Nextdoor’s Post

Over the past year, I've been laid off not once but twice. And honestly? It's probably the best thing that's ever happened to me. I know, crazy, right?! 🤯 So about two years ago, I started feeling this itch. I was working in tech as a user researcher and had just landed a UXR Manager role, and while I was good at it and the money was great, I still just felt unsettled. And honestly, I was bored out of my mind, uninspired, and felt miles away from all of my post-doc dreams. In one of my roles, I literally went from researching and advocating for safe spaces for Black and brown folks online, to helping brands -- that frankly didn't give a damn about those communities -- make more money.  It was... demoralizing, to put it mildly, and traumatizing at it's worst. 💔 After the second round of layoffs, I interviewed with (what should have felt like) a dream brand for a UXR Manager role, and the entire interview I just felt like a fraud, I was trying to pretend to be so invested in helping build a more user-centered app, when frankly I couldn't have cared less. My brain could barelt even focus on the interviews. And so after the recruiter ghosted me, it confirmed what I already knew -- I was done applying for jobs. Between the layoffs and the abysmal job market, it was a wake-up call and frankly a kick in the ass. A chance to prioritize myself, my dreams, and my family and finally do exactly what I wanted to be doing. So, I dove back into therapy, got my health and well being back on track, and even got a new puppy! And -- I started building inclusense. I've poured my heart and soul into this project, creating a space that lets me combine my passion for research, marketing, and mentorship with my deep love for both creator culture and my people. ✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 Inclusense is a total reimagining of how we see and engage with creator culture. It's a space where we push back against how capitalism has tried to strip the joy out of everything on the Internet. A space where I show up as my whole, messy, and sometimes chaotic self – while encouraging you all to do the same. A place where I can teach, share, build, and support the creators and brands that are literally creating culture as we know it. Building something from the ground up is scary, especially at this point in my life. I've accomplished a lot, but building a business while also single momming, trying to drink my water and take my hot girl walks, and still being present for my daughter isn't easy by a long shot and has stretched me and my self-discipline farther than I thought it could go. But as my daughter always reminds me when I tell her she's too heavy for me to still be carrying up and down these stairs chile lol, "But you're strong, Mommy!" 💪🏽 So, welcome to this wild ride. I finally feel like I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to in this season, and I hope you come along for the journey. ✨

👋🏽 Hey, y’all! I’m Dr. Jazz — researcher, strategist, speaker, educator, mentor, and Founder of Inclusense.✨ 👩🏽💻 As a researcher and as a millennial who grew up with and without the Internet, I’ve always been fascinated by the power of social media, from advertising and pop culture to identity construction and representation. So naturally, I went all in and dedicated my doctoral research to the world of Black creators. I wanted to understand all the facets of how we build such vibrant, powerful communities and the incredible value these spaces hold for everyone – from the people who find connection and belonging to the brands who recognize the power of these communities to foster real connections. After years of watching Black and brown creators struggle to be recognized and rewarded for their innovation, trendsetting, and cultural impact, I knew I wanted to do something to shift it. Social media can be a double-edged sword, but it’s also a place where I’ve found my tribe and felt seen for the first time by creators who are just being themselves. We might not be able to fix the whole internet, but we can damn sure make our corners of it more real, more connected, and most importantly, fun again! 😜 So, with this whole Ph.D. and over 15 years of experience in social media, marketing, teaching, and even a stint in big tech, I’m excited to step into a role that allows me to marry all my passions, expertise, and love for the culture while supporting the folks truly making these apps go ‘round. 🤌🏽🤌🏾🤌🏿 We’re here to create spaces where Black and brown creators can thrive, where everyone can learn and grow together through shared knowledge and resources about the roles we all play in shaping digital culture, and where authentic connection is at the heart of everything we do. It’s been time to shift the focus from numbers back to genuine connection — so, welcome to Inclusense✨ #Inclusense #creatoragency #creatormanager #blackcreatorsmatter #browncreatorsmatter #creatorsofcolor #brandpartnerships #representationmatters #impactfulmarketing #influencermarketing #influenceragency

Brands have always wanted to be where culture is happening. But increasingly, especially amongst Gen Zers, culture seems to be cultivating in ad-free, closed-off group chats and more private online communities, like Discord or the #fediverse. If brands want to continue to be part of those cultural moments, agency execs say they’ll have to either find ways to access these communities or build communities of their own. #genz #directmessaging Read more: https://buff.ly/3vqt8ck

🌍 In a world where tech is under-represented across multiple inter-sectional lenses, allyship is a crucial differentiator. For me, it means recognizing my privilege and identity, understanding the experiences of others who are less represented, and actively taking steps to advance inclusion. We are, thus, all allies of some description. 🚀 For example, as a female tech leader at Sainsbury’s, I have made a point of curating and delivering a group coaching programme to help high-performing multi-sectional female engineers accelerate their goals and careers. 💬 I am curious to know what allyship means to you. Let's share and exchange ideas on how we might drive positive change in the comments below. 🌟 It’s together we make the difference. #DiversityandInclusion #TechLeadership #WomeninTech #TogetherWeMakeADifference

“Cultural conversations exist beyond the realms of 30 or 31 days so it doesn’t make sense to only create content or launch campaigns around those months when you can talk about these cultures year round. I think one thing [businesses] need to consider, especially as our society grows, is that a lot more brands are moving toward appealing to the Gen Z audience. And Gen Z is more multicultural than ever.” - Jayde I. Powell content creator, marketing strategist and host of #CreatorTeaTalk. This February, ensure your company efforts are genuine and sustainable by prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion in all parts of your business operations. ✏️: Sprout Social, Inc. | Jamia Kenan

