Chioma Aduba: DE&I initiatives don’t begin and end in February

From Member Chioma Aduba, EVP Head of Business Leadership, McCann

How is your organization/agency celebrating Black History Month?

We are celebrating BHM with a whole host of activities and spotlight sessions—everything from shining a light on our favorite Black owned businesses, celebrating Black music and educating ourselves and the agency with fun Jeopardy and trivia games

What advice would you give young diverse talent just starting out in the industry?

My advice to young diverse talent is to know your worth and embrace your culture—two things I wish I’d done more of when I was younger. It can be very challenging to value your unique perspective when you don’t hear similar ones echoed back, when you don’t see faces like yours seated at big tables. You have so much to offer this industry. Never devalue what that perspective, even when it’s different or one of few… in fact, especially in these moments. Secondly, be who you are out loud every day—talk about your hair, your food, your everything. It will bring richness to every community you belong to.

As we know, DE&I initiatives need to be a priority all year round, not just during Black History Month. That said, how do you plan to continue to incorporate your DE&I initiatives at your organization/agency throughout the year?

At McCann we have a number of Employee led groups that focus on many diverse communities. Whether we are celebrating Diwali, Pride or Hispanic Heritage our DE&I initiatives don’t begin and end in February. We celebrate our diverse communities all year long. What I love most about it is how the entire agency integrates with these groups. Our ERG’s are comprised of everyone and so are the events.