Firstly, let me start by saying Happy Black History month!

Let's get real and quick, the advertising industry has a major problem with the lack of black representation. Before I get into this post, I want to make it clear there is not a lack of black talent, the industry has not given this issue enough energy to solve.

I was somewhat unsure about writing this blog post for Black History Month, especially being the only black person within a start-up. But I realised that I wanted to have my voice and opinion heard on the lack of diversity in advertising.

According to the Ad Association's recent All-In census, 'black talent makes up 3% of the industry workforce, and at a C-suite level just 1% is composed of black talent'. Do we need another report to tell us there's a major problem? If you open your eyes, all you need to do is to look around Adland and you will notice the lack of black people.

I can remember attending my first industry event and instantly noticing there were only a handful of coloured people in the room. I had a conversation that evening with the Founder who was a POC, and asked them, 'where are all the coloured people? We're in London (one of the most diverse cities) and somehow the room is filled with mostly white people.' They responded, 'I know we need to get better at this and quick'. This conversation happened over 5 years ago and somehow this is still an issue.

I understand now more than ever that Adland knows how to talk a great talk: we love to arrange conferences, get the best speakers & somehow parade around for the day that we're all on the same page about fixing the diversity problem. But it has become more of a box-ticking exercise, and often this important issue gets placed on the back burner in favour of pressing client needs. We need the same energy you put into winning new clients and creating viral social moments with your approach to making a real impact and recruiting more diverse talent at all levels - not just entry-level roles.

Fight for more diverse talent like you're pitching for a big client or don't bother.

It was my dream to work in advertising ever since I found out it was even a career option. I didn't have any family or friends who worked in the creative industry, so I worked hard to learn and find a way to get in. I'll be honest, it was not an easy journey! I had countless interviews at top media agencies and had always received that dreaded reply 'unfortunately on this occasion you were not successful', or 'you were so close but we've decided to go with another candidate'. I've heard that too many times.

What frustrated me the most was, Adland was saying all the right things about hiring more diverse talent and then, it didn't hire us? But it's not all doom and gloom, I finally got my big break into the advertising world, and it turned out to be my dream job at Good-Loop.

I do sometimes look back and wonder how many young talented black people give up because of all the rejections...

The reality of my experience is that I battled with my friends and family having to prove that I made the right decision to study Advertising, and then I faced 4 years of trying to get my foot in the door. There were certainly moments where I wanted to give up.

What kept me going were the few black leaders in advertising talking about diversity in the industry which inspired me to keep fighting. So, I want to shout them out, your visibility and courage kept me going!

Derek Walker (Founder of Brown and Browner agency)

Derek Walker is one of my favourite people who is not afraid to call out the ad industry for its lack of diversity, specifically black professionals. If you don't follow him on socials then get following.

Walker started a regular post to shine a spotlight on talented black professionals. As a young black person in the ad industry, it's great to discover people that looked like me doing amazing things in advertising. I love Derek's brutal honesty about diversity and not trying to sugarcoat the issue, often in Adland we like to polish issues:

Recently Derek called out LinkedIn along with Walter Geer for removing posts centred on diversity and anti-racism from the platform without warning.

Derek, thank you for fighting the fight - you inspired me to keep pursuing my dream to work in advertising and be my authentic self.

Olivia Crooks (Founder of Madland Hack and Senior Client Service Manager @ Spotify)

Olivia first started a Facebook group to support BAME talent to navigate the advertising industry. This has now evolved into virtual events where 60 lucky people can ask Spotifyers anything in a safe environment.

I was fortunate to attend a Madland Hack event back in June, which was such an incredible opportunity. You can ask questions about what job roles are available, the experience required and I even asked a senior manager about the state of diversity in advertising. I didn't even know a career in advertising was a possibility until I was 18 years old and I wish I had the opportunity to ask all the questions in my head. I didn't know anyone who worked in advertising, so getting advice was never an option.

I would encourage anyone to sign up for these incredible events, picking the brains of some of the most talented people at Spotify, I repeat at SPOTIFY! Thanks to the amazing Olivia Crooks for organising these events, I loved attending and it has opened my mind to future career options!

Trevor Robinson (Creative Director and Founder of Quiet Storm)

Quiet Storm advertising agency has been on my radar for a while. Trevor started an initiative called 'create not hate', which aims to see marginalised young people across the capital being coached and mentored by experts from the creative industries.

Trevor has been vocal about the diversity issues in advertising for a long time and in Marketing Society, he had this to say:

Trevor's commitment to giving back and helping young people from underrepresented groups is needed more in the media world! His story is so relatable to many young black people who often are not exposed to the world of advertising and its possibilities.

Karen Blackett OBE (WPP Country Manager, GroupM UK CEO & Chancellor of University of Portsmouth)

Karen Blackett is someone who I one day aspire to be like, hands down, talk about breaking the glass ceiling and going for the top job. In an industry with such few black professionals Karen has paved the way for others and it's great to see someone who looks like me in the top role.

In a campaign article, Blackett spoke nothing but the truth by expressing how she's tired of being everyone's one black friend. Blackett has been a fierce advocate for diversity in the ad industry at the top level:

To have people who look like me in senior positions gives me the drive to not give up. Sometimes the imposter syndrome kicks in but having someone like Karen to look up to makes it more of a reality, than a dream. We are worthy and have a lot to offer, even if we are the minorities in a lot of meetings.

Shanice Mears (Co-Founder & Head of Talent at The Elephant Room)

The Elephant Room is an independent creative agency founded to address advertising's lack of diversity and inclusion.

Shanice has previously worked at GUAP magazine and was a board member for the Race Disparity Advisory Group with the cabinet office. I follow Shanice on LinkedIn and she has a real passion to be a voice and a relatable representation of what the industry can become.

Shanice recently called out Boohoo for its lack of diversity after sharing a picture of its new interns, which is shocking that they could not hire a single black person in a group of 20. I love how Shanice keeps it real and I must show appreciation to another Birmingham person!

I know that there are plenty more people who are advocating for more diversity in the advertising industry. I hope soon we can use Black History Month to celebrate all the talented black professionals and creative work produced during the year, and not have it overshadowed by the lack of diversity in advertising.

If any young black people are reading this and trying their hardest to get into the ad industry...

Please don't give up, this industry needs you more than you think.

Images sourced from individuals' LinkedIn Accounts: Olivia Crooks and Karen Blackett OBE.