Chicago, Illinois
February 19, 2026
Four high school students from various Chicago Public Schools will receive MacBooks at a ceremony hosted by Project Osmosis at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
The event will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at 37 S. Wabash Ave. in the Sharp Building. More than 50 students, mentors, families, and educators will attend to celebrate the future generation of creative leaders.
For over 20 years, the nonprofit organization Project Osmosis has provided design mentorship and creative technology for Black and brown students interested in careers in architecture, fashion, interior, graphic, and industrial design.
“Criteria for the ‘All High School Design Competition’ were based on an assignment given to them about designing with the future in mind. One of the things we advocate for is that we all have a human right to be creative, so we don’t dictate what that creativity looks like for our young people,” said Vernon Lockhart, executive director of Project Osmosis. “We usually hope that [our students] are doing something relevant to our current ecosystem and what our society is dealing with as a whole, because we also view design as a problem-solving tool.”
“We are grateful to the School of the Art Institute [SAIC] for their partnership and for hosting the event. The curriculum at SAIC is very similar to the mission of Project Osmosis—about dreams, self-expression, and community. Creatively, there are not enough programs for youth in Chicago—especially on the South and West sides of the city, that really address the creative needs of young people,” said Lockhart. “One of the things that helps a person develop is to see them and see that they have the potential to make an impact.”
The MacBooks will provide recipients with essential technology for portfolio development, continued design study, and college preparation.
The mission of Project Osmosis is to create programs and initiatives that identify, develop, and support young people from minority communities with demonstrated abilities and skills in the applied arts. Through these efforts, our intention is to increase the influence and presence of art and design professionals from minority communities while expanding the reach of artistic expression for all people.
Media Contact—Angela Williams
Project Osmosis: Design Education Initiative
312.505.4920 / 773-368-6724
1740 W 99th Street
Chicago, IL 60643
projectosmosis.org
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