Top 5 diversity, equity and inclusion efforts to know about right now

Ad Age's Top 5 DE&I series takes a look at the recent campaigns, entertainment and programs through a solutions lens. Each month, we highlight campaigns and brand initiatives that get DE&I representation right. See all of the latest creativity Top 5 here. This month’s Top 5 features recent campaigns centering on a range of topics such as women’s rights, accessibility in tech and diversity in music. 5. ERA Coalition On Nov. 4, the Equal Rights Amendment Coalition (ERA) released a satirical video called “Women Corp." Made in partnership with Ogilvy, BCW and GroupM, the creative stars “Stranger Things” actress Gabriella Pizzolo, who makes the point that corporations have more rights than women. “The Supreme Court has expanded rights for corporations while taking away fundamental rights for women and people who can become pregnant,” said ERA Coalition President and CEO Zakiya Thomas. “At the same time, our politics are so polarized that members of Congress refuse to acknowledge that women are equal to men and should have equal protections under the law. This is ridiculous and embarrassing.” Welcome to #WomanCorp the only woman in America the government will fight to protect. That will change if we demand the #ERANow pic.twitter.com/VLgsjKjiIR— Woman Corp (@womancorp) November 16, 2022 4. Michelob Ultra Michelob Ultra’s Run Fund is a multiyear fund giving female and nonbinary runners the chance to compete in the 2023 TCS NYC Marathon. It will also provide training programs and resources for runners making their marathon debut, including an initiative called “Train Like a Pro Marathon Runner” in which athletes will receive weekly training tips developed by Michelob Ultra-staffed coaches. Through this campaign, which launched in early November, the Anheuser-Busch InBev brand plans to spotlight stories of gender equality advocates, such as Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to officially complete the Boston Marathon in 1967. Michelob Ultra created a campaign video about Switzer in partnership with agency Gut Los Angeles, which aired during this year’s marathon. 3. YouTube In 2020, YouTube launched the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund, designed to directly support Black creators and artists on the platform. The following year, YouTube spotlighted a group of 133 creators and artists; 2023 marks the third year of the YouTube Black Creators Class. On Nov. 15, the platform announced its new class of 29 grantees from across the U.S. with content centering around topics such as beauty, relationships, finance, fitness and gaming. The platform also introduced its #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund Class of 2023, a group of 21 artists and 17 songwriters and producers including Asake, Coco Jones and Hitkidd. The artists—from the U.S., U.K., Australia, Canada, Brazil, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa—are featured on a curated campaign playlist. 2. Apple On Nov. 30, Apple released an uplifting spot, “The Greatest,” highlighting tech and accessibility. The in-house ad follows seven individuals with disabilities as they utilize Apple accessibility features, such as image describing, Magnifier and Siri. Apple debuted the spot just days before the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Dec. 3. The tech company has a website showcasing its accessibility features. 1. Macy’s On Nov. 7, Macy’s announced a funding program to advance entrepreneurial growth among diverse-owned businesses, as part of its Mission Every One commitment to underrepresented companies, which launched this March. In addition to its financing options, the program—called S.P.U.R. Pathways—will also offer educational tools. The retailer pledges to invest $30 million in S.P.U.R. Pathways over the next five years. The effort comes after Macy’s 15% pledge to put more Black-owned brands in its stores. “With Macy’s, Inc., we have a unique opportunity to offer underrepresented businesses the resources to grow in a more equitable environment,” said Raymond Guthrie, chief investment officer and head of capital deployment of Momentus Capital, in a statement. “Access to capital and expertise fuels mutual growth and fosters wealth creation and entrepreneurship within historically underfunded communities.” Since signing the @15percentpledge, we increased our Black-owned brands by 5x, including the work of Andrea Ballo (Coco Michele Illustrations) shown here. Through Mission Every One, we commit to creating a brighter future with bold representation for all. pic.twitter.com/LEDmVR3DsR— Macy's (@Macys) June 19, 2022

Top 5 diversity, equity and inclusion efforts to know about right now

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