Our theme, Hideo 2024: Go for the Gold, celebrated Hideo Sasaki’s career, the Sasaki Foundation’s work, and the design community. We highlighted the Olympic connections we uncovered: Sasaki, the firm Hideo founded, has worked on four different Olympics: Lake Placid in 1980, Los Angeles in 1984, Atlanta in 1996, and Beijing in 2008. And did you know architecture was once an Olympic competition? We also recognized the diversity in Boston’s design community with 20+ countries represented at the event.

The Sasaki Foundation’s work was also front and center. Since kicking off our own programming in 2018, we have pushed forward our mission of equity in design:

• 625+ students introduced to careers in design through our design education programs
• $316,000 awarded to community-led projects through the Design Grants
• 235+ events hosted to connect communities and design professionals

At a special medal ceremony, we awarded gold to four of our incredible volunteers:

• Melissa Teng: Community-led Design Award for a community partner of the Hideo Sasaki Foundation focused on equity in the design process, engaging young people in design, and amplifying community voices.
• Jared Barnett: Excellence in Design Education Award for a design education volunteer with the Hideo Sasaki Foundation who demonstrates a passion for building a more equitable industry and a desire to work with youth.
• Hyeji Sheen: Leadership in Design Equity Award for a volunteer with the Hideo Sasaki Foundation who works across all pillars of programming, truly championing our work in the community, with young people, and within the design industry.
• James Miner: Hideo Sasaki Leadership Award for a supporter of the Hideo Sasaki Foundation who gives selflessly, truly believes in the power of collaborative design, and has proven to be a champion in our mission to build a more equitable design industry.

Thank you to the Sasaki Fabrication Studio for 3D printing our Hideo 2024 gold medals!