The event industry was built on the desire to bring people together. Live experiences have been a critical catalyst for groundbreaking connections and conversations—but more importantly, they're a catalyst for change. As the world transforms, BizBash is actively listening, reflecting, and taking action for our colleagues, the community, and our event industry family. With that in mind, we've gathered this ongoing list of resources to promote diversity and anti-racism in the event, meeting, marketing, and hospitality industries.
Please note that BizBash has no affiliation or connection to any of the below organizations or websites (unless otherwise indicated). This page exists as an ongoing resource to help our readers educate themselves and take action. Want to add something to the list? Email us!
Associations
The National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals
African American Marketing Association
National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers
International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals
The National Society of Black Wedding and Event Professionals: In June 2020, a group of event pros introduced a national directory of event planners, designers, photographers, florists, stationers, caterers, DJs, makeup artists, entertainers, pastry chefs, rental companies, educations, and more. The society, which launches soon, is accepting membership applications now.
National Events Council: Launched in August 2020, the National Events Council is an organization providing advocacy, research, awareness, and support to BIPOC Business Professionals operating within the event industry.
Education and Resources
Black-Owned Resources for Experiential & Live Events Industry: a continuously updating Google Doc created by Anika Grant of Idlewild Experiential
Diversity Check-In Template: This form letter is meant to ensure racial diversity in industry panels, workshops, styled shoots, and similar events.
The Black Table: This is a platform for Black event professionals, which recently released a statement on how the event industry, brands, and decision-makers can support Black event professionals.
Ethos West Collective: Launched in June, the collective highlights West Coast-based Black professionals in the wedding and event space.
Brides: The publication has pulled together a list of over 100 Black-owned wedding businesses to support, from planners to photographers to floral designers.
JuneBug Weddings: The wedding-planning resource created a list of 200 Black wedding pros to follow on Instagram.
AdAge: An updating list of how various brands are responding to racial injustice
Further Reading
Diversity in Events: What It Means, Where We're Failing, and What Comes Next (BizBash)
Anti-Racism Resources for Adults and Kids (Connect Meetings)
Continuing the Conversation: Black Voices in Live Experiences (BizBash)
How This New Organization Plans to Diversify the Event Industry (BizBash)
How Do Black Event Producers Achieve Equity and Equality in the Industry? (BizBash)
10 Ways to Support Black Event Industry Professionals Right Now (BizBash)
Continuing the Conversation: Black Voices in Live Experiences (BizBash)
Further Action:
Places to donate:
Black Lives Matter
NAACP
Campaign Zero
Black Visions Collective
Color of Change
National Bail Fund Network
Petitions to sign:
See a list of recommendations from the Black Lives Matter team