Each year, the Designing Futures Breakfast brings together educators, designers, and advocates who believe creativity opens doors. Across Philadelphia, too many young people are told that creativity won’t lead to success, but Dr. Costner rejects that narrative and makes sure her students do too.



This year, we’re proud to honor Dr. Lakita Costner, an educator, artist, and leader whose work has redefined how young people in Philadelphia learn about and experience design. Through her work in the School District of Philadelphia, she helps Career and Technical Education students see themselves as innovators and creators.


Beyond the classroom, Dr. Costner founded TwelveArt, a creative collective dedicated to advocacy and innovation, opening doors for emerging artists and designers to thrive. Her collaborations with organizations like Comcast, NFL, TGR Learning Labs (Tiger Woods Foundation), and DesignPhiladelphia have created tangible opportunities for students to explore design in real-world contexts.

Her programs have been spotlighted on Good Morning America and celebrated locally for elevating the creative potential of Philadelphia’s youth.

With her partnership, we proudly welcomed 50+ high school students to our first-ever Student Design Tech Summit on October 9, during the DesignPhiladelphia Festival. These students engaged in hands-on demos led by professionals across diverse design fields, discovering how their CTE skills translate into creative, sustainable careers.

Dr. Costner’s career is a testament to what can happen when creativity leads the way. Her published research on Design Thinking and Art Cooperative Learning continues to inspire educators nationwide to reimagine classrooms as places of empowerment and belonging.
Join us as we celebrate Dr. Lakita Costner at this year’s Designing Futures Breakfast, and honor the work that’s changing what education can look like in our city.