H&S team members at a BACARDI event in Miami
Members of the H&S team spent a rum-tastic week in Miami with the BACARDÍ familia! From making piña coladas together to enjoying a Miami Heat game at the BACARDÍ Ocho Lounge to living it up on a private boat cruise, this week was an unforgettable bonding experience!
We loved listening to H&S’s CEO Elizabeth Harrison on PR Council’s second podcast episode this month! The episode, titled Delivering Positive Experiences to Build a Diverse Team, features Elizabeth speaking on H&S’s diverse organization and how that contributes to the agency’s overall success. The firm boasts a leadership team that is 70% diverse and has attracted and retained diverse talent at all levels.
Elizabeth launched H&S 24 years ago. During her tenure as CEO, she has worked with iconic brands across multiple categories, and under her leadership the agency has seen robust growth with large global clients such as Bacardi, Booking.com, Fairmont, and OMEGA, as well as affecting positive cultural change, hiring diverse talent, increasing profit growth and maintaining 88% client retention. Through creating positive experiences for diverse employees, Elizabeth has managed to cultivate a diverse workplace that values each other and the work that they do together.
Scene from Paris Is Burning, a film about the NYC Ball scene
At H&S, we’re always looking for ways to grow and educate ourselves around PRIDE and how to be allies to the LGTBQ+ community. This month, we’re asking our staff what resources they hold near to them year round, but especially during PRIDE. We hope you’ll join us in reading, listening, and continuing to put words into action.
I first heard about “Paris is Burning” when I started college and learned that a high school classmate was involved in the Ball scene in NYC. I was so intrigued and found the documentary on YouTube. Since then, I have urged friends and family to watch the documentary to learn about a community they likely hadn’t heard of. Now we have Pose on FX (which I strongly urge you to watch as well) for a scripted take on the community, but Paris is Burning is an intimate glimpse into the community everyone needs to see.
I’ve learned so much this past month gearing up for PRIDE celebrations for several of our brands. I’m particularly excited to have come across the organization BTFA (Black Trans Femmes in the Arts), a nonprofit that now happens to have one of our former H&S interns working at! BTFA organizes programming that centers and highlights Black trans femme artists, executive produces projects led by Black trans femme artists, and provides direct to support to Black trans artists. Please check them out and give them a follow on Instagram!
I first learned about this book from Drag Queen Story Hour, an amazing organization where drag queens read stories to children in libraries, schools and bookstores. As a parent, I love the approach to normalizing these conversations and showing our children that its okay to be different and to embrace your true self. I’m so grateful for these tools and love the way it’s presented – I highly recommend, for kids and adults alike!
Happy Pride Month from Team H&S! We are fiercely proud and protective of having a phenomenally diverse team here at the agency. While June marks the beginning of Pride celebrations around the world, today (and every day) we strive to create a more safe, inclusive, thriving workplace. Scroll down for some Pride Month perspectives from our team.
“Pride to me is celebrating my authentic self each and every day, I’m so grateful to work with a group of people who not only encourage individuality but celebrate it.”
“We all have a responsibility to call out bias and prejudice if we see it. Being the mother of a gay daughter, I am an ally. Being an ally is a deep, personal commitment, which has allowed me to become more empathetic. Engaging with people who may appear to have a lot in common with me but who may have very different challenges and perceptions than I do, has made me grow personally and consciously to address my own bias. I applaud Charlotte’s courage, passion, and confidence to be her true self.”
“Pride allows me to feel my most genuine and authentic self not only during the month, but also for a lifetime.”
“My decision to join H&S was based upon the inclusive mindset and commitment to diversity. As a gay, Latina woman, it’s important for me to work at a company that embraces the value of a diverse team and lives up to those values. So happy to be a part of the H&S family, but especially during Pride month.”
H&S CEO Elizabeth Harrison was recently featured on The PRovoke Podcast by PRovoke Media. The episode is titled Ageism In the PR Industry With Elizabeth Harrison, and addresses how the industry has always been faced with ageism and demographic discrimination of all kinds. PRovoke Media's latest data shows that in North America only 57% of PR agency employees believe the industry provides opportunities for those 50+. We’re proud of and grateful for Elizabeth shining light on this issue and talking through ways that we can all aim to create a better and more inclusive future for PR professionals everywhere.
