Sappi North America Awards 2023 Ideas that Matter Grants

Presbyterian Senior Services

‘With Me: Games That Spark Connection’

‘With Me: Games That Spark Connection’ is a set of three games that use design as a tool of inclusion to help generations connect with one another. ‘Talk With Me, Recall With Me’ and ‘Create With Me’ will each promote interaction and meaningful dialogue, as well as encourage individuals in different stages of the human experience to slow down, spend time together and get to know one another. Through the exchange of wisdom and experiences, ‘With Me’ will bridge the gap between generations while exposing our shared humanity and better integrating older adults into the fabric of society.

Folded Map Project

‘Disrupting Segregation by Teaching Folded Map’

What began as a photo project by Chicago-based social justice artist Tonika Johnson, the Folded Map™ project aims to encourage reflection about what urban segregation looks like and how it impacts Chicago residents. Sparked by inquiries from teachers, graphic design artist Janell Nelson and sociology professor Dr. Maria Krysan collaborated to realize creatively engaging assets for educators. Now, a Student and Teacher Guide, posters, and companion website will support robust academic explorations encouraging us all to think about communities, race, and inequality.

Page Jackson Alumni Association Inc.

Page Jackson High School Tribute Exhibit Book: ‘Black Education in Jefferson County, West Virginia’

Page Jackson High School (PJHS) plays a significant role in Black history within Jefferson County. The PJHS Tribute Exhibit is a room originally dedicated in 1986 by the NAACP that honors the accomplishments and activities of the staff, teachers, and students of PJHS. With the renovation of the Tribute Exhibit, companion materials and the exhibit book—based on “A History of Black Education in Jefferson County, West Virginia: 1865-1966,” compiled by James L. Taylor (PJHS alumnus and WVU Hall of Fame, deceased 2021) and produced in 2003, will prompt viewers to engage with the history and think about their role in reducing inequalities, offering access to quality education and ending prejudice and discrimination.

Proud Stutter

‘Out Loud: Promoting Acceptance of Verbal Diversity’

People who stutter often feel marginalized and stigmatized because of harmful stereotypes that exist in popular culture. Through a series of outreach and education materials including posters, social media posts, animated videos, printed comic books and in-person readings at Stuttering Community Gatherings and Spoken Word Nights, this project will help promote acceptance of people who stutter in order to create safe spaces for them in as many corners of society as possible.

MASS Design Group | Restorative Justice Design Lab

‘Restoring Promise Toolkit’

‘The Restoring Promise Toolkit’ is a call for healing and imagination. The toolkit offers a design process for those who are incarcerated through cards, posters, and prompts. Those who are experts in their space can imagine places of restoration, reconciliation, respect, accountability, and investment. By designing for decarceration, this project invests in restorative justice and champions human dignity, so that those entangled in the system can invest in their fullest potential and support their return home.

Design Museum Everywhere

‘Inclusive Design: A Publication and Design-Thinking Activation’

With this project, Design Museum Everywhere aims to bring awareness to the diversity of human experience and the importance of inclusive design as a practice for non-designers and designers. Aligning with a publication focused on inclusive design, the Design Museum will create a ‘Design Together’ activity—a hands-on, design-focused learning activity for kids and families—that will be included within the publication, available online and distributed through community partnerships in Boston, Mass. and Portland, Ore. Design Museum will also engage teens through an applied design challenge focused on inclusive design.

Maine Preservation

‘Expanding Jane’s Walk ME’

‘Jane’s Walk ME’ is a celebration of community and history throughout Maine. Organized by Maine Preservation and local partners, the event brings people together to walk, observe, listen, share, question, reflect, imagine, and connect over Maine’s past, present, and future. Expanding the Walk in 2024 and beyond will include creating a core festival identity and platform, designing a new organizer outreach campaign, a walk leader training toolkit, as well as a marketing and promotional efforts to support the festival.