Anti-Blackness in corporate America is not always discreet or whispered at water coolers or behind bathroom stalls. It can be blatant, unapologetic and sometimes even engrained in our own culture as Black children are taught to assimilate, work harder, longer and without complaints in order to fit in and succeed.
It has taken education, self-awareness and a willingness to explore those negative narratives so many of us have been taught. It is the reason why the organization ADCOLOR is so important today. Established by Tiffany Warren in 2009, the ADCOLOR’s Annual Awards and Conference, held last Monday and Tuesday in Hollywood, was established to promote inclusion by recognizing highly successful professionals of color.
Held September 18 –19 at the Loews Hotel Hollywood, ADCOLOR highlights included powerful panels; “Bold Moves”, featuring Bozoma Saint John, Chief Brand Officer of Uber, “The Emotional Power of VR,” sponsored by Facebook and hosted by Megan Summers, Global Head of Production, a One-on-One conversation with Snoop Dogg as a part of the conference’s “Disruptor Series and a vibrant panel entitled, “Five Woke Women”.
Standing room only, a hush came over the crowd of largely affluent African American men and women, who were there to hear from these female experts in their fields. Moderated by Trisch L. Smith, EVP managing director of Diversity and Inclusion at Edelman (Advertising Agency), asked fellow panelists; Susie Nam (“Droga5”), Rutina Wesley (“Queen Sugar”), Daisy Auger-Domoniguez (“Viacom”), Allison Allen (“OATH”) and Jezzika Chung (“TBWA/Media Arts Lab”) how they can encourage organizations to move past the “one and done” mentality of diversity in the workplace.
Allison Allen, the global head of Diversity, Inclusion and Talent Engagement at Verizon’s Oath, responded by saying. “I’m so not interested in getting seats at the table. That’s so 1972. I think we should be trying to get diverse people and expand that definition [to include] more than just the obvious. We have to be in people’s faces and challenge them in a way that they can understand. Forget about the seat at the table,” she said.
The ADCOLOR Awards awards were held on Tuesday, September 19th. ADCOLOR Awards ceremony honored the achievements of African-American, American Indian/Native American, Asian Pacific-American, Hispanic/Latino and LGBTQ champions specifically in advertising and the creative industries. This year’s Awards show was hosted actress and activist, Aisha Tyler with presenters including Emmy-award winner writer/producer Lena Waithe, and actor Laz Alonso. The awards was the finale of the 2-day conference,
This years’ LEGEND AWARD went to Nadja Bellan-White, a leader at Ogilvy (Advertising Agency) “As a person of color in the creative industry, many of us have to manage the delicate balance of lending your unique perspective and skillset to the business by being who the agency wants you to be, while simultaneously trying to remain true to who you really are.” The INNOVATIVE AWARD went to Silicon Valley veteran Morgan DeBaun, CEO of Blavity, Inc. an iconic tech and multimedia platform offering a seamless mix of humor, critical commentary and valuable thought-leadership. “Blavity is a reflection of the love and passion of hard working millennials… who go to Harvard Law and Spelman, contributors who are Rhodes scholars, community organizers, poets and investment bankers,” says DeBaun. “Despite the articles seen in Techcrunch or VentureBeat, most people fail, and those who are succeeding are busting their butts to stay on top. Silicon Valley, Detroit or St. Louis, the best thing someone can do is just start.”
“I always say,” Smith concluded, “‘Diversity is inviting people to the party; inclusion is asking them to the dance.'”
ALL-STAR AWARD
An ADCOLOR® All-Star is a recognized public figure who has used their celebrity to champion a cause or challenge the status quo. They have pushed boundaries and created catalytic change, setting the stage for current and future generations to take the opportunities made by this All-Star, even further.
HONOREE: Jesse Williams, actor, activist, and entrepreneur
LEGEND AWARD
The ADCOLOR Legend Award is presented to a trailblazer who isn’t afraid to be different and who showed brilliance in his/her actions, a singular leader in their industry.