“I would encourage any woman over 50 to own it. Own your age. Own your experience….You can walk into a room and own the room the same way a man can. If you have the confidence, you can be the most powerful person in the room.”
“You spend the first part of your career wishing you looked older and taken more seriously. People aren’t taking you seriously enough because you don’t have the experience. And then you spend the latter half wishing people would not consider you too old to do the job.”
Last month, our very own Chief Brand Officer, Veronica Rodriguez, hosted the panel ‘Twice as Good: Women of Color Smashing the Concrete Ceiling and Building Their Own House,” in honor of Women’s History Month. It was an incredible discussion filled with profound and insightful feedback from four female industry leaders. See below for some of our favorite takeaways from this truth telling discussion.
Join us for our next Coffee Break featuring H&S Chief Brand Officer Veronica Rodriguez as she hosts a panel called,
“ Twice as Good: Women of Color Smashing the Concrete Ceiling and Building Their Own House.”
Throughout the one-hour, virtual discussion, we will be highlighting the stories of women of color from across the media, spirits, fashion and tech industries. Each with a unique perspective and journey towards success.
As most Americans continue to lean in on the belief that getting a good education and securing a job at a great company will result in reaching the American dream…climbing the rungs of the socio-economic ladder remain difficult for marginalized communities, particularly women of color. With the ongoing generational challenges BIPOC women are facing in education, business and the workplace; many have decided to stop trying to fit into a pre-set mold and instead, began finding their own way. Now investing in themselves and leveraging their village, women of color are “smashing cement ceilings” and “building their own house.”
Below are details for this upcoming panel and we hope to see you there!
Veronica Rodriguez, Chief Brand Officer at H&S Communications- Veronica leads the brand engagement, StudioHS and cultural transformation practice at H&S. With over 20 years of strategic integrated marketing experience, Veronica oversees research and analytics, brand strategy, influencer and experiential marketing efforts across the agency’s roster of clients. Her efforts help to advance the integration of research and insights with talent relations, influencer relationship-building, digital content and experiences – resulting in award-winning brand campaigns that intersect culture, diverse consumer passion points, perspectives and purpose. Prior to joining H&S, Rodriguez oversaw multicultural marketing at Edelman and digital strategy at Marina Maher Communications where combined, she delivered best-in-class results for world leading brands including Diageo, Heineken, Kimberly Clark, Kraft Foods, Pepsi, Procter & Gamble, Unilever, United Airlines, and Verizon, among others.
Sidra Smith - writer and award-winning producer Executive Producer, Essence Studios. From developing film and TV projects around the 50-year-old brand’s IP to launching Essence Studios OTT platform - featuring original scripted and non-scripted series, virtual summits and concerts; Sidra has helped to modernize the franchise platform. From the onset of COVID-19, Sidra and her team have produced hundreds of hours of content including virtual events like Essence Wellness House, Essence Festival, Afropunk, Show Me Your Walk: The HBCU Commencement Celebration, The New Voices Fund Pitch Competitions, Dear Black Men, Black Girls Shaking Shit Up: The Girls United Virtual Summit and the Essence Entrepreneur Summit. To cap off the year, Sidra Smith served as the Executive Producer of Sylvie’s Love, now showing on Amazon Prime Video, where she worked closely with Amazon, the producers Nnamdi Asomugha and Gabrielle Glore and director Eugene Ashe to make the film a “Hot Amazon Release”.
Kendall Reynolds – CEO and design director of luxury show brand Kendall Miles Designs. As a third-generation entrepreneur born and raised on the Southside of Chicago, Kendall has always been the type to forge her own path. Starting Kendall Miles Designs as a passion project from her college apartment at the University of Southern California, Kendall completed her degree in International Relations while simultaneously teaching herself how to design footwear. Subsequently, Kendall received formal training at the world-renowned accessories design university, Ars Sutoria in Milan, Italy, before spending two years in NYC establishing a fashion industry network.
Jennifer Gomez, creative storyteller, tech entrepreneur, co-founder and chief marketing officer of oneKIN, an award-winning, mission-driven, retail tech company building an ecosystem of tools to help small + POC-owned businesses thrive. This Spring, the company will be launching twiineTM , a livestream shopping app that allows users to seamlessly interact with small businesses via live shopping events, build community and access exclusive deals. Prior to stepping out on faith and becoming an entrepreneur, Jennifer served as the head of integrated marketing for StyleHaul; and built her career with some of the nations most notable media, sports and beauty brands including L’Oreal USA, Major League Baseball and Time, Inc.
