About the Initiative
We’ve designed a 4-point plan to increase the fashion industry’s transparency and accountability in regard to Black professional inclusion.
1.
Accountability
Industry Census:
Participating brands, companies, and organizations—within the Design, Sales/Merchandising, Media Outlet/Editorial, Public Relations/Marketing, Retail, and Talent Management/Representation sectors of the industry—will report data that elucidate the racial composition of teams at all strata of operation.
In conjunction with this elected disclosure, they will participate in immersive, hiring manager bias-mitigation training and sign a pledge of commitment to creating equitable inroads for Black talent via meritocratic hiring practices.
2.
Objectivity
Headhunting & Recruitment Practices Audit:
In an effort to curb the consistent denial of fair access to prime opportunities for Black fashion professionals, participating headhunting and recruitment firms and agencies will allow a comprehensive audit of their protocols and practices by a contracted third party.
In conjunction with this elected intervention, they will sign a pledge of commitment to creating equitable inroads for Black talent via meritocratic recruitment practices.
3.
Information
Annual Data Disclosure:
The data tabulated by the census—and a game-changing list of participating brands, companies, organizations, firms, and agencies—will be published annually granting informed visibility of the industry to the professional, consumer, and academic communities.
This annual report and the data it contains will make the benchmarking of progress possible via quantifiable metrics.
4.
Visibility
The Kelly List:
The Kelly Initiative will curate annually a selection of top-tier talent across an array of fashion fields (ranging broadly from apparel design and photography to makeup artistry and writing) granting these 50 Black professionals heightened visibility and access to colleague-networking throughout the broader industry.
In acceptance of Kelly List-acknowledgment, honorees will sign a pledge of commitment to creating equitable inroads for Black talent within their future professional endeavors.