HONOREE: Keli Lee, managing director, International Content and Talent at ABC Studios International
HONOREE: Nadja Bellan-White, EVP, Global Brand Management at Ogilvy & Mather
CATALYST AWARD
The ADCOLOR Catalyst Award is presented to an individual of note who uses his or her platform to serve as the voice of a cause or community. Their provocative courage, professional brilliance and selfless community outreach have sparked change and propelled progress within their respective industries and the world.
HONOREE: Elaine Welteroth, editor-in-chief at Teen Vogue
ADVOCATE AWARD
The ADCOLOR Advocate Award is presented to an LGBT advertising, marketing or media professional who increases awareness of LGBT causes within and outside of the creative industries.
HONOREE: Wilson Cruz, actor & activist, star of “13 Reasons Why” and “Star Trek: Discovery”.
ADCOLOR IN TECH AWARD
The ADCOLOR in Tech Award is presented to an individual who has championed diversity & inclusion in the tech industries.
HONOREE: Erin Teague, Virtual Reality Product Lead at YouTube
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to inductees into the AAF Advertising Hall of Achievement or individuals who are seasoned industry veterans who pushed the boundaries and created positive change, setting the stage for generations to come to take the opportunities made by these icons, even further.
HONOREE: Johnson Publishing Company
HONOREE: Carol H. Williams, president, CEO and chief creative officer at Carol H. Williams Advertising
ADCOLOR|ONE CLUB CREATIVE AWARD
The One Club|ADCOLOR Creative Award is presented to a creative professional of multicultural background who has demonstrated noteworthy talent and achievement within the media, creative, digital and traditional advertising disciplines. These recipients are chosen by The One Club Board of Directors.
HONOREE: Max Stinson, Creative Director at Wieden+Kennedy
HONOREE: Wells Davis, Chief Strategy Officer, Managing Partner at David & Goliath
THE AD OF THE YEAR AWARD
The ADCOLOR Ad of the Year Award is given to a campaign or single execution that pushes boundaries, promotes conversation and highlights the lives of multicultural, LGBT and/or other under-represented Americans in the mass media.
WINNER: The Atlantic / Wieden+Kennedy, New York / “Typecast”
CHANGE AGENT AWARD
The ADCOLOR Change Agent Award is presented to an individual within a company who is using their talents and position to enhance the corporate culture and create a more inclusive environment. This can be part of or beyond the scope of that person’s primary role.
WINNER: Ronnie Dickerson Stewart, VP, group director- Talent Engagement & Inclusion, DigitasLBi, NA
INNOVATOR AWARD
The ADCOLOR Innovator Awards is presented to a remarkable professional who embodies progress and imagination. Someone who stands out among peers as a game changer and pioneer in their role, creating breakthrough developments and/or improvements, whether tangible or intangible.
WINNER: Morgan DeBaun, CEO, Blavity Inc.
ROCKSTAR AWARD
The ADCOLOR Rock Star Award is presented to an outstanding professional who, whether through their primary role or extracurricular activities, stands out as a leader and visionary in the industry.
WINNER: Kofi Amoo-Gottfried, head of consumer marketing, Facebook
RISING STAR AWARD
The ADCOLOR Rising Star Award is presented to an up-and-coming young gun with less than seven years of experience. The Rising Star honoree is someone who stands out among their peers as someone who is raising the bar of excellence as they move forward in their career.
WINNER: Jessica McGlory, associate director, Paid Social Lead, Engine Media
MOST VALUABLE PARTNERSHIP AWARD
The ADCOLOR MVP Award is presented to two or more companies that work together to provide exceptional and highly effective diversity solutions within their organizations and industries. They may be an agency, marketer, media company or diverse supplier with NMSDC or WBENC certification that team up for short or long-term projects that promote diversity and inclusion in the creative industries.
WINNER: Wieden+Kennedy & Courageous Conversation
ALL-STAR AWARD
An ADCOLOR® All-Star is a recognized public figure who has used their celebrity to champion a cause or challenge the status quo. They have pushed boundaries and created catalytic change, setting the stage for current and future generations to take the opportunities made by this All-Star, even further.
