01 Cohort 04 · Applications open

You've done
the work.
Now lead it.

A coaching program for senior UX professionals of color ready to stop being the safest hire and start being the obvious leader.

Apply for Cohort 04 → Explore the program ↓
★★★★★ 10,000+ designers coached 4 continents 12 weeks · cohort-based
$11M+
Unlocked for alumni in raises, equity & new roles
"the founder
you'd actually
listen to."
Our community works at
02 The Problem

Experience
isn't enough.

You've watched less-qualified people land the roles you trained them for. This isn't a skills problem — it's a positioning problem.

01

You're senior, but overlooked.

The promotions go to people you mentor. Your reviews say "ready" — but the title doesn't follow.

For IC7+
02

You lead projects, but not teams.

You're the one stakeholders trust, but the org chart still puts you a tier below the people you carry.

For Leads
03

You know the work, but not the room.

Executive presence isn't a personality trait. It's a practiced behavior — and no one taught it to you.

For Director-track
03 The Program · 4 modules · 12 weeks

What you'll
actually build.

Twelve weeks. Four modules. Live coaching, async drills, and a small cohort that becomes your professional bench.

04 About the founder
Amber, in studio.
Louisville, 2024.
Founder · Coach · Strategist

Hi, I'm
Amber.

Entrepreneur in Residence · Amplify Louisville Founder · Black UX Labs Brand Clarity Strategist

I built DFI because I watched too many brilliant senior designers of color hit the same invisible ceiling — and I knew exactly which skills, frames, and rooms unlocked it. This is the program I wish I'd had at year seven.

10K+
Designers Coached
Across 1:1, workshops, and cohorts.
$11M+
Opportunities Unlocked
In raises, equity, and new roles.
4
Continents Reached
Cohorts from Lagos to LA.
Read alumni stories →
"Amber gives you the words for the things you already knew but couldn't name."
05 Voices · alumni

"This is the room
I was looking for."

Senior designers, researchers, and leads who walked through DFI and came out the other side.

06 Cohort & Investment

Cohort 04 starts
September.

Two ways in. Both small. Both invite-led after application review.

Option · 01
The Cohort
~14 seats
$4,800One-time · or 3× monthly payments
  • Weekly live coaching with Amber
  • 4 module workshops + portfolio drills
  • Cohort Slack + 1:1 office hours
  • Lifetime alumni community access
  • Salary + offer negotiation sprint
Apply for Cohort 04 →
Most Chosen
Option · 02
Cohort + Private
~6 seats
$8,200Everything in The Cohort, plus 1:1 coaching
  • Six 1:1 sessions with Amber
  • Personal portfolio + LinkedIn audit
  • Warm intros to hiring partners
  • Custom comp negotiation playbook
  • Direct text access between sessions
Apply for the Track →
07 Before you apply

Questions, answered.

Senior UX professionals of color — typically 5–7+ years in — who are already shipping at a high level but haven't yet crossed into formal leadership. If "senior" is your ceiling and you know it shouldn't be, that's the room.
Twelve weeks, cohort-based, with lifetime alumni access.
About four hours: one 90-minute live session, plus drills and reading you can fit around full-time work.
The work is built around UX career paths, but if you're a senior designer-adjacent leader (research, content, ops) with the same ceiling, apply. We read every application.
Payment plans and a small number of partial scholarships are available — mention it in your application.
You'll hear back within five business days. Strong applicants are invited to a 30-minute conversation with Amber before final offers go out.
08 Between cohorts

Missed this round?
Get in early.

Cohort 05 opens applications in February. Drop your email and we'll get you the first slot.

No spam One email per cohort Unsubscribe anytime

Your next role
is waiting.
You just need the room.

Applications for Cohort 04 close August 15
Apply Now →