Black History and The Black Pound

Black History Month has come to a close, and I want to use this time to inspire, educate and stimulate the influential minds within the Creative Industry.? To all the #ceos seated at the top table in boardrooms alongside #csuite #leaders, those with authority to make a difference and inform the direction and culture of agencies, businesses and brands. I am speaking directly into your space to provide a way to reflect on ways to transform your internal culture.

When would be a good time like now to face the real-life challenges within your organisation?

I want to acknowledge and show my respect to the dedicated employee resource leaders and groups. They carry the mantle and are deeply invested in advancing your business to create a culture representing society.?

In the UK, Black History Month provided an opportunity to firmly place the contributions and innovations of people of African and Caribbean heritage at the forefront. Thirty-one days to influence CEOs, Comms Strategists, and Marketers to focus and equip you with insights and critical considerations to take your business to the next level, gaining that competitive edge over the competition.

As the UK's first Black British woman to carry out the most comprehensive study into the Multi-Ethnic consumer market through the Black Pound Report. I'm privileged to hold unique insights into the economic spending power of Black, Asian and Multi-Ethnic consumers. I'll share some new insights on my lived experiences with you and give you a call to focus on the findings with an open mind.

I encourage you to use this time to reflect on how you can further drive culture and innovation within your organisation - remembering what you say is necessary, but your actions speak volumes.? Action will always be the superhero.

Below are thought-provoking insights which will help you identify gaps within your organisation:

• Black History Month is a celebratory time to integrate talent across your business and return to the drawing board to ensure that Black talent has a safe space to progress up the ladder of possibility in the workplace. On a scale of one being the lowest and ten the highest, where would you measure your progress?
• New insights from the Black Pound Report show that Black talent is more career-focused and ambitious. 59% want to progress to the top of their chosen career. Black talent will stay with an employer who supports them to succeed and offers them equal opportunities compared to their white counterparts.
• Recruiting Black talent creates healthy internal competition and greater productivity. However, be aware and be careful to ensure that your Black talent doesn't experience burnout due to the need to prove their value and worth.
• All industries across the board are experiencing a lack of talent retention, which is a loss to any business, especially concerning Black talent. Respondents from the research show they want to start their businesses in the next 12 months due to the lack of opportunity being overlooked at work. Awareness campaigns do provide opportunities to discuss the issues that matter. However, action is the key to transformation.
• Black men are even more driven, with 65% saying they want to progress to the top of their careers.??
• Black people have to work harder to gain recognition to overcome bias and negative stereotypes faced in the workplace.
• Black individuals can feel, at times, that they need to work much harder to prove they are suitable for the position; they are highly motivated and have to leave themselves, unlike their White counterparts.

So what can you do??

Here are some suggestions for you to action and implement within your organisation:

• I invite you to acknowledge the talent surrounding you and teams of employees who are passionate about your organisation; they want to commit, immerse themselves into an open culture and, in turn, help you reap the rewards and dividends. Recognition is required with the opportunity for professional growth. So what can you do differently now that you're armed with these powerful insights and strategies? You have the keys to ensuring your business is diverse and inclusive to people from all backgrounds and its plethora of intersectionalities.
• Acknowledge that Black talent is the same colour all year round. I say this not to be facetious but to express how some of your employees feel. No person desires to have the spotlight for only 31 days out of the year. A steadfast commitment to your values of being diverse and inclusive is the key to true success. Although I am sure many are aware, repetition is the mother of all skills, and I’m here to help you become accountable for the promises you made to BC George Floyd and after that.
• Set targets for the goals you want to achieve, move seriously and make waves; your people have an antenna for truth.

Daily BACKLIGHT receives enquiries and provides consultations to agencies, brands, and businesses who are understandably fearful and concerned about getting it wrong regarding Black Asian and Multi-Ethnic people.?

I encourage you to decide and then create a clear strategy to move you forward, however deep in the water you feel you are. Please be sure to remain consistent in your efforts to grow your business and help it to become more inclusive and diverse.?

Inclusivity is a crucial part of any progressive business that wants to remain relevant in the 21st century. People with diverse knowledge and expertise bring a competitive edge to the table.

Sameness will not challenge the status quo, yet differences can be celebrated and remunerated.?

I want to thank Shelley Bishton Maria St Louis Leila Siddiqi , who championed the Black Pound Report. Long may we continue to create impact, together we go further.

#blackhistorymonth #agencies #innovation #diversityandinclusion #ideas #equitydiversityinclusion