Mixed Company

2020 Part Two is working overtime, so we're talking about a few things. AdAge has still not held themselves accountable for their negative CMO "prediction" about Bozoma Saint John--50+ days and counting--shout out to Gary J. Nix. And, working from home has amplified the effects of toxic people and work cultures, so we're solution venting our way to a happier place. Dope Sh*t/ *Ulta's Muse Campaign hits the right Black beats. https://musebycl.io/fashion-beauty/beauty-blackness-takes-center-stage-ulta-beautys-muse-campaign * Cori Gordon is now one of the e-commerce giant's youngest Delivery Service Partners. https://afrotech.com/meet-the-28-year-old-who-migrated-to-the-u-s-and-became-amazons-youngest-delivery-service-partner/ Aint Sh*t: *Amy Cooper's Charges Dismissed after taking a racial bias course. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/16/nyregion/amy-cooper-charges-dismissed.html

It's been six months since brands and agencies made promises for real equality, and everyone who considers themselves an ally in the movement for Black lives posted black squares. Not much has changed or improved in the industry. We're no longer talking about what they need to do--we're talking about what we can do for ourselves. This week's Ain't Shit: The Hero Group x DDB lawsuit: https://reelchicago.com/article/minority-new-york-agency-sues-ddb-over-army-account/

More than 85% of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) are unemployed in integrated positions, despite their ability or willingness to work. Laurel Rossi, co-founder of Creative Spirit, the first global organization to create integrated employment for neurodiverse individuals, joined us to talk about their mission. Dope Shit/ Aint Shit - https://www.amazon.com/Small-Axe-Season-1/dp/B08J4HRR4P - Small Axe Season 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0rfCYy9jbI- You Love Me Beats By Dre - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_pru8U2RmM- The Whole Work from Home Thing Apple - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPq23RWpgPM - Match Made in Hell Match.com - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSEivPL1rbY - The Punishment Signal City of Mumbai Creative Spirit - https://www.creativespirit-us.org/ - https://twitter.com/hiredifferent - https://www.linkedin.com/company/creative-spirit-us/

On August 3rd, we had a conversation with Nathan Young and Bennett D. Bennett, founders of 600 & Rising, to address concerns from its Black signatories. It is an insightful discussion that should be listened to through the lens of *Community Accountability. Since the episode was recorded Nathan Young resigned from the organization and they're in the process of restructuring. *Community accountability is a community-based strategy to address issues within our communities, that may be caused by its members. Community accountability is a process in which a community works together to do the following things : *Create and affirm VALUES AND PRACTICES that resist abuse and oppression and encourage safety, support, and accountability *Provide SAFETY AND SUPPORT to community members who are negatively affected that RESPECTS THEIR SELF-DETERMINATION *Develop sustainable strategies to ADDRESS COMMUNITY MEMBERS’ ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR, creating a process for them to account for their actions and transform their behavior. *Co

There's been an uptick in critiques about what the advertising industry is doing to address its lack of diversity and inclusion, and the fostering of inequitable spaces. But without solutions, these critiques come off as tone-deaf and problematic. We discuss our format of Solution Venting and why it's essential to the industry's evolution. We also discuss looming bans on diversity trainings by y'all's president and his friends.

There are a lot of people who are focused on the future of creatives of color right now in media. The emphasis is on reskilling and upskilling for the jobs that are available now--not tomorrow. Cinema Director/ DP and Media Specialist Stephen Small-Warner joined us to talk about we should be focused on in media and culture to thrive in the near future.

In the midst of a slew of empty #BlackLivesMatter statements from brands, it's time to take a critical look at the work that is being done in the name of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Someone has to answer for the lack of progress in agencies.

Four years ago, we recorded an episode in the midst of the Ferguson uprising. Minimal outward support was given to Black employees and from brands then. This time, as America lives through an unrest, there's an outpouring. We're unpacking how corporations need to show up for Black lives.

For 55 years the International ANDY awards have been known as the most sought-after awards for creative excellence in advertising. This Friday they're reviving their original category, The Pop Choice Award, and giving the power to the creative community to decide. The Andy Awards' Assoc. Director Ariel Blakeman joins us to give us the details. Vote 4/24 on Instagram Stories @AndyAwards

We closed out Black History Month with a live recording from Mindshare that was produced by their Black ERG, The Collective. We chatted about everything from allyship to reaching the C-suite. And as always, we kept it extremely real.

Walter T. Geer III is a digital advertising vet who has been using his platform to sound the alarm on issues that are often overlooked--ageism in advertising and Black health disparities. Press play to hear why and how he won't stop.

We've been on lockdown nationally as an industry for almost a month and the end of working from home is nowhere in site. We hopped on IG live with the homies to discuss the work and new norms emerging from this crisis.

The coronavirus is causing a pandemic panic. A new normal is being established that is shifting how we work. And in unprecedented times, the future is often unforeseeable, innovation is inevitable and leadership is crucial. This episode is a strategic stream of consciousness.

Uniworld Group is one of the few ad agencies that can say it's for the culture--and back it up. Its CEO and Chairwoman, Monique L. Nelson, sat down with us to discuss the agency's legacy and how she secured the table and the seat at the head of it.

During Super Bowl LIV, the NFL will release a spot to spotlight the work their Player's Coalition is doing to shine a light on police brutality. Exactly what Colin Kaepernick was doing. He is still unemployed. The NFL is still not acknowledging their missteps or his contributions. We're talking about it.

The most successful people in the world, from Oprah to Jay-Z, have coaches. So, why not us? Shameka and Julius, from The Only One There, join us to discuss their approach to executive coaching and why everyone trying to win should invest in a coach. www.theonlyonethere.com

After 4 DOPE seasons our sister, friend and partner in conversation, Karinna Schultz announces she is stepping away from the show to pursue new endeavors. Listen in as she sends her love and farewell. Be sure to check out her latest project Eyes.Lips.Face with iLL Wayno & Elf Cosmetics https://www.elfcosmetics.com/eyeslipsface/

Kai recaps some of this year's biggest industry topics with the help of our friends of the show, Mara Lecocq & Bennett D. Bennett. They touch on all the things from Russia, to #metoo aftermath, to life on the other side of their career breaks in 2018.

Shante Bacon, the founder and CEO of the acclaimed ONE/35 Agency, is not new to making things happen for real and for the culture. She sat down with Kai to talk about her move from the music biz to marketing and what people need to know for D&I initiatives to work.

Karinna is West Coast repping these days and sat down with the founders of the Industry Collective--Cheryl Faux and Tiona Langley--to talk about the inclusive space they're creating for people of color in creative industries in L.A. It's dope shit.