Sign onto the DEI Declaration
IABC Greater Cincinnati invites you to read, review, and sign-on to the Declaration for Diverse & Inclusive Impact
Scope
This declaration is by communication professionals who deliver oral, written, or visual messages that influence perception, build awareness, drive decisions, or affect behavior. Our collective commitment to intentionally supporting diversity and inclusion means acknowledging, seeking, learning about, celebrating, and embracing likenesses and differences, as well as building connections.
Current State
Communication professionals believe that we must proactively speak truth to power and take a “seat at the table.” Our world is shifting, and we must do more than just respond: We must be leaders. We find ourselves with an opportunity to chart the course in our profession and build a culture of respect for all people. This is the moment to proclaim that our field has the resources, networks, skills, and platforms—to make socially responsible decisions. After all, communicators are connectors. It is our responsibility to open dialogue, influence the groups we engage with, and nurture relationships with our members, peer organizations, company leaders, employees, and stakeholders.
Purpose
We must improve how marginalized groups are represented in marketing, news, and media; we must amplify the voices of our members, peer organizations, company leaders, employees, and stakeholders who are members of marginalized groups; and we must provide content that celebrates and supports diversity throughout the communication field.
Mission
We will constantly ask:
- What specific impact can we have in our organizations and circles of influence?
- How can we improve diversity and inclusion of race, age, socioeconomic status, disability, neurodiversity, faith, skin color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or national origin?
To lead change, we must be courageous and step outside of our comfort zones with intention, conviction, and action. We must use our skills, our compassion, our networks, and our resources to emphasize the decisions we recommend or make.
Vision
The communicator’s role will be a catalyst that encourages dialogue and demonstrates human dignity within our profession. We will: communicate hope, inspire, challenge outdated perceptions, and widen the door of opportunity and accessibility.
What the Declaration States
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED ORGANIZATIONS, PROMISE TO:
- Act on this declaration for our members and the public-at-large. We will accomplish this through our selection of topics and speakers for professional development, shared content on media channels/platforms, and by engaging in credible content shared by others.
- Support our peer organizations. Call on each other for feedback, support, and resources; provide connections to subject matter experts; attend fellow functions and programs; and share best practices and innovative thinking.
- Build and maintain momentum. Look for ways to bring diversity in leadership roles (in our professional communication organizations and our work organizations) as well as diverse resources to achieve our organizations’ and business’ needs (subject matter experts, authors, researchers, vendors, etc.).