DEZHA SHARAI MCKOY-OVERTON
LRK
SAY IT LOUD - Tennessee Exhibitor
Tennessee Based Designer
Who or what inspires you professionally?
My love for people and my passion to serve inspires me. I think there is something powerful about drawing out the beauty in people and spaces where beauty is hard to find.
DEZHA SHARAI MCKOY-OVERTON
Bio:
Dezha is dedicated to the social impact of architectural design and fervent in making visible how the world affects us through space. She has a passion for revitalizing cities and developing underserved communities using design as a tool to create meaningful spaces. She believes that there is a sense of vulnerability in communities that should be brought into spaces and seeks to integrate their culture and history into everyday design.
How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
As I passed by the neglected homes plaguing my neighborhood at a young age, I did not see an eyesore, I saw an opportunity. I envisioned the restoration that would not only breathe life back into a community, but also shape new experiences.
What do you do?
I am a designer, but most importantly, I serve. I seek to get involved in communities, to love them, and understand their needs. I aim to rediscover empathy in design and consider how the built environment can stimulate experiences and emotions.
What excites you in the work you do?
Architecture is not only a representation of our lived experiences in the world, but it has the power to shape our perception of the world. I love the social impact of architecture and how it can be a tool to serve and restore a community.
Who or what inspires you professionally?
My love for people and my passion to serve inspires me. I think there is something powerful about drawing out the beauty in people and spaces where beauty is hard to find.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
After graduating from Kansas State University with a MArch, working for my current firm has been my greatest achievement. It has shown me both how far I have come and has sparked an ambition for where I would like to go.
Featured Project Name:
American Dream, African American Nightmare
Featured Project Location:
Manhattan, KS
Featured Project Completion Date:
2021
Role in Featured Project:
Sculptor/Designer
Featured Project Description:
The installation features three sculptures that represent three eras of oppression that Black people have been plagued with for decades: slavery, segregation and police brutality. These sculptures reveal both the type of oppression and the identity that manifested itself through it. From the weathered steel material that represents its longevity, to the shackled chain that connects all three pieces this demonstrates that the oppression has never stopped, it has only morphed over the years.
