diversity: unpacking the supply & demand
TRANSCRIPT
BlogHer
Diversity: Unpacking the supply & demandElisa Camahort Page, BlogHer Co-founder
@ElisaC
BlogHer 22
1. My Diversity Mantra
2. Provide the Supply
3. Make the Demand
4. Myths and Response
5. Metrics and Methodology
Agenda .
BlogHer
1. MY DIVERSITY MANTRA
3
Value Diversity
Prioritize Diversity
Ask for Help If You Need To
Source: “Notorious” via wikimedia commons
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We value diversity
4
•Representation = power
•We can’t ask for some representation and
ignore others
•Diversity of life experience brings diversity
of perspective brings a more interesting
creative conversation
Source: “Notorious” via wikimedia commons
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The data supports the theory
5Source: “Notorious” via wikimedia commons
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We prioritize diversity
6
•We don’t rely on good intentions or magic
•We establish metrics
•We are transparent
Source: “Notorious” via wikimedia commons
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We ask for help
7
•Outreach at every step
•Establish your outposts
•Put diverse people in positions of
power…committees, judging panels, etc.
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2. PROVIDE THE SUPPLY
8
• Put yourself out there, again and again
• Suggest other people: And especially,
don’t say “no” without providing alternate
BlogHer
3. BE THE DEMAND
9
• Let organizers know you want it
• Don’t give ‘em your money
• Respond to surveys, questionnaires, and
even PR pitches with your questions and
comments about it
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4. MYTHS AND RESPONSES
10
Myth: “I won’t sacrifice quality for diversity”
Response: No one is asking anyone to hire,
invite or otherwise promote UNQUALIFIED
people. We re suggesting you don’t know all
the QUALIFIED people.
Source: “Notorious” via wikimedia commons
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4. MYTHS AND RESPONSES
11
Myth: “Nobody diverse submitted”
Response:
Are you saying everyone speaking, judging,
selected did so via your formal submission
process?
Are you charging money? Then it is *your*
job to source and deliver quality
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4. MYTHS AND RESPONSES
12
Myth: “Everybody diverse said ‘no’”
Response:
See above
But. Also. Don’t be that person who says “no”
without giving them another option
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4. MYTHS AND RESPONSES
13
Myth: “This just represents the real world in
xx space/industry.”
Response: And is that OK with you? Knowing
the data?
Knowing that women are half the workforce,
likely more than half your user base and
drive the vast majority of household
purchasing?
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4. MYTHS AND RESPONSES
14
Knowing that people of color are huge early
adopters and demographically rising in the
U.S.?
Knowing that the Boomers are a large and
more financially stable generation?
Knowing that the LGBT market is affluent
and brand-loyal to those who are loyal to
them?
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4. MYTHS AND RESPONSES
15
Who are these people who can afford to turn
away:
Users
Customers
Workers
Leaders
??
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4. MYTHS AND RESPONSES
16
Myth: “I don’t want to be a token”
Response:
Do you believe you are a token…unworthy of
taking that stage? No? Then go. Kick ass.
Shatter a bias or two while you’re at it.
BlogHer
5. METRICS & METHODOLOGY
17
•Yes, we keep track, starting with NEW
voices
•That eliminates tokenism right there…you
require yourself to create an ever-expanding
Rolodex of diverse contacts
•It goes beyond race…or gender, sexual
orientation, age, ideology, geography, income
level, marital/parental status…
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5. METRICS & METHODOLOGY
18
•How do you model to your community?
•How do you eradicate “pattern matching”?
•How do you convey opportunity and
inclusiveness?
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Images matter
BlogHer 20
Images Matter
BlogHer 21
Images Matter
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BECAUSE IT IS MY MANTRA
22
Value Diversity
Prioritize Diversity
Ask for Help If You Need To
Source: “Notorious” via wikimedia commons
