Is DE&I D-E-A-D?

Let’s talk about it. Our industry has failed to move the needle forward on inclusion since 2020. Diversity programs are under attack on the national stage. DEI Officers are losing their jobs. Media representation and equity still continues to fall short on authenticity.

That’s why Hero Media is proud to produce the inaugural Blackweek conference coming to New York City October 15-18. In case you missed the buzz online last week, or our feature in Ad Age, Blackweek is a first-of-its-kind conference dedicated to disrupting inclusion and moving culture forward, coming to New York City October 15-18, 2024. I founded Blackweek, alongside Monique Nelson , Executive Chairman, UNIWORLD Group (UWG); Walter T Geer III , CCO, Innovation North America, VML; andre gray Chief Creative Officer, Annex 88 (Havas); Adan Romero , Chief Creative Officer, FKA Publicis; Dabo Ché , Founder, CHé Creative; Gabrielle Shirdan , Founder and CEO, Kitchen Table.

You can learn more below, and how to get involved at Blackweek.co

- Joseph Anthony , Founder and Chairman, Hero Media

Introducing Blackweek...

We are proud to announce some exciting news at Hero Media. It’s no secret that the current state of inclusion and DE&I is under attack in America.? With that in mind, several prominent Black and Latino advertising leaders and I have joined forces to create Blackweek 2024, a first-of-its-kind economic forum and marketing conference dedicated to creating greater equity for diverse professionals and founders, while helping brands unlock the true economic potential of diverse audiences. Join us October 15-18 at Spring Studios in lower Manhattan, where we will convene some of the most profound voices in our industry to have real conversations on how to move our culture forward.

When we say diverse, we mean diverse. Everyone has a crucial role to play here. Blackweek is a chance for changemakers of all races, all cultures, to come together and learn how to shed stereotypes, misnomers, and the old codes of conduct. Together we’ll begin to dismantle everything that’s impeded us, kept us from finding the common ground from which we empower ourselves. How can we set the stage for black employees to be elevated to partners in the workplace? How can we educate white C-suite execs and business owners on how to tap into Black trendsetters, and understand the power of Black consumers? We have much to learn from, and teach to, one another. For our symposium to succeed, to deconstruct and reconstruct DE&I, to unlock the full potential of Blackweek, we need you there.

The days will be full of keynotes, conversations, panels, breakout sessions, and webinars with a variety of diverse leaders across marketing, media, tech, healthcare, entertainment and private equity. Programming content will be focused around helping diverse professionals to empower themselves and take greater control of maximizing their own equity in industries critical to their future.

Why now? Because despite the countless post-2020 promises and commitments, or the immense economic and cultural contributions that diverse communities make to mainstream culture, we still lack diversity in executive leadership, ownership and equity in the platforms critical to creating real change for the world's underserved communities.

With this in mind, we bring the industry Blackweek – an event that’s about taking action on how to deconstruct and reconstruct inclusion.

Check out the site for more info on how to reserve your spot, join as a sponsor, or become a speaker.? Blackweek.co

Ad Age - Ad Leaders Launch Blackweek, a Conference Meant to Solve Business Problems Through Diversity and Inclusion

Brand&Culture - Black and Latino advertising leaders spearhead Blackweek Conference to revolutionize DEI and empower underrepresented communities

Campaign US - Movers & Shakers: Mojo Supermarket, Blackweek, Dentsu, Absolut and more

Essence - Black-Owned Ad Tech Company Launches First-Of-Its-Kind Machine Learning Powered Media Buying Platform