MOMENTUM MONTHLY
Issue 04
FEBRUARY
2026
HERE’S WHAT’S INSIDE:
PAGE 2 WOMEN OF COLOR IN DESIGN
PAGE 4 BELONGING IN THE WORKPLACE
PAGE 6 DESIGN NERDS ANONYMOUS PODCAST
Woven In: Women of Color in Design
On January 22, 2026, Libby Gillen, Vice President of A+D Engagement, hosted the Women of Color in Design networking event. Set in the Idyllwild oasis of our Chicago showroom, the morning discussions brought together old friends and colleagues as well as new connections. As Libby noted, it “fostered a sense of community and support among women of color in the design industry.”
“Regardless of how they felt upon arrival, participants left the event feeling uplifted, heard, and connected.”
This group was formed virtually during the pandemic after the murder of George Floyd. Many people of color were feeling isolated physically and emotionally. Cheryl Durst (IIDA CEO), myself, and 18 others got on a Zoom call just to support one another from afar. We decided to do the call the next month but invited more designers and design adjacent partners to the call. Those calls grew over the next several months to over 100 women. We would schedule them after 7pm on the east coast to capture time zones that included Hawaii.
Thank you to Libby for sharing the following information and inspiration. We can find so much strength in community and communication, and we are thankful that Libby offered an opportunity to gather, reflect, collaborate, and unify.
By late 2021, we were back into work and our time was restricted to organize monthly meetings. We didn’t disband but no one had the time or proper attention to keep the calls going. In 2022, during NeoCon, we set out to gather women of color for an afternoon gathering at the Tarkett showroom on that Tuesday afternoon. That has now led to two events at the Momentum showroom during NeoCon. We are not a paid organization or an LLC; no one has time for that. We gather when we can and connect on our private LinkedIn page when needing information or fellowship. That’s the story of how this group has grown organically and casually. .”
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Sandwiched between Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the start of Black History Month, women of color in design gathered for a networking event aimed at fostering connections within the Chicago Market. Momentum brought a group of designers, architects and sales representatives to our showroom to provide them a platform to communicate, celebrate and share a few words of their intention for 2026. Words like Caring, Courage, and Curious were themes for personal growth, while others expressed feelings of Risk, Anxiousness, and Resilience in relation of today’s world. One designer used an analogy of child’s toy that “they” could mess with her but “Weeble’s wobble but they don’t fall down”.
THROWBACK: 2024 WOMEN OF COLOR IN DESIGN
02
Community Thread
Q1 Trend Forecasting: Geo-Logic
The DEIB Committee is excited to welcome back Dr. Len Meyer for another engaging and impactful session. This session will explore how unconscious bias and belonging are deeply connected—and why understanding our biases isn’t just about avoiding missteps, but about improving communication, collaboration, and decision-making across the organization. Participants will gain practical tools to recognize and challenge their own biases, helping to create a more inclusive and effective workplace. BELONGING IN THE WORKPLACE: IDENTIFYING & HEALING UNCONSCIOUS BIAS
SESSION 1: FEBRUARY 3, 1-2PM EST
HEALTHCARE: QUIET RELIEF Trend — Gentle Systems Quiet Relief draws from the calm of a mountainside retreat: cool air, softened light, and a sense of shelter that invites the body to slow. This healthcare aesthetic feels breathable yet protected, with visible woven textures, softened mid-century modern-inspired shapes, and acoustic layers that wrap spaces in a blanket-like sense of comfort—supporting rest, recovery, and quiet reassurance.
HOSPITALITY: ELECTRIC BLOOM Trend — Sensory Resonance Defined by Electric Bloom, this hospitality direction imagines nature as the driving force behind digital influence—shaping and refining form with expressive energy. Organic elements feel subtly manipulated, with etched patterns, softened edges, and florals rendered both abstract and digitally precise. The result is immersive and tactile, where nature leads and technology follows—artful and alive.
