American Marketing Association’s Post

Black History Month takes place during February in the United States and Canada. Here are three best practices for brands honoring the cultural heritage month: 1. Don't limit yourself to supporting during one month—Black history is limitless. 2. Use social data to create intentional campaigns that align with culture. 3. Avoid performative activism allegations through ongoing initiatives. Learn more in the full article:

Hey corporate America, this (and every) Juneteenth, don’t capitalize off Black culture. While some brands may be operating from a place of positive intent—to affirm the value and history of Black people—the impact was clearly the opposite. 🤐 It leaves one wondering: who was consulted, and how many of them were Black? No matter how many anti-racism statements are put out, CDOs appointed, and diversity and inclusion commitments made, we continue to see blunders by major brands. These instances prove that there is deeper, systemic work to be done and that many of these statements and D&I appointments are just for show. So, what can corporations do INSTEAD of capitalizing off Black culture for Juneteenth? Our President and COO Mareisha Winters Reese gives a few tips on The Inclusion Solution: https://lnkd.in/emmmkpaN #FreedomDay #Juneteenth #Liberation

As a proud council member of the Greeting Card Association, I’m thrilled to share my latest blog post in honour of Black History Month, where I explore the importance of this time for publishers and retailers. In the blog, I dive into why celebrating Black culture and heritage in the greeting card industry is more than just a moment in the calendar — it’s about representation, inclusivity, and creating products that resonate with diverse communities all year round. Whether you’re a card publisher, retailer, or a consumer, there’s so much we can do to make sure everyone feels seen and valued. Check out the full article here to read more about how we can move the dial on diversity in the industry https://lnkd.in/ewcPKYin Let’s continue to build a more inclusive world, one card at a time! #BlackHistoryMonth #DiversityInCards #RepresentationMatters #InclusiveBusiness

Today, July 25, is the International Day of Black Latin American and Caribbean Women. 😍 We celebrate all the influence that black women have in our society, especially in digital communities. Here at inCast, founded and run by a woman Vera Kopp , we realize this importance in our team, work environment, and in each influencer marketing campaign, always aiming at the following points: 📢 REPRESENTATION Being a content creator is much more than just posting. It's about making the community feel represented in the context of each person's life: 66% of black women followed influencers who reflected their own experiences and perspectives. And that's powerful! 🚀 AUTHENTIC ENGAGEMENT Black influencers often demonstrate higher engagement rates. A Nielsen study revealed that this power is 1.3 times more likely to generate engagement. Brands that collaborate with black influencers report not only an increase in reach, but also more authentic and loyal engagement, as they connect with the experiences of the vast majority of people in our country. ⭐ TRENDS AND FASHION Black culture is increasingly generating new ways of showing itself to the world through fashion and consumption habits. Much of this impact comes from black women on social media. ✅ INCLUSION Amplifying the voices of black women means giving a voice to all women. An Adobe study revealed that inclusive campaigns positively impact engagement and sales. ⭐ Women inspire others. Women inspire the world! Let us celebrate today, but with the premise that we still have a lot to do for fair and fraternal inclusion. inCast Group inCast | RainMakr - Creators Platform | FunCast

Deep Dives into Lessons from "Girl Gurl Grrrl" by Kenya Hunt: 1. Redefining Beauty Standards: Colorism; Hunt challenges the preference for lighter skin within Black communities and the beauty industry's lack of inclusivity. The book encourages embracing all shades of Black skin and features. 2. Black Features as Beautiful: Hunt encourages celebrating features often considered "unconventional" in Eurocentric standards, like full lips, broad noses, and natural hairstyles. 3. Beyond Hype: While celebrating Black excellence, Hunt critiques the idea of "Black Girl Magic" becoming a pressure to constantly perform strength. 4. Nuance and Vulnerability: "Girl Gurl Grrrl" argues for embracing vulnerability and the full spectrum of Black women's experiences, not just their successes. 5. Black Women's Voices:The book highlights the importance of Black women owning their narratives and refusing to be defined by stereotypes. 6. Sisterhood and Solidarity: Hunt emphasizes the power of building connections and supporting each other within the Black community, despite differences. 7. Motherhood's Challenges: Hunt explores the unique challenges Black mothers face, from societal pressures to navigating a racist world with their children. 8. Black Motherhood as Strength: The book celebrates the strength and resilience Black mothers display in raising their children. 9. Belonging Beyond Race: Hunt explores the complexities of belonging as a Black womanboth within Black communities and in a world that may not always feel welcoming. 10. Creating Your Own Space: The book emphasizes the importance of creating spaces where Black women feel seen, heard, and valued, even when mainstream society doesn't provide them.

