How do you control your own story?
UK Black History Month falls in October each year, a month of shining a light on the stories and histories of Black people across the UK and working together to improve the future. As far as representation in our industry goes, it's clear to see it's been climbing over the past few years, but there's still plenty of work to be done. Explore our resources below to hear stories from leading Black voices in media, marketing and adtech, and our own team, as we explore everyone's responsibility to improve representation and build a better future for all.
Reclaiming Our Narratives: Industry Conversations
For 2024, dive into some incredible commentary from shining stars across the industry, as we investigate lasting legacy, how to celebrate your heritage at work, the state of the industry and what single improvement would make the most impactful change.
Hear from all these voices:
- Axel Campbell, esbconnect
- Nick Fettiplace, Jellyfish
- Chenai Madziwa - Jellyfish
- Eb Adeyeri - Jellyfish
- Mayowa P, GumGum
- Evelyn Oluwole - WeTransfer
- Dino Myers, Barbershop & Brixton Finishing school
- Jay Richards - Imagen Insights
- Chris Kenna - Generation Black TV
- Adele Bridgeman - Responsible Resourcing Agency
- Annika Allen - All 3 Media
- Chloe Davies - It Takes A Village
- Jordan Jarrett-Bryan - Channel 4
- Michael Balogun - Realiz
- Tyrone Stewart - New Digital Age
- Nadine Leighton - Bright Software Group
Watch our series Reclamation Conversations
WHAT'S 1 EFFECTIVE THING TO ACHIEVE BETTER REPRESENTATION IN THE INDUSTRY?
The Digital Voice™'s Marketing & Social Director Camealia Xavier-Chihota teamed up with The Media Leader to round up leading and unrepresented industry voices, to answer one pressing question –– what single action can create the most effective change to representation in the adtech and media industry? Hear from the likes of Channel 4's Jordan Jarrett-Bryan, It Takes A Village Founder and CEO Chloë Davies, Onetag's Rachel Uyinmwen, head of HR UK and US, and Annika Allen Gray, head of diversity, equity and inclusion at All3Media.
The Library
From Tech Excellence by incredible Black innovators throughout history to personal journeys and podcasts with industry leaders, dive into our content library for years of celebrating Black history and progress.
Reach out, lean in...
At The Digital Voice™, we’re big on leaning into the communities that are there to support you. Whether it be reaching out to colleagues for mentorship support or looking to external communities that are there to inspire, support and educate.
Working remotely, it’s important to tap into the networks around you. These communities are here to help you thrive and succeed, so we’re excited to give a special shoutout to just a few of our favourites.
All In: The 2023 Census
An Inclusion & Representation Report led by the Advertising Association, the IPA, and ISBA
All In is the industry’s initiative to improve inclusion and representation within UK advertising, created by the Advertising Association, the IPA, and ISBA. First launched in 2021, the All In Census is UK advertising’s only industry-wide survey of its kind, developed with Kantar.
Findings from the 2023 All In Census includes Ethnic Representation, finding key stats such as:
- Representation of ethnic minorities amongst All In respondents exceeded that of the UK working population; 18% of respondents were from a minority ethnic background, of those 4% were Black and 8% Asian.
- Three in ten Black people stated they were likely to leave the industry due to a lack of inclusion and/or discrimination.
- One in ten people from an ethnic minority had personally experienced racial discrimination at their current company.
As well as representation for Gender, Disability, Social Mobility, Sexual Orientation, Age, Mental Health, Menopause, Hybrid Working and Retention.
To find out more, visit Advertising All In:
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT OUR TEAM CULTURE?
Learn all about our award-winning team and the companies and organisations we support and celebrate on our culture page!
