Jamie B.’s Post

For Pride month, I'm going to talk a lot about what real diversity and inclusion look like. Buckle up sunshine; this is a no-holds-barred queer friendly page. Let's start off with shopping. My non-binary child just hates shopping for apparel. They generally shop in the men's department, but they get some really weird reactions if they try on clothes in the men's dressing room. They can trek all the way to the other side of the store to use the women's dressing room, which isn't any more comfortable for them and has the additional problem of leaving any rejected garments on the wrong side of the store for the staff to recover. Design stores with gender neutral dressing rooms. Most people prefer the improved privacy of these anyway. #Pride #Diversity #RetailDesign

🚨 In response to conservative pushback, Target is scaling back the in-store availability of its #PrideMonth Collection to about half of its 2,000 stores, though the LGBTQ-themed merchandise remains online. With over a decade of June Pride product sales, Target claims protests and employee intimidation influenced this decision. While they're adjusting to balance "celebration, inclusivity, and broad-based appeal," advocacy groups argue that this shift could alienate the #LGBTQ+ community and their allies. 🔍 Why does this matter to our industry? This highlights how social & political issues directly impact product distribution and supply chain dynamics. When retailers scale back in-store availability, demand patterns shift, affecting shipping routes and emphasizing online fulfillment. 📢 This is a clear reminder of how quickly a company can pivot based on public pressure. It's all about staying nimble and being prepared for changing strategies. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gZVvejZ9

Should Target Be Scaling Back Pride Month? Target is reducing the number of stores that will carry its LGBTQ-themed merchandise as well as limiting apparel sizes to adults for Pride Month in June following a boycott last year that negatively impacted results. About half of Target’s 2,000 stores will sell the Pride collection, according to Bloomberg, which first reported the news. Target said store distribution will be based on “historical sales performance.” The assortment will also be sold on Target’s website. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eZuY9XiE Neil Saunders "This is a very tricky situation for Target because, no matter what it does, it cannot satisfy everyone." Mark Ryski "Target made a reasonable adjustment to their LGBTQ-themed offerings based on market reaction, and is moving forward. There’s no way to please everyone. While some will feel like Target is abandoning their values and commitment to the LGBTQ community, others will say that Target has still gone too far in supporting the community. This is a slippery slope and the position Target is taking strikes a reasonable balance."

Everyone knows Levi’s makes jeans - but did you know they make history too? Don’t worry, it’s the right-side-of-history kind of history. In the 80's they vocally supported those affected by HIV/AIDS - at a time when it was particularly dangerous to be gay or even just supportive of the community. In the 90’s they were the first multinational apparel company to set ethical standards for their factories and licensees. You know like “don’t use child labour” and “pay workers”. Distressingly radical stuff at the time. They recognized same sex domestic partnerships before gay marriage was legal - and went to court to fight for marriage equality. Most recently - along with taking a public stand in Texas - they’ve aligned LOUDLY with Pride in Australia. Not only do they have a whole genderless collection but they do a ton of education on pronouns and how to use them. Why We Love Levi’s Pride What makes Levi’s different from the lamentable constant of rainbow capitalism we see in the lead up to Pride Month every year? Well, first and most importantly is that they’ve actually - you know - talked with some real live LGBTQIA+ folks. They’re also donating $100k to OurRight annually. What They Did So Right • They continue to back the community, not jump on it when it’s popular to do so. • They put their money where their mouth is. • They educate too - their site just isn’t about selling you jeans. Levi’s aren’t new to the Alphabet Mafia, they’ve been standing alongside them all this time. This is more than marketing, it’s solidarity and it is their Brand (yes with a capital B) https://lnkd.in/gPz-rFXw

Pride Month is days away, but this year there seems to be a strategic silence from many brands. While avoiding performative activism is a good thing, is this retreat a sign of progress or regression? 🤔 On the one hand, brands are wary of missteps after facing backlash for past Pride campaigns that rang inauthentic. This could suggest a growing focus on genuine LGBTQIA+ inclusion throughout the year, which would be a positive development. I am a bit too cynical to believe in this take, personally. Silence is its own form of message. Especially given the continual attack on trans rights, with anti-trans laws being passed across the country nearly daily. By withdrawing from Pride altogether, brands risk alienating LGBTQIA+ consumers and signaling a retreat from the hard-fought gains made in recent years. To me, this shows that for some companies, support of my community is only given when it is convenient. The key is to strike a balance. Brands can celebrate Pride authentically by amplifying LGBTQ+ voices and creating spaces for genuine connection, not just during Pride but all year round. 🌈 #PrideMonth #DEI #AuthenticMarketing

