Mixed Company

We're back after our much-needed hiatus. Still candidly talking about what needs to be done to make creative industries more diverse, more equitable, and more inclusive--but with a new flow. Hit play as we chop it up from our vantage as leaders about everything from DEI backlash to Netflix.

Mixed Company Podcast was started in 2016 to speak the unfiltered truth of mid-level professionals to those in power. For over 100 podcasts, Kai, Karinna, and Simeon covered topics that advocated for people who have been historically othered because of their identities. Now, as they’ve in advanced stages in their careers, they’re handing the mics to the next generation of creative leaders to do the same. In this final-ish, episode, Isiah Thompson helps usher in a new era for the people’s podcast and takes the reins. Email askmixedcompany@gmail.com for advice or to bring a topic to the people.

We're back with a mid-late summer episode. Humans are still acting up and we still need to talk about solutions that will get us to a place where diversity, equity, and inclusion are par for the course. Is working from the trap? Need solutions? Email us your questions and comments at askmixedcompany@gmail.com

We're bizaaack. We're in a season of "Nevermind, I'm good". Historically excluded talent are making choices about their careers that are setting precedents for retention that can't be ignored. We're catching up and talking about Nikole Hannah-Jones, Sha'carri Richardson, Zoe Scaman, Juvenile, Mannie Fresh, and more. Pull up.

Defund to Refund is an initiative founded by Huge to help Americans rethink public safety. Through a story-based platform that illustrates the human cost of over-policing, they're on a mission to redirect resources to build safer, healthier communities. We spoke to few members of the Defund to Refund team: Fuming Cao, Justin Anderson-Weber, Brandon Coleman & Deadra Rahaman. www.defund2refund.org

Hate against Asian American Pacific Islander communities has risen during the COVID-19 pandemic. The best strategy to #StopAsianHate is to arm everyone with the right information to spark empathy and action. Strategy Director Stephanie Rickards joins us to discuss her ongoing research to combat Asian stereotypes in the media.

Influencer Marketing is a Billion Dollar business making careers for content creators & cultural voices. Now, more than ever, representation and education in this area amongst brand leaders & talent can be the difference between getting played or getting paid. Tiffany Hardin, founder of Gild Creative Group, is making sure that the partnerships between influencers and brands are equitable and culturally impactful with her consultancy. We ended Black History Month learning more about her unique approach to prioritizing the well-being of culture through influencer marketing.

A candid conversation with ADCOLOR's Marc Strachan, Tiffany R. Warren, and Droga5's Tiffany Edwards.

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.