As Black and minority voices continue to impact the industry's progress towards equity and inclusivity, one woman is sparking opportunities for Black and Brown voices and opinions to be heard.

Architectural designer Melissa Daniel is the creator and host of the growing podcast series Architecture is Political. Daniel specifically emphasizes the podcast is where "Black and Brown folks have a conversation about architecture," and the reasons for starting the podcast is to "rediscover why I went into architecture." It's this point that makes her mission towards amplifying the experiences of minority voices and their views on how the discipline impacts their lives a much-needed outlet for digestible discourse.

Having launched her first podcast episode earlier this year, topics include mapping segregation in D.C., Muslim Women in architecture, gentrification, and issues on "curated tolerance." After listening to a few of her podcasts, it's clear that her vocal presence, openness, and conversational ease make this a podcast series you shouldn't miss. Her guest list ranges from architects to designers, writers, and even filmmakers. 

For those interested in hearing more BIPOC women's voices, other notable podcasts to check out are Breaking the Silence of Design, a bi-monthly vodcast led by Karen Compton and Gabrielle Bullock, XX|LA Podcast led by LA-based architect Audrey Sato, and the Design Voice Podcast led by architect Catherine Meng of DLR Group.