Rethinking modesty: A closer look at society's criticism of women's dress code. Growing up in an African household, modesty policing was woven into the fabric of our lives. It wasn't just our mothers, aunts, or older female relatives who enforced these rules; it seemed like an unspoken decree that echoed through our communities. The message was clear: what we wore wasn't just a matter of personal choice but a reflection of our family's honor and reputation. I can vividly recall the swift judgment and scrutiny that accompanied any outfit deemed too revealing. It wasn't simply about covering up; it was about shielding ourselves from the prying eyes of our male relatives. In their presence, we were handed wraps or shawls, as if our mere presence in anything less than modest attire would invite unwanted attention or worse, shame upon our families. The pervasive nature of modesty policing extended far beyond the confines of our homes. It seeped into the very core of societal beliefs, shaping perceptions and attitudes toward women's clothing choices.... read more https://lnkd.in/dBH_crfQ #modesty #women #society #men #dresscode #challengingnorms #stereotypes #fashionblog

Happy Juneteenth! We’re honored to recognize this important day in history as our US team has the day off to celebrate, gather with friends and family, reflect on the past, and look to the future. Today, we’re spotlighting Black- and LGBTQ+-owned fashion brand Brandon Blackwood New York and its founder, BRANDON BLACKWOOD ✨ Brandon Blackwood, neuroscience major turned fashion entrepreneur, started designing handbags in 2015. Brandon Blackwood New York went viral in 2020 with its End Systemic Racism (ESR) Tote in response to calls for social and civil rights justice, and the brand took off, growing from 30,000 to 300,000 Instagram followers essentially overnight. All proceeds from ESR Tote sales benefit the Brandon Blackwood Foundation, dedicated to empowering Black and POC creatives through education, philanthropy, and activism. “I felt completely uninspired during the Black Lives Matter movement, and it felt a little phony making pretty bags to sell, so [the ESR tote] was my answer to it. I wanted to find a way to do something creative while also giving back and fighting against oppression,” said Blackwell in a L'Office interview. The brand's influence and product range have continued to grow, with collaborations like Google, Saks Fifth Avenue x Michelle Obama, Saweetie x McDonald's, and retail partnerships with Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus Group and more, as well as a new affordable line, Studio by Brandon Blackwood. Click through to learn more about Brandon Blackwood New York’s recent creator marketing wins, like earning an impressive $28.4M EMV worldwide in 2023 — a 32% YoY increase. #Juneteenth #PrideMonth #InfluencerMarketing #BrandonBlackwood #EndSystemicRacism #CreatorMarketing

As Pride Month approaches, many brands are reconsidering their strategies. Recent trends show a shift towards more subtle celebrations, driven by rising backlash against “rainbow-washing” and increasing scrutiny over genuine support for LGBTQ+ communities. 📉 What’s Changing? • Consumer Sentiment: There’s growing consumer awareness and demand for authentic representation and support. • Risk of Backlash: Brands face criticism for superficial gestures that don’t translate into meaningful action. 🤔 What Can Brands Do? • Authenticity: Ensure that Pride campaigns are backed by real, year-round support for LGBTQ+ rights. • Internal Policies: Reflect the values you promote externally with inclusive workplace practices. • Long-Term Commitment: Build ongoing relationships with LGBTQ+ communities beyond June. #PrideMonth #BrandStrategy #LGBTQ #Authenticity #Marketing

[GIVE AWAY] We’re doing it again 🎉🙌🏾 This time we’re giveaway this very BLACK coffee mug and saucer (aka MEAN MUG) from Deon Libra. A Black, LGBTQ+, and Woman owned business. Owned by DEVIN MCGHEE KIRKLAND and BRIT MCGHEE KIRKLAND. DEON LIBRA is an adaptogenic stress care brand formulated to support the body’s natural ability to handle stress and activate lasting healthy skin. We believe skincare is most effective when we address the root cause of our skin concerns first—our stress. The goal is a stress-less lifestyle. Not a stress-free one. Our flex is an inside-and-out approach to stress management that doesn’t diminish but emphasizes the beauty that is Blackness. This is stress care by us, for y’all. https://lnkd.in/gTfWCAvy ENTRY /// Must be within the USA Must identify as Black/African American Must have a visible profile picture MUST attend our Juneteenth Digital Cookout event Digital Cookout | Juneteenth month 2024 June 15th @ 10 AM PST - LIVE https://lnkd.in/gPRSDhWQ ***ADDITIONAL ENTRIES: share the event, use the hashtag, and tag us in the REPOST We will do a random drawing of names. We will announce the Winner the week of the 24th. Item will be shipped the following weeks (July) Good luck! ✊🏾🖤💙 #blacklinkedin |#digitalcookout #juneteenth #blackprofessionals #blackcommunity #blackjoy #blackpride #blackatwork #blacklinkedingiveaway