Essence Communications Inc.’s Post

Many Black entrepreneurs may not have access to these resources or may not have the necessary connections or experience. Industry barriers: The film industry is notoriously difficult to break into, even for established professionals. Barriers to entry include networking, connections, and access to decision-makers. Stereotypes and biases: Unfortunately, there are still biases and stereotypes within the industry that can hinder the success of Black entrepreneurs. For example, some producers or investors may not take Black-led projects seriously or may be skeptical of their potential success. Fear of isolation: Starting a new venture can be isolating, especially if it's not supported by the broader industry. Some Black entrepreneurs may be hesitant to leave the relative safety of established companies or networks. However, there are signs of change: Increased representation: The rise of streaming platforms has created new opportunities for diverse storytelling and representation. Growing demand for diverse content: Audiences are increasingly demanding more diverse content, leading to a growing market for stories told by and about people of color. New talent emerging: A new generation of Black creatives is emerging, with fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.

Tyler Perry's decision to leave Hollywood? Creative control: By leaving Hollywood, Perry gained complete creative control over his projects, allowing him to tell stories that reflected the experiences and perspectives of Black people without interference from industry gatekeepers. Inclusivity: Perry wanted to create a space where Black talent could thrive and feel represented. He saw an opportunity to build a community where Black writers, directors, and actors could work together and support each other. Atlanta's film-friendly environment: Atlanta offers a more business-friendly environment, with lower production costs, tax incentives, and a growing pool of talented local crew members. This allowed Perry to produce high-quality content without breaking the bank. Access to diverse storytelling: Atlanta's diverse population and rich cultural heritage provided Perry with access to unique stories and perspectives that might be harder to find in Los Angeles. As for why other Black entrepreneur executives in the film industry haven't followed suit, there are several reasons: Lack of access to resources: Starting a studio or production company requires significant resources, including funding, equipment,and infrastructure. Many Black entrepreneurs may not have access to these resources

Many ponder the significance of Black inclusion in the UK - well, todays headlines answers the question. Where the colour of power remains a pressing issue, as those who wield influence get away with overt racism and hate. The pervasive challenges of gender and colourism intertwined disproportionately affecting black women and black communities more broadly in the UK. These dynamics manifest prominently in the workplace, evident in the persistent concrete ceilings and hateful verbal firing squad faced by many. A glance at the BAME spectrum reveals stark discrepancies in workforce metrics, particularly concerning outcomes for black individuals. As we approach Black Inclusion Week in May, themed "Empowered for Change: Building a Better Future Together," aimed at prompting introspection on both organizational and personal levels. Today's headline discourse highlights the need for bravery and accountability, as some chose silence in the face of reprehensible remarks directed at Diane Abbott, the first black female MP by Frank Hester. To those actively engaged in supporting, celebrating, and amplifying the voices of black individuals, We Salute you - Your dedication is commendable and crucial in fostering black equity and inclusion. UK Black Business Week Black On Board Ltd Black Equity Organisation Black Equity Organisation Black Talent Awards Black Talent Initiative The Black British Business Awards Black Women In HR - BWHR 10,000 Black Interns Black Women in Real Estate Sign up to some of the awesome events as part of Black Inclusion Week - Black people and Allies - We need EVERYONE on the CASE - https://lnkd.in/eCPegK-y Dropping my favourite BLACK poem here for anyone who is just "not in the mood today" https://lnkd.in/eMCan-Rf Samantha Ming Cherron Inko-Tariah MBE Cheryl A A. Dianne Greyson Diane Caddle Chinyama Okunuga Hannah Awonuga Funmi O. Dame Neslyn Watson-Druée, DBE Denise Myers Kareen Griffiths Adese O. Basirat Sadiq Foluke Akinlose MBE FRSA Funke Bayo-Awonaike, Chartered MCIPD Morenike Ajayi MBE MBA, FCPFA, Kemi Bolarin Rob Neil OBE Movell Dash (MAPM) Elliott Rae Tatenda H. Maureen Paul Rose Odudu Aggie Yemurai Mutuma FCIPD Paul Sesay Lord Simon Woolley Obi James 🇫🇮🇳🇬 Rasheed Ogunlaru

The responses to this are alarming but not surprising. Read the article.

What a powerful and timely piece👊🏾! Insightful and informative.

Great article by Yasmin Arrigo on the deprioritisation of #DEI in #ADland - please read and share! At Brixton Finishing School we've experienced this in the last 12 months, alongside many other #changemaking organisations, a #stealth defunding of commitments to #DEI leaving us with a budget deficit last year. We took this #crisis as an opportunity to reflect, reframe and recommit to our mission - to create fair, accessible industry access for all talents and to then support them to thrive, not survive when they arrive. Thank you to all who advocated for us - we really value and appreciate your efforts! #2024 is our year of serenity and we will not deviate from our mission - we will gracefully keep, keeping on, driving change. Talent is distrubuted equally but opportunities are not. To supercharge change long term commitment to impactful change making projects is needed. It’s vital that the industry leans in and support our (and other organisations) efforts. MEFA CEO, Naren Patel, decided to launch the Media For All [MEFA] awards when a recent survey indicated that businesses were experiencing “DEI fatigue” ; they were under so much pressure that diversity and inclusion were taking a back seat. #DEI departments have been disbanded at #tech companies (Source: WordinBlack.com) And by December 2023 open calls for divestment were heard - with Elon Musk declaring on X ‘DEI must Die’. Dear Industry, your busy day job is serving your clients and their consumers - our day job is supporting multiple communities with many intersectionalities to win at the world of work. So please, reach out to third party experts who can make authentic inclusion a reality for you - it’s not going to happen if it’s not a future proofed commitment. 

In this segment, Nkem Oghedo is talking about the Adá marketplace platform specifically. One thing I love about what she's sharing here is: Adá shifts power to its vendors by enabling them to set their own prices. If you're looking for Black History Month team-building programming for your team that puts the money and the power in the hands of Black entrepreneurs, check out Adá! Looking for other types of programs to support your team? Or want to do more than one? I'd love to chat!

August is recognized as Black Business Month. I'm sharing an article for which I took great joy writing. Please take a moment to read it and think about ways you can intentionally support a black-owned business. #smallbusiness #womeninbusiness #freelancewriter

Back in 2020, many of the more senior briefs we worked on specifically requested people of colour. Our advice then was that this would just be moving the few senior black/brown folk available between agencies. Your agency would be that little bit more diverse but it was a zero-sum game for the industry as a whole. More sustainable change would come from making Adland more open to a wider pool of talent and it is admirable that various schemes were developed to help improve diversity at the bottom of the pyramid. Four years is clearly too soon to see these cohorts in decision-making roles. However, It's disappointing that so many feel that any success seems not to have yet translated to significant opportunities for POCs to even make it to these more senior positions.

**New Blog Post** What Taylor Swift Can Teach Us About Estate Planning Regardless of your feelings about her music, her attendance at National Football League games, or anything else related to the popstar, it’s hard to argue that Taylor Swift isn’t a cultural phenomenon. In 2023, Taylor launched a multi-city tour that broke records for attendance, sales, merchandising, and gross revenue; the Federal Reserve credited her with boosting the country’s economy; and Time magazine named her Person of the Year. Often, blogs about celebrities focus on what went wrong, here, it’s about what went right. Keep reading here: https://lnkd.in/eR-mDkU