Melisa Betts Sanders

Melisa Betts Sanders, RA, NOMA, SEED, is the founding principal of BlackArc, a design collaborative dedicated to advancing racial, economic, and social equity through community-centered design. A licensed architect in Missouri, urban designer, educator, and advocate, Sanders is passionate about creating sustainable, equitable, and functional spaces, with a particular focus on disinvested and BIPOC communities. 

With over a decade of experience in interior design, architecture, and urban design, Sanders approaches her practice holistically, considering the impact of architecture on people, the environment, and the community. As one of the few women of color in architecture and urban design in the Midwest, she leverages her experiences to drive her community design efforts and is committed to expanding opportunities for designers of color. 

Sanders’ work extends beyond the local level, involving global research and projects in South Africa, Dubai, and Germany, with her research published internationally. She has also played a role in Design As Protest (DAP) / Dark Matter University as a core organizer, advocating for anti-racist design practices and architecture pedagogy.  

Locally, Sanders has held leadership roles such as vice president of the board of directors for DeSales Community Development and president of STLNoma. She co-founded and served as vice president of the Landmark’s Urbanites and was appointed by Mayor Tishaura O. Jones to the Prop NS Stabilization Advisory Committee, where she focuses on the stabilization of vacant properties in St. Louis City. 

Nationally, Sanders was named a fellow of the Association for Community Design in 2019 and serves on its board. As the director of community engagement for Counterpublic, she continues her commitment to community engagement. 

She holds a Master of Architecture and Master of Urban Design from Washington University in St. Louis, where she also teaches and advises on diverse student support.