We continue to see the controversy of what happened at a Starbucks in Philadelphia play out, and the CEO will meet with the two men who were arrested. Here is this great piece from The Root that speaks to one of the themes that gained traction on social, why more voices need to speak up. Starbucks is now taking action but it seemed slow to respond, at least if you were following on social, and the first statement did not help. Here is a good piece on how it’s been managed. Most importantly, this from Melissa DePino who took the original video. Her closing is key: “People keep asking me what I hope will happen now, and I do have something to say about that. I hope that many more of us will say something when we see something, educate ourselves and join in an honest — even if it’s painful or uncomfortable — conversation about race, a conversation that needs to happen and is long overdue.” UPDATE: Starbucks announced that it is closing 8,000 U.S. stores temporarily on May 29 for racial-bias training.
Here is this from last year on why cultural perspective, including black twitter, is important. So on that note, this weekend Coachella became Baychella. Beyoncé played a two hour set which from what I’ve seen was incredible and a celebration of black culture. The reviews say it all, read New York Times and Rolling Stone. She became the first black woman to headline the event and she also announced $100,000 scholarship fund to black colleges. Here is one tweet that speaks to why we push back when we hear that there is no diverse talent. This weekend Cardi B also performed at Coachella and following her newest release is now “just the fifth female hip-hop musician to sore a No. 1 album.”
Yesterday the Pulitzer prize winners were announced and Kendrik Lamar won for music and all I could think of was the GRAMMYs…and I wasn’t the only one. In addition, both the New York Times and The New Yorker were recognized for their coverage of the #MeToo Movement.
Morgan Stanley announced the second cohort of the its Multicultural Innovation Lab. Here is Carla Harris speaking about investing in diversity.
Other news I am following, The Collage Group released this report titled “The Big Shift: Multicultural Consumers Had a Strong Positive Impact on Most Industries over the Past Decade;” Nike’s diversity lead departs during review of corporate culture, Arianna Huffington talked about everyone needing to speak about diversity. Campaign US announced Campaign I&C Top 20 which “honors the brands and creative teams behind a new wave of advertising that reflects the richness and diversity of 21st century America.” Here is the site to nominate your ad.
Yesterday was the Boston Marathon and I am now a Desiree Linden fan, Not only because she is the first American woman to win the Boston Marathon since 1985 or because she is Latina. It is because she won after slowing down to wait for another American because she did not think she (Landen) would finish. A selfless act that speaks to leadership and teamwork.
Today is the first day of Hispanicize, follow online with the hashtag #Hispz18.
Congratulations to Shuronda Robinson for the 23rd anniversary of her agency Adisa Communications. Read her post here reflecting on her journey.
ICYMI Heinz promoted its mayo-ketchup sauce, causing a twitter debate. I tasted it many years ago during a trip to Venezuela. I don’t like mayo so not my thing but I loved Goya’s response.
Photo by Autumn Goodman on Unsplash
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