Tyler Phillips, Director of Culture and Lifestyle Partnerships. With over 16+ years of experience in marketing communications for global brands that ranged from beauty and lifestyle companies to spirits. Over the past nine years, Tyler has overseen iconic brands such as BACARDÍ rum, D’USSÉ and Bacardi portfolio of brands including Grey Goose, Bombay Sapphire and Martini. In her role she’s worked to transform brand perception, drive desire, bridge connections and engagement with media, influencers, celebrities and diverse consumers.
The push to power racial justice and close the inequality gap is one of H&S Communications key civil rights goals 2021!
Today, we lock arms with @ColorOfChange, the nation’s largest online racial justice organization and agency partners @BBDO to launched The Pedestal Project – an Augmented Reality (AR) experience on Instagram that allows users to place statues of racial justice leaders atop empty pedestals where confederate statues once stood.
Color Of Change has advocated for the removal of contentious statues for many years. Now, The Pedestal Project uses technology to see a world where statues finally portray worthy idols for future generations. Today, we launched by honoring three incredible racial justice leaders: John Lewis, Civil Rights leader and Former United States Congressman; Alicia Garza, Co-founder of the Black Lives Matter Movement, Author, and Principal at Black Futures Lab; Chelsea Miller, Co-founder of Freedom March NYC.
Join the Movement: Visit Color of Change, sign this petition to have all racist Confederate symbols in public spaces removed
Spread the News: Visit @ColorofChange on Instagram to see & hear why change is needed. Snap a pic/video, tag @ColorOfChange and share your post
Rally Your Community: Join us for a live virtual event at the Color of Change YouTube Channel.
My name is Luis Manuel Braga Jr. I was born on April 12th, 1992 to Josefa Altagracia Caminero and Luis Manuel Braga in Elmhurst, New York.
My mother is from the Dominican Republic, her side of the family sees many members of different ethnic makeups. As a child, I was always fascinated by the differences in my family, even though it was never discussed. Many people aren’t aware that the Latinx community comes with its own set of self-racial issues
My father's background has always been a mystery to me and it's a topic my family has kept guarded for years, something I’ve never publicly spoken about. I always knew my grandfather was of Brazilian descent, but never got to meet him as he was shot and killed before I was born. With recent events, I’ve been contemplating whether his darker skin tone was a factor in his murder.
I grew up closely with my Dominican aunt & cousin, who’s lighter complexion was never an issue to me. Growing up as part of a single-parent household, my aunt and my father firsthand knew the experiences of being impoverished.
When I was 5, I remembered my family made a collective decision, for the futures of both me and my cousin. Both families moved to Glendale, a predominately white suburb of Queens. I observed racial differences in first grade, where I transitioned from public education to a private one. My classmates and cousin would joke about the matter, I would even laugh and brush it off…none of this got me upset or bothered. I was never treated differently as far as I can remember from growing up. I played basketball and threw my “head in the game” as a way to avoid confronting my sexuality. Although I hung out, partied, celebrated, and had good times with my white teammates and classmates, my blackness was made aware to me in the soft-subtle racial undertones and exploitation of my blackness. I was oft-referred to as the “Spanish-friend”.
It wasn’t until college and when I began to work where I noticed the difference. I had assimilated myself into fitting into this bubble as the “safe” black kid. As disheartening as it sounds, I had white friends tell me, “you're Spanish, you're not black” and I agreed. I suppressed my racial identity for years. It wasn’t until I met a friend at a retail job, I took in college that I realized my denial. He changed my sense of self and my eagerness to be accepted by the white majority. Initially, though hurt and confused, I gradually realized the truth in his words. I was confused, scared, and hurt. I still didn’t comprehend what this meant until this weekend.
This weekend I realized I was sheltered from my true identity, as an Afro-Latino man. I let my fear paralyze me properly asserting myself. It wasn’t an easy pill to swallow, after so many years of “acceptance” by my white friends, I had the opportunity to speak up and align myself with the community that I had previously ignored. Social media allowed me the opportunity to share my personal story with those who are struggling with their identity, specifically those in the Latinx community. I wanted them to feel heard, seen, and most importantly valued. The incoming supportive messages warmed my heart.
