Michele Crawford is currently a Project Manager in the Capital Construction Department at Cuyahoga Community College.  She is also the founder of Initiate Studios, a creative programming and design outreach start-up developed to facilitate collaborative crossroads of dialogue and action for community building through human-centered visioning, development and mentoring.  Michele believes that design changes our world and ultimately dreams to make design services more accessible to all communities.  

Michele served two service terms in the Americorps Program with the Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Charlotte, North Carolina.  She is a member of the American Institute of Architects, and National Organization of Minority Architects where she advocated and supports platforms for honest dialogue, and creates programs for professional development, mentoring and service.  In addition, she serves on various boards ranging from youth arts to development and neighborhood organizations.  In 2018, Michele was selected as a contributor to Ioby’s first Racial Justice Toolkit and received the AIA Cleveland’s Activism Award in 2015.

She received her bachelor’s degree in Interior Architecture from Ohio University and Master’s degree in Architecture with emphasis in Interiors from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.  She is passionate about people, process and painting!