HONOREE: Jesse Williams, actor, activist, and entrepreneur
LEGEND AWARD
The ADCOLOR Legend Award is presented to a trailblazer who isn’t afraid to be different and who showed brilliance in his/her actions, a singular leader in their industry.
HONOREE: Keli Lee, managing director, International Content and Talent at ABC Studios International
HONOREE: Nadja Bellan-White, EVP, globalbBrand management at Ogilvy & Mather
CATALYST AWARD
The ADCOLOR Catalyst Award is presented to an individual of note who uses his or her platform to serve as the voice of a cause or community. Their provocative courage, professional brilliance and selfless community outreach have sparked change and propelled progress within their respective industries and the world.
HONOREE: Elaine Welteroth, editor-in-chief at Teen Vogue
ADVOCATE AWARD
The ADCOLOR Advocate Award is presented to an LGBT advertising, marketing or media professional who increases awareness of LGBT causes within and outside of the creative industries.
HONOREE: Wilson Cruz, Actor & Activist, star of “13 Reasons Why” and “Star Trek: Discovery”
ADCOLOR IN TECH AWARD
The ADCOLOR in Tech Award is presented to an individual who has championed diversity & inclusion in the tech industries.
HONOREE: Erin Teague, Virtual Reality Product Lead at YouTube
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to inductees into the AAF Advertising Hall of Achievement or individuals who are seasoned industry veterans who pushed the boundaries and created positive change, setting the stage for generations to come to take the opportunities made by these icons, even further.
HONOREE: Johnson Publishing Company
HONOREE: Carol H. Williams, president, CEO and chief creative officer at Carol H. Williams Advertising
ADCOLOR|ONE CLUB CREATIVE AWARD
The One Club|ADCOLOR Creative Award is presented to a creative professional of multicultural background who has demonstrated noteworthy talent and achievement within the media, creative, digital and traditional advertising disciplines. These recipients are chosen by The One Club Board of Directors.
HONOREE: Max Stinson, creative director at Wieden+Kennedy
HONOREE: Wells Davis, Chief Strategy Officer, managing partner at David & Goliath
THE AD OF THE YEAR AWARD
The ADCOLOR Ad of the Year Award is given to a campaign or single execution that pushes boundaries, promotes conversation and highlights the lives of multicultural, LGBT and/or other under-represented Americans in the mass media.
WINNER: The Atlantic / Wieden+Kennedy, New York / “Typecast”
CHANGE AGENT AWARD
The ADCOLOR Change Agent Award is presented to an individual within a company who is using their talents and position to enhance the corporate culture and create a more inclusive environment. This can be part of or beyond the scope of that person’s primary role.
WINNER: Ronnie Dickerson Stewart, VP, group director- Talent Engagement & Inclusion, DigitasLBi, NA
INNOVATOR AWARD
The ADCOLOR Innovator Awards is presented to a remarkable professional who embodies progress and imagination. Someone who stands out among peers as a game changer and pioneer in their role, creating breakthrough developments and/or improvements, whether tangible or intangible.
WINNER: Morgan DeBaun, CEO, Blavity Inc.
ROCKSTAR AWARD
The ADCOLOR Rock Star Award is presented to an outstanding professional who, whether through their primary role or extracurricular activities, stands out as a leader and visionary in the industry.
WINNER: Kofi Amoo-Gottfried, head of Consumer Marketing, Facebook
RISING STAR AWARD
The ADCOLOR Rising Star Award is presented to an up-and-coming young gun with less than seven years of experience. The Rising Star honoree is someone who stands out among their peers as someone who is raising the bar of excellence as they move forward in their career.
WINNER: Jessica McGlory, associate director, Paid Social Lead, Engine Media
MOST VALUABLE PARTNERSHIP AWARD
The ADCOLOR MVP Award is presented to two or more companies that work together to provide exceptional and highly effective diversity solutions within their organizations and industries. They may be an agency, marketer, media company or diverse supplier with NMSDC or WBENC certification that team up for short or long-term projects that promote diversity and inclusion in the creative industries.
WINNER: Wieden+Kennedy & Courageous Conversation