I'm proud I spoke up. This isn’t about time; this is about addressing racism. You should not feel ashamed about making your voice heard.
I write this letter as I am no longer keeping silent, and to share my personal story; a story I’ve kept guarded for 28 years of my life. I hope that it inspires others who have similar feelings to take that action and address difficult issues.
Having a voice is not only beautiful, but it’s also one of the most powerful assets one can use, especially during this time in society. I encourage everyone to stand up with us, speak justice, and support your minority colleagues and those sound you. Show them that you are beside them.
In the words of the great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, “let no man pull you so low as to hate him”.
Peace, Love, & Justice.
Luis Manual Braga Jr.
The Dual Partnership Aims to Drive Awareness that Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Is Not Enough To Save Current Corporations
This week, we’re thrilled to announce that H&S is joining forces with Reframe, an enterprise software as a service technology company, to steer Corporate America toward a transformation that accurately reflects the cultural reality of New America.
Elizabeth Harrison, our fearless CEO and co-founder and Jeffrey L. Bowman, a former Madison Avenue advertising executive turned tech entrepreneur who is co-founder and CEO of Reframe, formed the partnership created through a co-authored White Paper written primarily by Bowman through his research, pre COVID-19, that uncovered why this integral change is so difficult for organizations.
We sat down with Elizabeth and Jeffrey to discuss why now is the right time for transformation, what success looks like, and what’s exciting about this new partnership:
Why is now the right time for a cultural transformation in Corporate America?
We find ourselves amidst a powerful and necessary conversation around race, ethnicity, gender, culture, and equality that requires expert precision. As a collective group, we have a long history of viewing our trade through a cultural lens and being champions for justice, self-expression, fairness, and diversity. We strongly believe it is our responsibility to share our knowledge with Corporate America across this nation in order to effect meaningful change.
What does this transformation look like to be successful and sustainable?
The traditional approach of the last half century of diversity, equity, and inclusion has missed the mark when it comes to an effective way of integrating Corporate America. While on the surface, it may seem like the appropriate solution with many adherents pointing to positive anecdotal developments, however, what it leaves out is the endemic structural underpinnings of our culture that require a radical reordering. As Americans throughout the nation come to grips with how we move forward together in a positive and meaningful direction, it is our aim to assist Corporate America in what happens behind closed door. By introducing a change management approach to build a workplace for cultural inclusion, early adopters will certainly be on the vanguard of how we move broader society toward outcomes that are both sustainable and scalable.
What excites you most about the Harrison & Shriftman / Reframe partnership?
Finding the exact words. Striking a genuine tone. Setting the right example. Striding toward a better shared future. By joining forces in this effort, H&S and Reframe has forged an incredibly unique community where our shared integral values are welcomed, heard, supported, and implemented. This cultural lens of championing these human truths have successfully created impactful solutions and award-winning programs on behalf of our partners and throughout our communities that bridge the divide between Corporate America and diverse audiences across the nation.
Last Thursday, our very own Director of Lifestyle & Brand Engagement, Luis Braga, joined The PR Net’s latest webinar on Impactful Allyship in Marketing and Communications where he provided valuable insights into the importance of minority consumer purchasing power, diversity in media and influencer relations, and the fundamental ways brands can make campaigns more representative and relevant for the black community.
The following excerpts from the webinar highlight these topics and how, at H&S we continue to work with our clients to ensure diversity and inclusion are at the forefront of strategy and communications.
As an agency, and as individuals, we’ve been taking the extra time and effort to immerse ourselves in the Black Lives Matter movement. We wanted to share some of our staff’s personal recommendations. We hope you’ll join us in reading, listening, and continuing to put words into action.
Sharing my fave brands right now: Inkbox and Universal Standard. They are smaller, not yet as widely-known brands that are showing up their competitor in their respective industries and beyond. Why? Because they aren’t just talking the talk, but are also walking the walk. In the 2nd week of protests, we saw many companies/brands start to join the BLM conversation via external statements, social media and emails to customers. However, it quickly became clear that they were all using the same language, as if someone had created a BLM support template then handed it out for everyone to use. And that screams inauthenticity and a “jumping on the bandwagon so we don’t get left behind” mentality. And we’re not buying it.
