JennAir provides renewable scholarship for Black, Indigenous and racialized students in Interior Design

On November 1, 2022, JennAir announced the JennAir Scholars Award at the School of Interior Design at The Creative School as part of their Disrupting Design program, which aims to create access and opportunities for racialized designers in the industry.

The JennAir Scholars awards, with a total value of $375,000, are awarded to Black, Indigenous and racialized Interior Design students at The Creative School who demonstrate financial need, with the aim of increasing racial representation within the program and industry at large. 

“Reducing the barriers to education is a significant first step toward increasing the representation of racialized students,” says Charles Falzon, Dean of The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University. “The JennAir Scholars Award will create opportunities for students to enter the School of Interior Design and progress through the industry.”

Bringing students, faculty and industry together

To launch the Disrupting Design program, JennAir hosted an event that began with opening remarks from Gary Power, Vice President and General Manager, Whirlpool Canada, followed by Dean Charles Falzon expressing his gratitude to JennAir and the impact that the scholarship will have on the student recipients. Interior Design Chair Colin Ripley then congratulated and announced the award recipients to the public for the first time. 

Following the opening remarks was a panel discussion hosted by TV personality Tracy Moore. The panel of renowned design experts, including Ian Rolston, Brian K. Porter and Natalie Ramtahal, Manager of Administration and Equity at Interior Design at The Creative School, discussed the gaps in the design space and what the industry can do to further drive progress together.

Following the panel, Jim Ritchie, President of Tridel, announced it is the first industry partner for the JennAir Disrupting Design Program. Partnerships like this will provide impactful opportunities for Interior Design students looking to enter the design fields. 

The event brought together industry professionals for a thoughtful conversation, exploring what disruption means, what it looks like, and discussed tangible steps that educators, organizations and associations in the design sector can take to become more equitable and inclusive. 

Natalie Ramtahal, the Manager of Administration and Equity in the School of Interior Design, spoke on the significance of the JennAir scholarship and the difference it makes for students pursuing their education.

“Disrupting Design addresses the financial barriers experienced by racialized and immigrant students head-on by providing a scholarship that can be put toward covering the costs associated with studying at a university,” she said. “Additionally, the sponsorship component of the program provides a network of support for racialized students as they embark on their educational journeys and post-education opportunities.” 

Reflections of student recipients

For racialized design graduates of The Creative School, JennAir hopes to develop a sponsorship program matching graduates with successful working interior designers to ensure continued mentorship beyond the classroom. In addition to its work with The Creative School, JennAir will partner with racialized designers each year for kitchen renovations, which will be featured on the JennAir website and social channels.  

This allows the recipients a unique edge and immersive experience into the interior design industry. This year, the recipients of the JennAir Scholars Award are Interior Design students Nader Al-Fahad, Quianna Woolner, Jihyuk Kim and Michelle Xu. 

“I’m incredibly grateful and honoured to be one of the people representing the BIPOC students in the Interior Design program,” she says. “Receiving the JennAir Award has made me appreciative of The Creative School for recognizing the diversity of our student population, and providing myself and others with more opportunities for success in our field.” 

Kim shares a similar sentiment, noting that the award provides a strong sense of motivation to pursue his studies in the field. 

“Receiving the JennAir Award is truly meaningful for me. It motivates me to pursue my education and look for ways to contribute to the design community,” he says. It also makes me happy that there is strong support for design students from minority backgrounds.” 

For Woolner and Al-Fahad, the scholarship enables them to be able to turn their creative goals into reality. 

“Receiving this award means a lot to me. Allowing me not to worry about paying for my education and can focus my attention on my studies, which is my passion,” says Woolner. “This award also gives me the encouragement to believe in myself and go after my goals and ambitions.”

Similarly, Al-Fahad looks forward to making a difference in the industry and society at large.

''This award will certainly enable me to achieve my goals, contribute through my creativity, and make a difference for myself and this diverse community we live in,” he says. 

Learn more about the Disrupting Design program and the JennAir Scholars Award by visiting www.jennair.ca/disrupting-design (external link, opens in new window) .

The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University 

The Creative School is a dynamic faculty at Toronto Metropolitan University making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Comprised of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.