Digital and value first frameworks to develop work and generate revenue with cool ideas while doing social good or creating diversity impact through value.

Melvin Wilson: Founder/President of Solve Innovation Group
Aniesia Williams: Partner, Chief Client & Communications Officer
Solve Innovation Group

Conversations around race and discrimination in the workplace and in America have been a constant for generations. While most conversations are uncomfortable, they are necessary in moving toward true equity, diversity and inclusion. Being an ally to Black people and other marginalized groups should be an innate response to social injustice. But before you can do that, you have to have an uncomfortable conversation with yourself to fully understand where you stand as an ally. We’ll discuss what allyship looks like and how you can uncover personal truths that help lead to a better tomorrow.

Every white person in advertising must take action against the industries systemic racism, but where do you start? This workshop will provide actionable ideas on how to hold your agency accountable from within, and be a pebble in your leaderships shoe when it comes to supporting their Black employees.

How-to actionably stomp out systemic racism and create equity in the advertising industry by using the same tools when our clients ask us to raise numbers of the audience for their products.   GOAL:  Raising the percentage of Black bodies in leadership positions to 13% (reflective of the % of Black people in the US) by 2023.

Lead by: Reonna Johnson, VP / Director of Marketing & Business Development of Pledge for 13%, Carol Dunn, Executive Producer, Human Worldwide

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Workshop specifically for Black employees to identify how to maintain their mental and emotional wellbeing in the midst of the current (and historical) racial climate, and beyond.

Ricky Staub moderates a discussion with the founders of Episode Four and their employee Aaron St. Jean who was formerly incarcerated and is now a Production Coordinator at their company. Hear why they decided to hire Aaron, how they addressed making this happen in their own company and with their clients, and ultimately how Aaron how contributed to creating a transformative office culture.

‍Panel: Aaron St. Jean, Office/Production Coordinator, Mark Himmel, Founding Partner, Teddy Lynn, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer

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