At Digital Dames we believe that Black Lives Matter. We have always held women, minorities and otherwise disenfranchised communities near to our hearts as we grow this company. With that, we recognize that there is much unlearning to do in order to unpack our own unconscious biases to ensure that we are responsible with how we serve our clients as marketers/technologists, as business owners and citizens.
These are our commitments to Antiracism and inclusivity work.
- We read, follow and learn from Black and Indigenous authors, creators, and educators (about all topics, not just social justice) – links of which are included in the list below. We consciously consume media content from BIPOC creators, rather than media/tv/art that only centers white voices.
- We consciously spend. If there is a BIPOC-owned alternative to something we are purchasing, we make an effort to purchase that. Websites that facilitate this process are: WeBuyBlack, The Black Wallet, Five Fifths, and Official Black Wall Street.
- We review our website copy, emails, and language to ensure that the way we are communicating is inclusive of people from all races, genders, and backgrounds, rather than being unconsciously biased or privileged. We exclude African American Vernacular English (AAVE) from our marketing copy, and take care to produce marketing materials that reflect these same values.
- We review all images across our platforms, and images produced for our clients to ensure we are being inclusive and non-exploitative.
- We work with an Antiracism expert and culture periodically to review our marketing materials and our client work to ensure that we are not being exploitative, and to consider what else we can do to amplify Black voices, support Black and Indigenous-owned businesses.
- We make a monthly recurring donation to the Phoenix chapter of Black Lives Matter where our headquarter office is located.
- We use our social media, blog and emails to amplify Black voices by sharing stories of inspiring Black and Indigenous creators as it relates to digital marketing and technology.
- We offer our online academy courses to Black and Indigenous entrepreneurs for FREE with the discount code blacklivesmatter.
- We do not speak at events (digital or in-person) that do not make a significant effort to highlight BIPOC voices. If we are asked to speak at an event that doesn’t highlight BIPOC voices, we educate the event host about why we are declining their offer.
- We use preferred gender pronouns by adding them to our email signature, social media profiles, and Zoom names and encourage our team to do the same.
Thought leaders we follow
Ibram Kendi
Rachel Elizabeth Cargle
Ava DuVernay
Jason Reynolds
Shaun King
The Root
Brittany Packnett Cunningham
Janaya Future Khan
Sonya Renee Taylor
Layla F. Saad
Organizations implementing change
Black Lives Matter
Black Visions Collective
Reclaim the Block
NAACP Legal Defense Fund
American Civil Liberties Union
National Bail Fund Network
Local bail funds across the US
National Police Accountability Project
Know Your Rights Camp
Articles & Discussions on Antiracism
Ending Racism in One Generation with Justin Michael Williams
We Need to Be Actively Anti-Racist—18 Articles to Help You Understand and Take Action
Racial Microaggressions Are Real. Here’s How to Navigate Them
Dear White Friends: Here’s What I Need (And Don’t Need) From You
Honoring Juneteenth: Links, Resources, and Local Celebrations
12 Ways You Can Help Eradicate White Supremacy
How to support Black Lives Matter, wherever you are
Mental Health Issues Facing the Black Community
How to Support Black Lives Matter Online/9 Steps to Stay Safe While Supporting Black Lives Matter by vpn Mentor
Books on Antiracism
How To Be An Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo, PhD
Make Change by Shaun King
The Body is Not An Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Olou
Beyond this short list we recommend the Anti-Racism Project’s Book List and also this reading list by The Everygirl.
