WCEDI Toolkit
Experienced WCEDI Facilitator
4-day Design Sprint (over 2 weekends)
A team of co-designers (approximately 5)

Outcomes: Organizational Training + Toolkit Access + Personalized Report with research, 3 - project implementation suggestions, and 3 - suggested timelines

Additional Offerings

Returning Client Consulting: $350/hr
Monthly facilitator project consultation session for 6 months
Approximately five hours per work per week

Additional Coaching/Training Sessions: $3,000
Organization Equity Design Training - up to 10 people (1 - day)
Experienced WCEDI Facilitator (1- day)

Let's Design Together.

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