Beyoncé has cause a lot of Buzz these past few weeks. Let me give you the snapshot version of where where my title is stemming from. Beyoncé is re-launching her IVY PARK line and met with different retail manufactures to execute her plans. In a particular meeting with Reebok, after presentations were given, she took a step back and asked, ‘Is this the team that’ll be working on my product?’ Someone replied yes, and she continued, ‘Nobody in this room reflects my background, my skin color, and where I’m from and what I want to do.” This interaction supposedly ended the meeting abruptly.
What a word! We’ve been asking questions like this for so long. We, People of Color, Black People have been shouting this from the roof tops. So many Diversity and Inclusion (D & I) groups in corporations trying to figure out the “solution” to why we don’t have representation from people of color in C-suite positions or director roles. The career path sort of halts at junior or manager position. I know I can speak for my industry that this is truth.
Why is that?
Are people of color provided with tools to get promoted? Are they not nurturing the people of color currently in their companies? Do they have a culture fitting for everyone?
Weather this story regarding Beyoncé is the complete truth or not. This topic is now brought to the forefront many of us have been talking about for years and I’m truly hoping the right people are taking notes. It affects the company as a whole when diversity isn’t part of decision making. This is not the first instance I’ve heard of deals and contracts not being completed due to lack of diversity in the company. It’s so interesting how we’re living in a time where we you can’t get away with what THEY use to. Diversity seems to be the topic across all industries and it’s interesting to see the different “solutions” industry come up with. Continue to ask the questions; Why aren’t POC in leadership positions across industry’s and how can we START to remedy that.
SMH..And the wonder why we go off and create of own path, resulting is GREATER outcomes
With that said check out Janesha Bull panel coming up for The One Club for Creativity Summit talking about this very topic, “Creating a Culture of Inclusion & Transparency in the Workplace”
‘Till Next Time,
Francisca Moliere, Marketing/Advertising Guru