SESSION 2: FEBRUARY 3, 2-3PM EST
MLK Day was observed on January 19, 2026. In alignment with The King Center’s 2026 theme, “Mission Possible II: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way” and as we enter into Black History Month, we are encouraged to consider how we can serve others. By giving our time and care to the communities around us, we help carry forward Dr. King’s vision of a more connected and compassionate society. Small acts of service make a meaningful impact. Consider delivering meals through Meals on Wheels, donating shoes to Soles4Souls, or organizing a book drive. Through the words of Dr. King, “Life’s most urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” HONORING THE GREAT DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
WORKPLACE: EARTHEN STUDIO Trend — Natural Frameworks Shaped by craft, process, and the forces of time, Earthen Studio frames the workplace through materials that feel formed rather than finished. Textiles and wallcoverings reveal layered weaves and pressed surfaces that echo worked wood, cork, weathered stone, and sand-softened forms shaped by wind and wear. The result is a calm, durable aesthetic rooted in material intelligence.
EDUCATION: FOREST RHYTHM Trend — Evolving Landscapes The Forest Rhythm design trend frames education spaces as living systems shaped by natural cycles and growth. Inspired by the layered structure of forests, surfaces feel cultivated and interwoven—mixing soft weaves, moss-toned textures, and subtle indentations that recall bark, rings, and organic engravings. The result supports curiosity, focus, and moments of restoration as learning unfolds.
LEARN MORE WAYS TO SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY
Custom Autex
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
04
FEBRUARY
2026
NOW LISTENING: DESIGN NERDS ANONYMOUS PODCAST In this episode of Design Nerds Anonymous, ThinkLab Founder and President Amanda Schneider invites listeners behind the scenes of a live experiential research session at the 2025 Healthcare Design Conference in Kansas City. The episode captures insights from more than 60 healthcare end users, designers, manufacturers, and dealers as they discuss how choices shaping healthcare environments truly come to life. This episode will help you understand the benefit of early problem identification, alignment, and strong partnerships.
LISTEN HERE
FROM OUR TABLE TO YOURS: STICKY HONEY MUSTARD CHICKEN THIGHS WITH CRUNCHY SLAW
Refresh your palette in 2026 with this easy weeknight meal of tangy, flavorful chicken on a bed of crisp lime slaw.
SLAW
1 small green cabbage, thinly sliced 2 carrots, shaved 1 red onion, thinly sliced 1/3 cup chopped cilantro 2 tbsp lime juice 1 garlic clove, minced Big pinch of kosher salt and pepper 1/4 cup avocado oil 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs Kosher salt and pepper 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp smoked paprika 3 tbsp dijon mustard 3 tbsp honey 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar CHICKEN
1. Slaw: In a large bowl, combine the cabbage, carrots, cilantro, and red onion. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper. Whisk in the oil until emulsified. Pour over slaw and toss well. 3. Chicken: Heat your broiler to high and make sure the oven rack is directly below (or two below). 4. Season the chicken all over with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Place it on a baking sheet. Broil for 6 minutes, then flip and broil for 6 more minutes. While broiling, whisk together the mustard, honey and vinegar. 5. As soon as the chicken is finished, brush with the honey mustard mixture. Return and broil for 1 minute. Flip the chicken and brush it again with the honey mustard. Broil for another minute. You can repeat this 1 or 2 more times, broiling for 30 seconds to 1 minute after each. When the chicken is done, brush more honey mustard on it and let it rest for 10 minutes. 6. Slice the chicken and serve it over the slaw. Enjoy!
ABOUT MOMENTUM MONTHLY Momentum Monthly is an internal newsletter that provides company and industry updates and offers discussion and inspiration about the following topics: HR news/holidays, industry dates/intel, product launch updates, Q&A with employees or industry leaders, WGSN trend reporting, helpful hints, book/song/podcast/recipe recommendations. Share feedback with us at momentummonthly@momtex.com.
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