The black community and its allies worldwide expect more than just a brand’s lip service; we want clear commitment to action. And while donations to organizations that are making a difference on the ground and pushing for policy reform are welcome and necessary, consumers also expect brands to turn the mirror on themselves, starting with diversifying their employee base at all levels, particularly the senior levels.
Inkbox and Universal Standard took a pause to do just that, and their accountability and transparency speaks volumes. They have a lot work to do, but they aren’t afraid to admit it. And that’s exactly the support we demand to create the change this world is in desperate need of.
20 Social Justice Organizations to Support Right Now: I thought this was a great resource in finding more information and ways to support a variety of organizations.
My favorites include:
So proud of our client partners Rodney Williams and Adrian Parker for sharing their personal story and pledge to drive an inside/outside approach to creating long-term systemic shifts around diversity, justice, equity and inclusion within their organization. Take a listen.
A really great read, that stayed with me long after reading it. Tayari Jones’s fourth novel, An American Marriage, is about the deep racial prejudice of the American criminal justice system that convicts a black man, Roy Othaniel Hamilton, of a rape he did not commit. The novel "shows us what can happen when racism and violence collide with relationships."
Keeping up Anti-Racist Momentum After the News Cycle: It is important to continue to make an impact moving forward and this guide gives you a few ways to continue your efforts past the news cycle.
After working in the fashion industry for the past 12 years, I’m really excited to see this change come about right at the top of @HarpersBazaar. Can’t wait to see how @SamiraNasr’s vision comes to life!
These are just some of the amazing people in the Black community that we've had the opportunity to work with on various clients. If you don't already follow, check them out!
@tiffycrazycool
@justkayelle
@farahpink
@broderickhunter
@a_chard_lifestyle
@melaninbanc
@keithnelsonjr
As an agency, and as individuals, we’ve been taking the extra time and effort to immerse ourselves in the Black Lives Matter movement. We wanted to share some of our staff’s personal recommendations. We hope you’ll join us in reading, listening, and continuing to put words into action.
A Time to Kill: This movie shows how unfair the justice system can be to Black Americans. It's a timeless movie!
How to Dismantle Systemic Racism by @ PatiasFantasyWorld: This is a HUGE resource guide that is a excellent for white people who are looking to educate themselves further. There is a whole section on White 2 White Conversation Topics that is really useful for getting white folks who may have been uncomfortable talking about race to commence.
Want to find other ways to make an impact? here are two apps that will allow you to support black owned business: Eat Okra and Black Nation.
@TheManacho: This IGTV series is a great educational resource. Emmanuel Acho will be continuing his series of “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man” and eventually writing a book compiling all of his experiences and conversations. He also just did an IG live with Lili Reinhart featured in her IGTV feed. I find the way he presents to be informative and inspiring. Looking forward to following along!
It’s been a heavy week and as an agency, and as individuals, we’ve been taking the extra time and effort to immerse ourselves in the Black Lives Matter movement. We wanted to share some of our staff’s personal recommendations. We hope you’ll join us in reading, listening, and continuing to put words into action.
For every nine people who have been executed in the U.S., one person on death row has been exonerated and released, a shocking rate of error. This month, @justmercyfilm was made free on streaming platforms and after watching it last night, immediately donated to @eji_org. My eyes were wide open the entire film, and I compel you to do the same!
Grassroots Law spotlight's police brutality that would of otherwise went unknown to the public.
a16z Podcast: What We Can’t Revel We Can’t Heal with former police officer in East Palo Alto, Terry Brown, leading advocate for criminal justice reform and bestselling author @shakasenghor. A searing podcast that will make you think harder about our justice system.
We all have the power to create change in this country - the best way is to make sure our leaders are people we admire, look up to and do the right thing. Our current President is failing us.
As an avid reader, I have learned so much about different races, ethnicities and cultures through literature. To continue educating myself, I am next reading Heavy: An American Memoir for my book club. A brief summary of the book: In this powerful and provocative memoir, genre-bending essayist and novelist Kiese Laymon explores what the weight of a lifetime of secrets, lies, and deception does to a black body, a black family, and a nation teetering on the brink of moral collapse.
