logo for Central Indiana Racial Equity Fund
CHALLENGE:
In June 2020, amidst a national reckoning around racial injustice, a coalition of major funders—including CICF, Eli Lilly and Company, and Lumina Foundation—came together to form the Central Indiana Racial Equity Fund (CIREF). The group needed a bold, unifying logo to reflect its shared commitment to social justice and systemic change. With multiple stakeholders, heightened public attention, and a rapidly approaching launch, the project required thoughtful design under tight timelines—and with deep sensitivity to language, symbolism, and representation.
SOLUTION:
I led the logo design process in direct collaboration with organizational leadership and funder representatives. During early discovery conversations, one phrase stuck with me: a funder described the goal of the initiative as “breaking chains of injustice.” That language became my creative north star, inspiring a graphic concept that felt both victorious and determined.
The final design features a bold, modern typeface with strong horizontal bars—subtly suggesting movement, structure, and the visual rhythm of broken links or barriers. The color palette and framing evoke urgency and action, while the simplicity of the mark ensures it can scale across print and digital platforms.
This logo became the public-facing symbol of a multi-million dollar initiative—anchoring communications, press coverage, and partner alignment during a pivotal moment in the region’s equity work.
Benjamin Snyder 