We’re celebrating Black British women in business this month. Black women breaking glass ceilings, excelling in their industries, paving the way for others and making history. We do so at a heightened time where it is clear the achievements of Black women no matter their status or contributions will go unrecognised. A spotlight on Black British Women in Business: Varaidzo Tendai Moyo: CEO and Founder of Ruka Hair, a brand established to do hair like it has never been done before. In an interview with Forbes, Moyo said “curly hair extensions were lumped into categories which led to a lot of trial and error and wasted money”.  Their mission is to create hair and beauty solutions that truly work for Black people. As seen on TV and billboards, Ruka Hair has quickly built a brand that connects and resonates with its demographic. Consumers have bought into the story, the culture and the quality of hair stands-up in an extremely competitive market.  Sharmadean Reid MBE: CEO and Founder of Beautystack, a networked marketplace app for influential beauty professionals.  As a founder, writer and creative consultant, Reids career spans 20 years.  She has launched an innovation led salon, Wah Nails as well as the beauty tech start up BeautyStack and now a media company. Her work explores the role that communities and networks play in relationships between women, equity and power. Check out more exceptional Black women in business here: #blackwomeninbusiness #blackwomenleaders #blackhistory #internationalwomensmonth

Navigating the ever-evolving cultural landscape can be challenging—especially for brands looking to engage with the Black community authentically. In the first part of our CultureBeat series, Ashleigh Williams, explores how brands can build meaningful, lasting relationships with Black consumers. From addressing outdated stereotypes to fostering authentic, transparent conversations, learn the best practices for creating genuine connections and navigating cultural complexities. 🔍 Dive into the blog here: “Navigating the Nuances of Engagement with the Black Community Amid Shifting Cultural Dynamics” https://bit.ly/4gQ6pJD #MRX #MarketResearch #MulticulturalMarketing #BlackCommunity #DiversityEquityInclusion #ConsumerInsights #Insights

Best Practices for Black History Month Activations: Black History Month is fast approaching which means we will be seeing an influx of brands and organisations wanting to collaborate with Black creatives - which is amazing. BUT… We have to make sure that to authentically celebrate and honour Black culture, history, and achievements. Here are some practices to ensure these collaborations are meaningful, respectful, and mutually beneficial: 1️⃣ Authenticity Over Tokenism: When engaging with Black creatives, prioritise authentic storytelling and representation. Avoid using them solely for diversity purposes. Make sure that the creative's voice and vision are central to the project. 2️⃣ Compensate Fairly: It's crazy to say but yes - compensation is a sign of respect and recognition for the work and expertise that creatives bring to the table. Ensure that Black creatives are paid fairly and equitably for their contributions. Ensure you have a sufficient budget before contacting creators because of EXPOSURE ≠ COMPENSATION. 💸 3️⃣  Build Long-term Relationships: Consider how your collaboration can lead to longer-term partnerships, not just something to meet the quota for the month. Rather than one-off projects. Support and uplift Black creatives throughout the year, not just during Black History Month. 🫱🏼🫲🏾 4️⃣ Amplify Voices, Don’t Hijack Them: Give Black creatives the platform to share their own stories and perspectives. Amplify their voices and content, but don’t speak over them or take credit for their work. Let them tell their stories and experiences as authentically as possible 🎤 5️⃣ Respect Creative Freedom: Allow Black creatives the freedom to express their ideas and perspectives authentically. Trust their expertise and insights to guide the project. 🎨 6️⃣ Highlight Their Work: Use your platform to showcase the work of Black creatives, providing them with visibility and recognition. Share their social media handles, websites, and portfolios with your audience. By following these best practices, you will ensure that all your collaborations are not only respectful and impactful but also contribute to a more inclusive and supportive creative industry. LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER TIPS ⬇️ #BlackHistoryMonth #SupportBlackCreatives #DiversityAndInclusion #AuthenticStorytelling #CreativeCollaboration #FairCompensation #RepresentationMatters #RespectAndRecognition #EquityInCreativeIndustry

There are several choices you could make today as a social media manager. You could choose to assume how Black people in your audience might like to see your brand recognize #Juneteenth. You could quietly observe how other similar brands have decided to acknowledge this important annual holiday. You could take a queue from them, and hope it strikes the right chord. Or, You could ask Black communities within your organization or Black customer ERGs how they would ideally like to see the holiday recognized. How they envision your brand could do justice to such a monumental marker of freedom for people of color in American history. You could ask fellow Black employees if they’d be willing to share what Juneteenth means to them, and historically how they have observed it. How their family first told them the story of how the holiday came about. You could assume, or you could open up a conversation with the community to whom this holiday is most meaningful, and KNOW. A very happy and reflective Juneteenth to all, but especially to those who continue to honor and celebrate Black freedom. #FreedomDay #socialmedia #TellBlackStories #UpliftBlackVoices