Lauren Hood is a futurist, activist, and founder of the Institute for AfroUrbanism, an urban think tank exploring pathways to Black thriving across the diaspora. A professor of practice at Taubman College, her work bridges community development, cultural heritage, and radical imagination.

Rooted in Detroit, Hood’s vision is both practical and metaphysical, seeking to co-create futures that honor Black culture, channel ancestral wisdom, and inspire transformative possibilities across dimensions of time and space. In her interview with Madame Architect this month, Hood talks about radical shifts, lived experiences, and our power to shape our future, advising those just starting their careers to trust in their own unique journey.