2045 Studio’s Post

On September 12, we commemorated 2045 Studio's first anniversary with our inaugural annual summit. The day's theme was Addressing the Inclusion Gap, which is the discrepancy between the mission of DEI teams and initiatives and the actual lived experiences of a company's employees. We hosted leaders from advertising, healthcare, investing, and more — including Stephanie Mehta (CEO and Chief Content Officer, Mansueto Ventures), Darla Price (she / her / hers) (President, Ogilvy New York), Singleton Beato (Global Chief Diversity and Engagement Officer, McCann Worldgroup), Judy Jackson (Founder, JLC Ventures), James Jean (Senior Director, North American Operations, Pfizer),  and Ken Chenault Jr. (Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Benchstrength) — for a day of discussions on developing inclusive leaders, fostering healthier work cultures, and addressing the Inclusion Gap. As stated by 2045 Founder and CEO, Porter Braswell, as the event opened: "For DEI to actually thrive, it has to be distributed throughout a company. It can't just be in isolation ... companies have to figure out how to transition into a world where all people managers are equipped to really push through the pillars of diversity, equity, and inclusion." By 2045, people of color will make up most of the U.S. population. As we approach that year, it's imperative for companies that want to remain relevant to build teams that reflect the country's population and coach managers to be well-prepared to manage increasingly diverse teams. Our mission is to help all people managers become more inclusive. We do this through one-on-one executive inclusive coaching led by curated professional coaches of color, supportive community groups, professional development workshops, and enriching events. We hope you'll join us in the journey to create a more inclusive future, whether by partnering with us or simply supporting our mission. Please reach out to us at membership@2045studio.com to learn more.

At our inaugural annual summit last month, "Addressing the Inclusion Gap," we invited leaders from the worlds of advertising, healthcare, investing, and more to share their perspectives on what it takes to create the inclusive cultures that organizations will need to foster in order to be successful in a rapidly changing world. In his latest Fast Company article, 2045 Studio CEO Porter Braswell reflects on the summit and explores our speakers' key takeaways. Read the full article below to get access to exclusive insights from speakers at Mansueto Ventures, Ogilvy, Pfizer, and other innovative companies, and apply for membership at www.2045studio.com for yourself or your employees. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/eGXnks5E

Recently, Franklin Templeton's Regina Curry, Chief Diversity Officer and Katrina Dudley, Senior Vice President, Public Market Investments, discussed effective inclusive strategies for organizational success. Some of their key takeaways for today's leaders: 1) Create inclusive spaces: Make sure that diverse voices are present at the table, and give them opportunities to participate in decision-making. 2) Practice active listening: Encourage a wide range of perspectives and make space for everyone's ideas to be truly heard and considered. 3) Foster mentorship & sponsorship: Create structured mentorship and sponsorship programs in order to support diverse employees and helping them advance their careers. 4) Make opportunities for skills-based advancement: Focus on identifying skill gaps and offer personalized development opportunities to train employees. 2045 Studio can help you create opportunities to develop your employees, provide spaces for community and sponsorship, and train inclusive leaders to light the way forward at your company. Visit us at www.2045studio.com to learn more and apply for corporate partnership.

Earlier this month, we hosted an event with Randstad and Fast Company on equity and wellness at work as part of the 2024 Fast Company Innovation Festival. After a kickoff from Keith Brown (Vice President, Head of Community Impact, Randstad North America), Michael Collins (Americas Head of DEI, Global DEI Lead Barclays Bank and Execution Services, Barclays) sat down with moderator Floss Aggrey (Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Randstad NA) to talk about the intersection of technology, culture, and current events in retaining diverse workforces. Attracting and recruiting a diverse workforce can be a difficult task, but it's vital for companies to foster inclusive workplaces that demonstrate care for employees so all members of an organization can bring their full selves to work. Three key takeaways from this event: Lean into changing demographics. Younger generations are redefining how we work, from office hours to boundaries between personal and professional life. Companies need to embrace these shifts instead of rejecting them in order to remain competitive. Recruitment is only the first step. It’s not just about recruiting diverse talent — it’s about being prepared to truly support and retain them once they’re in the door. Proactivity > reactivity. In 2020, as companies reacted to current events, many didn't set up the necessary infrastructure for sustained, lasting change. It's important to be future-thinking when putting DEI initiatives into place, and be intentional about setting realistic goals. To gain access to future events where you can receive insights into what it takes to develop inclusive workplaces, contact membership@2045studio.com or send us a message.

Earlier this month, we hosted an event in partnership with ISE-DA at the 2045 Clubhouse featuring designer Brandon Blackwood, Founder, Creative Director, and CEO of his namesake brand, and visual artist Tschabalala Self. During the course of the night, Self and Blackwood spoke with moderator Jenée-Daria Strand about cultural stewardship, entrepreneurship, creative relationships and strategies for supporting emerging talent. Two key takeaways from the night: 1) As your career progresses, support newcomers however you can. 2) Support isn’t always financial — information-sharing, advocacy, and amplification are powerful forms of assistance that can ignite someone's career or open new opportunities for them. 2045 Studio provides members with a space where they can feel supported and empowered to take the next step in their careers. Reach out to membership@2045studio.com to learn more about corporate partnerships as a way to invest in your diverse employees and encourage their growth.

“I am at a particular inflection point in my career and want to shake some things up. 2045 feels very right for me." — Lois Gregory, 2045 Member 2045 Studio provides rising talent with the coaching, community, and mentorship they need to take their careers to the next level and develop into capable, inclusive leaders. Through our comprehensive suite of development tools, we provide members with everything they need to feel comfortable in leadership positions and guide diverse teams to success. The benefits of inclusion in the workplace are clear — the most inclusive teams outperform average teams in decision-making and execution by 60% (Dimensional Insight). Reach out to membership@2045studio.com to learn how you can transform your employees into inclusive leaders with 2045.