( ENSPIRE Feature ) Chandra Moore, Director of Design and Founder of coG-studio LLC
Chandra Moore is an African American woman whose career is in Architectural Design, which is rare because it is 3% of women in the field, as well as a handful of women of color. Moore took on the challenge and decided that she was going to break barriers by not giving in to the social stance of society and started her own architectural business. She had to endure obstacles in order to become a success story.
“As a black woman and as a woman in general, I had so many people who doubted me, but it only made me stronger. I am the type of person that will find ways to make things happen. I had a lot of experience in this field and I wanted to be my own boss and create something that could inspire others,” said Moore
Everything starts with a foundation and support system and that was one of the biggest factors that helped Moore as she balanced being an entrepreneur, wife, and managing a family. “You have to have a positive support system and each individual has to balance each other. My husband has been a huge help with helping me out when I need it.”
In 2011 she started coG-studio. She also led the redesign of Hill Harper’s Charles H. Fisher Mansion. As she has worked on a variety of projects from the 20-acre Detroit Medical Center Courts, to the Detroit Future City, her passion remains in revitalizing Urban Communities and there is much more in development for COG Studio. “I enjoy helping my community out, as well as providing opportunities for others. There is nothing like helping other people out and it gives me great joy in creating other opportunities.”
Moore is known to give advice to anyone that will ask her and she will always answer, “Follow your Passion and Purpose.” Have that drive to overcome adversity and obstacles that may get in your way and you have to have faith in everything that you do.”
