One of the best things I’ve done [so far] in the UK is see my R/GA planning mob work with the brilliant Brixton Finishing School.
They all graduate today so this post not only makes me – for once – super timely, but also super proud of them all.
Anyway, over the past few weeks they’ve been working with the students on the importance of putting creativity at the heart of strategy.
Well a couple of weeks ago it was my turn and it was massively emotional for me.
Not just because of their passion for creativity.
Not just because they embraced an old fucker with open arms.
But because of the openness of the conversation we had that touched on issues often swept under the carpet but are raw and real … especially if you’re a person of colour.
I was honoured to be there, we should be honoured they still want to work in adland given we – as an industry – are doing our level best to make them feel alienated, isolated or a token gesture.
It’s not hard to change this.
As I wrote about the need to embrace more female leadership, it’s just about making space.
The great irony is that the industry loves to talk about diversity, but not only do they fail to realise it’s about background not just heritage, it’s about how you let them behave. Basically if you make anyone feel penalised or negatively judged for simply being their authentic self, then you are acting in a way that is literally the opposite of diversity.
Sadly, many companies still don’t get this.
They better start or the people who are the one chance we have left to make this industry have a decent future, will finally have enough and take their potential and talent elsewhere.
Frankly, I would not blame them.
[Thanks Maya, Bree, Chelsea and Lani for the impact you still make on me]