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.

*Commit to ongoing development of all members of the community, and the community itself, to TRANSFORM THE CONDITIONS that reinforce oppression and marginalization.

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.