🌍✨ Reflecting on the meaningful journey of driving social responsibility at Vista!  🌱🌈 During my time as Global Brand & Integrated Marketing Lead at Vista, I had the privilege to lead initiatives that not only added value to our organization but also contributed to making the world a more inclusive and sustainable place. Here are some key highlights: 🗓️ Global Cultural Moments Calendar: I spearheaded the launch of an entirely new Global Cultural Moments Calendar. We identified and celebrated key events such as International Women’s Day, Pride Month, Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Earth Day. These moments allowed us to shine a light on diversity and sustainability, fostering a more inclusive workplace. 📚 Content Series for Underrepresented Communities: We believed in the power of storytelling to amplify underrepresented voices. To this end, I created a content series on our website that showcased inspiring stories from underrepresented minorities and highlighted minority-owned businesses. By sharing their experiences and journeys, we aimed to promote diversity and support these incredible individuals and enterprises. It's humbling to have been part of a team that took real steps toward making a positive impact. As I embark on my next professional chapter, I'm excited to bring this passion for social responsibility, diversity, and sustainability to a new opportunity. If you're looking for someone who's committed to driving social change while adding value to your organization, let's connect! 🤝 #SocialResponsibility #DiversityandInclusion #Sustainability #NewOpportunities

Today's #Thursday #TruthOfTheDay is a critical reflection on #Diversity, #Equity, #Inclusion, #Belonging, and #EqualityAtWork within #CorporateAmerica and across #Institutions. The current landscape of #DEI initiatives often prioritizes #RiskReduction, aiming to sidestep #Litigation and manage #PR and #CompanyReputation, rather than pursuing genuine #SystemicChange. Many #ERGs and #DiversityInitiatives, despite their potential, fall into the trap of being #Performative, offering limited #Impact. A closer look at DEI #Advocates—ranging from #Influencers to thought leaders and authors—reveals a concerning gap: a lack of engagement with real systems #Change, #Liberation, or activism. Furthermore, DEI #Activities frequently act as a #Facade. They allow #Organizations, #CEO s and #Leaders to project a #Progressive image without making substantial #OperationalChanges. This is often paired with ongoing efforts to #Exploit both #NaturalResources and #HumanCapital . It's time for a shift towards #Authenticity and #Meaningful action in the #FutureOfWork. Let's #DoTheRightThing and reimagine what true commitment to these values can look like. #MakeImpact and #RealChange in the #NewWorldOfWork. Google #Article x #WIRED #Tech #Media

Diversity and inclusion within your marketing team are essential ingredients for success. A diverse marketing team brings a range of perspectives. Variety in thought and experience is crucial when crafting campaigns that resonate with a global audience. In tech, where innovation is the currency, such diversity can be the difference between a campaign that's merely good and one that's groundbreaking. Diversity must go hand in hand with inclusion. Having a varied team is not enough; each member must feel valued and heard. Inclusion means creating an environment where everyone can contribute meaningfully, regardless of their background. This is where the magic happens in marketing. When all voices are included, the team can produce campaigns that speak to a wide audience. Building such teams isn't just about ticking boxes. It's about actively seeking out and nurturing talent from all walks of life. It's about mentorship programs, having open conversations, and challenging the status quo. #DiversityInTech #InclusiveMarketing #TechInnovation

🌟 It's Mentorship Monday and today we're featuring advice from Abigail Franco, Senior Director of Digital Product and Innovation at T-Mobile! 🌟 Grab your coffee and get comfy because Abigail's bringing some serious wisdom for all you rising stars in the tech world. 🚀 First things first, she wants you to trust yourself. Yup, you heard it right! Believe in your gut, own your skills, and let that confidence shine through in everything you do. 💪 But wait, there's more! Abigail's all about spreading those good vibes. She's a big advocate for positive self-talk – you know, those pep talks you give yourself in the mirror? Yeah, she's all about those. So, next time you're feeling a bit down, remember Abigail's advice: be kind to yourself and watch your confidence soar! 💬✨ Now, let's talk about mentorship. Abigail's got a nugget of gold here: it's like planting seeds for your future success. So why wait? Dive into the world of mentorship early and watch yourself grow like never before. 🌱 Last but not least, Abigail's all about lifting each other up. Let's face it, the tech world can be a wild ride, but together, we're stronger. So let's empower one another, celebrate our wins, and support each other through the ups and downs. Because when we lift each other up, there's no limit to what we can achieve! 💼✨ Ready to dive deeper into Abigail's insights? Click the link below to read more and join the conversation! 👇 https://hubs.la/Q02tDQVc0 #MentorshipMonday #NextGenLeaders #WomenInTech

BITE’s most-loved inclusive campaigns 💛 20-25% of the world's population has some kind of disability but this is represented in just 1% of visual imagery. When advertising is able to truly engage with communities, reflect lived experiences and help move forward the needle on inclusion, it has the ability to impact culture and wider society for the better. While there is still a way to go before the industry is truly reflective of society at large, to celebrate #NationalInclusionWeek, we asked industry leaders to name their most-loved inclusive campaigns. As well as considering the positive impact the industry can have and how to move toward a more inclusive, impactful future.  Featuring: Jamie June Hill, Creative Inclusivity Director, VMLY&R COMMERCE, Corinna Field, Co-Founder, Red Lion PR, Daisy Phillips (Sheppard), Creative Director, Manifest Group, Aimee Luther, Managing Director, The Liberty Guild, Jeremy Page MPRCA, Executive Vice President and Global Director of Creative, KWT Global, Jim Coleman, UK CEO, We Are Social Read the full article on the Creativebrief platform: https://lnkd.in/ezebU8BY