Kia Weatherspoon on Women Worldwide

Kia Weatherspoon, founder of Determined by Design, joins Host Deirdre Breakenridge on Women Worldwide. Kia was a dancer turned soldier who then fell in love with interior design. Kia has ten years of diverse experience in hospitality design and management, high-end residential and multi-family design with a splash of architectural sales. Kia founded her company, Determined by Design in 2012 to begin creating spaces that eclipse current design trends. On the show, Kia discussed personal stories including when she first discovered the meaning of space. When living in the Middle East (just after 911) with 14 other women soldiers, she needed a reprieve to let out a flood of emotions. She took her issued troop sheets that were meant for her cot and hung them around her with string to create three sheet walls instead. Kia left active duty and has been creating spaces ever since. Kia also shared fond memories of her education at Moore College of Art and Design and how she was surrounded by women leaders and “the most visually talented women.” It was at Moore that she first recognized her true talent for design. Kia also mentioned her work (and favorite project) with Room to Rebloom, which is a non-profit that creates healing home environments for survivors of domestic violence. Kia worked with the organization to take women and children through the design process creating interior spaces that can really impact a person's life. A little more about Kia Weatherspoon… Kia believes in service-based leadership, demonstrated through active involvement with the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). Her company, Determined by Design, uses a unique process that engages future patrons and neighbors in the design process through social media and technology. A little about our sponsor, Moore College of Art and Design... Moore College of Art & Design educates students for careers in art and design. Founded in 1848, Moore is the nation's first and only women's visual arts college for undergraduates. The College's career-focused environment and professionally active faculty form a dynamic community in the heart of Philadelphia's cultural district, surrounded by world-class museums. The College offers ten Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees for women and four coeducational graduate programs. In addition, Moore provides many valuable opportunities in the arts through The Galleries at Moore, Continuing Education Certificate programs for professional adults, the acclaimed Young Artists Workshop, The Art Shop and the Sculpture Park.  For more information about Moore, visit www.moore.edu You can connect with Kia on LinkedIn and Twitter @KiaWeatherspoon.  You can connect with Moore College of Art & Design on Twitter @MooreCollegeArt