In this episode, Melisa shares her path to becoming an architect in St. Louis, Missouri and the importance of involving community voices in the design process. Melisa talks about her career trajectory, from her experiences in various firms to founding her own practice, BlackArc, which centers on community-driven design. She shares insights from her involvement in panels and fellowships, emphasizing her design philosophy's global inspirations. Melissa also reveals her teaching methods at Washington University in St. Louis which focuses on collaborative and contextual learning.

Melisa Sanders, RA, NOMA, SEED, is the founding Principal of BlackArc, a design collaborative advancing racial, economic, and social equity through community-centered design. A licensed architect, urban designer, educator, and advocate, she focuses on sustainable, equitable solutions for disinvested and BIPOC communities.

With over a decade of experience, Melisa’s work integrates architecture, urban design, and social justice, exploring design justice, trauma-informed design, and architecture as a tool for resistance. She mentors students in inclusive design practices at Washington University in St. Louis.

She has held leadership roles with STLNOMA, DeSales Community Development, and Design As Protest, advocating for anti-racist design. Named a Fellow of the Association for Community Design, she also serves as Director of Community Engagement for Counterpublic and was appointed by St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones to the Prop NS Stabilization Advisory Committee.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackarc.design/