It’s Time To Do Better By Our Young Black Creatives

Madhive event at Cannes Lions 2023.

Coming Straight Outta Cannes, which some say was the most diverse year ever. But before I share some insights from Cannes70, I would like to share this. For those in the industry who know me, know I’m a pretty level headed guy. But today, I’m bothered. Why? You see, the hiring frenzy brought on by George Floyd’s death inspired a great deal of agencies to hire more young Black creatives. Fantastic right? Well, to a point.

Unfortunately, I’ve noticed a very disturbing trend. Many agencies seem not to have a long term plan to help these creatives bring “their whole selves to work.” So after 3-4 months of fending for themselves, no true guidance, lack of understanding of their culture, no loyal mentors they are then left to report to millennial creatives who seem not to know the difference between a Swiftie and the Beyhive. Consequently, in a few months they find themselves kicked to the curb with the cliche excuse “Sorry, it just didn’t work out.”

Understand this. This isn’t just about careers. These are young Black Lives. They are vulnerable. Negative experiences effect their self esteem which explains why after all this time we still do not have a viable pipeline despite decades of starts and stops.

So here’s my advice to all the CCOs, CDs, ACDs, Senior ADs/CWs, Recruiters and Human Resource Departments. Stop punishing young Black creatives because they couldn’t afford that darling creative school you often recruit from. They bring raw talent and life experiences that you don’t see everyday and what you said you are looking for. Give them at least 1 year to get their feet firmly planted. And if it doesn’t work, tell them straight up, with no run-around. That way they can understand and learn from time spent and how to be better next time.

Pardon the emotion. But I was once that kid that got faked out. Made to believe I didn’t get it. Yes, it happened to me. I didn’t like it then and damn sure don’t like it now.

If you need any advice or like to discuss please feel free to reach out. I say this to the industry I love. We can do better. So let’s do better.