UCLA AUD Winter 2025 Events: Kevin Sherrod (MArch II '17)

March 3, 2025, 5:30 pm, Perloff Hall Decafe

Kevin Sherrod (MArch II '17) has design experience in projects across the U.S. and internationally. His work centers on building community resilience and advancing design justice primarily with communities of color. As a Practice Area Leader for Arts & Culture at Gensler Los Angeles’ office, Sherrod has worked on transformative projects including Tide's Loads of Hope, a project to create the first permanent Loads of Hope laundry room for people experiencing homelessness; Compton College student housing, one of the first solutions for campus housing at a community college in Southern California; and the award-winning Debbie Allen Dance Academy, to name a few.

Sherrod also served as a core member of the research leadership team with the Now Institute and Morphosis, working directly under the guidance of Thom Mayne on the 100 Buildings book. Most recently Sherrod served as the lead designer for Gallery 90220, a first-of-its-kind art gallery for Black and Brown creatives in South Los Angeles. Through these efforts, Sheerod has been recognized as a Culture Champion on the inaugural Forbes Culture Champion "50 Champions" List.

Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Sherrod’s design sensibility and teaching philosophy are rooted in his lived experiences growing up in an urban center and 20 plus years of experience serving in grassroots organizations. These experiences drove Kevin’s commitment to supporting the next generation of designers through mentorship and teaching. He previously worked as an urban strategies lecturer for UCLA AUD's MArch II Program.

Sherrod’s award background includes: AIA-LA Best of Design, Unbuilt/Residential Category, for his work with Skid Row Housing Ambrosia; Progressive Architecture P/A Awards for his contributions on Urban Awnings; and an honor award from WestSide Urban Forum Design Awards, for work on West Edge. Sherrod’s works have been featured in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Archinect, ArchDaily, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Forbes.