Four organizations in the D.C. communications community – AAF DC, AMADC, PRSA NCC and WWPR – issued statements about the killings of Black Americans and racism that’s entrenched in our society.  Their statements follow:

AAF DC stands with the millions of Americans across our country who are rightfully outraged by the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and so many others; the systemic and historic racism entrenched in our society, and the lack of action to protect the right to protest. Government leaders’ lack of action and calls for violence against those demanding justice for these deaths only serves to add to our pain and outrage.

Silence is compliance. As advertising and communications leaders — we deeply understand the importance of speaking up and the real power of using a message as a platform. So, though it has been said, and chanted, and shouted — we say it again: Black Lives Matter. 

We cannot remain quiet as Black Americans continue to suffer injustice and violence at the hands of fellow citizens, leaders and law enforcement. This defining moment in our history demands that we all do our part to create meaningful change. 

Condemnation and outrage aren’t enough. If you’re looking for ways to be an effective ally, here are suggestions for what we can all do, right now: 

• Give your time and support. 
• Advocate for, hire and promote Black talent. 
• Fund and support black businesses. 
• Engage with media created by people of color. 

Our team has compiled a list of resources to help individuals and companies take immediate action — you can find them here. If you know of other efforts, resources or voices that we can help amplify, please send them to us so we can share with the greater community. 

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Dear DC Marketer

Over the past few days, we’ve observed events around the world and in our community with concern. It is clear that more needs to be done to address unequal justice and discrimination in our country.  One thing is for sure – silence is not the answer. The American Marketing Association strives to be the most relevant force and voice, shaping the field of marketing. It is clear that our diversity is what makes AMADC great, so when injustice rattles our members and community we must act!

As next-generation marketers, we implore each one of you to take a moment to further educate yourselves and examine what you can do to address these matters as professionals.  In the coming days, the AMADC Board will announce ways that we can best support our community and each other during this time. In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Our goal is to create a beloved community and this will require a qualitative change in our souls as well as a quantitative change in our lives.”

We are holding ourselves accountable to this support and we are open to positive suggestions of ways to further serve our members and community as a whole.

Board of Directors
American Marketing Association – Washington, DC

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To our WWPR Community:

As communicators, we use our voice every day to enact change, inspire a community, persuade audiences and storytell with purpose. Great communicators know when to speak and when to listen.

For many of us, now is the time to listen. For others, especially our Black female communicators, it’s a time to speak out. We encourage our entire community to lean on one another during this time, and to take this opportunity to listen, learn, and educate each other about these experiences – experiences that matter.

As our country leaps past its breaking point, WWPR stands firm in its support of the Black women in and beyond our network and commits to:

• Instituting a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Board Chairperson.
• Building and providing programming that represents diverse topics, perspectives and voices that cultivates the conversation and grows our knowledge.
• Continuing our own learning journeys to become more effective champions and leaders of reform.
• Expanding our network of speakers and panelists by deepening our partnerships with organizations that authentically reflect the voices of Black women and women of color.
• Supporting local and national non-profit organizations that share these values. This includes amplifying our pro bono efforts, especially with our current client, Academy of Hope, as they work tirelessly to provide a path forward for a diverse group of women and their families.

Lastly, we commit to elevating your voices. We want to hear from you. What additional support can WWPR provide?

We are here to listen and make an impact.

Your WWPR Board

PHOTO: George Floyd’s casket is carried out to the hearse after a family memorial service on Thursday, June 4, 2020, outside Frank J. Lindquist Sanctuary at North Central University in Minneapolis. (Traci Westcott / twestcott@postbulletin.com)