Derek Davis interviews Cecil Hayes on February 23, 2023 at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC). Cecil Hayes was born on April 25th, 1945 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida although her origins are in Malone, Florida. Cecil discusses her childhood in Fort Lauderdale and Lauderhill. She describes her education, graduating from Florida A&M University with a Bachelor's degree in art education. She became a high school teacher in Alma, Georgia as they were integrating the school systems. Her career as an interior designer begun after receiving an education from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. She was one of two African Americans at the school. She explains she was the first African American designer to be showcased in Architectural Digest. She is the author of two interior design books published by Watson-Guptill Random House. Cecil describes her recruitment by Samuel Morrison to be the interior designer of AARLCC.
