Dr. Carolyn L. Mazloomi

Dr. Carolyn L. Mazloomi is an acclaimed American quilter, art historian, curator, author, and former aerospace engineer known for her powerful “narrative quilts” that vividly depict African-American history and contemporary social issues. Born in Baton Rouge, she earned a PhD in aerospace engineering before transitioning from a career at the Federal Aviation Administration to focus on textile arts.

In 1981, she founded the African-American Quilt Guild of Los Angeles, and later the Women of Color Quilters Network, which has grown to support thousands of artists of color through mentorship, exhibitions, and community. Her quilts explore themes such as family, civil rights, music, and gender, and have been exhibited in over 80 museums worldwide, including prestigious institutions such as the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Civil Rights Museum.

Dr. Mazloomi is also an award-winning author and curator, known for books and exhibitions that celebrate African-American culture and history. She has received numerous honors, including the Ohio Heritage Fellowship, the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship, induction into the Quilters Hall of Fame, and the United States Artists Fellowship.

Combining her engineering expertise with her artistic vision, Dr. Mazloomi’s work powerfully connects art, history, and activism, demonstrating how quilts can serve as profound expressions of cultural identity and social justice.