How Podcast Editors Can Create More Diversity and Inclusion

If you’re struggling to respond to or understand the Black Lives Matter movement personally and professionally, you aren’t alone. There’s a fine line between authentic allyship and service and skeevy marketing strategies. Yet, research shows that diversity and inclusion positively benefits bottom lines. 

The millennial and Gen Z generations are the most diverse in history: only 56% of the 87 million millennials in the country are white, as compared to 72% of the 76 million members of the baby boomer generation. (CNN Money)

What is diversity in simple words?

It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies. -- via CUNY

Highlights 

How diversity benefits our business

Your bubble probably insulates you from seeing black podcasters and creators

Start with your WHY 

The case for mentorship 

Tips for cold emails to non-white podcasters 

Why people of color are cautious about asks

It boils down to developing relationships authentically 

Be open to being called out and then do better

Taking a hard look at diversity in your business, podcast, and marketing efforts

Helping your clients tackle diversity and inclusion

Stock images are NOT very diverse

The importance of making sure everyone benefits from your inclusion and diversity efforts

 BONUS: Reparations isn’t necessarily about money...

Who is Nikita?

Nikita Burks-Hale is the CEO and Head Creative of JourneyGurl Magic Productions, which is a podcast production company that supports and empowers Womxn of Color as they bring their unique voices to the masses through podcasting. Nikita is also the host of 2 podcasts, The JourneyGurl Magic Podcast and The Podcaster’s Journey (launch Aug 2020). 

What You can do now:

• Attend Pass the Mic: Best Practices for Diversifying Your Podcast, Your Ask, And Your Life
• Follow black creator hashtags (and other non-white hashtags). Start with tags like #blackpodcasts and #blackpodcasters 
• Engage with some podcasters regularly to expand your ‘bubble.’
• Listen to podcasts from black creators (see links for some suggestions).
• Open a dialogue with your clients about the importance and opportunity of diversity.
• Be a mentor to a podcast editor of color.
• Don’t give up. This is an every day, forever habit to develop.

Links:

• Pass the Mic July 8th: https://journeygurlmagicproductions.lpages.co/passthemic/ (Limited space, so grab your ticket now)
• Wheaton’s Law: http://www.wheatonslaw.com/ (NSFW)
• Carrie is on TikTok! Eek! 
• The Good Ancestor Podcast
• The OutSpoken Girlfriend Podcast
• Pexels- Diverse Stock Photos

Further Reading on Diversity:

• How Diversity Makes Us Smarter
• Diversity Makes Us Smarter & More Innovative
• Top 5 Workplace Diversity Statistics - HR Blog & Resources
• Making More Money with Diversity
• Inclusive marketing done right: How to effectively reach niche customers

Guest Editor

This episode was edited by Top Tier Audio (thanks, Bryan!)

“Data from Pew Research says that millennials are now the largest generation in the workforce. And within 15 years, people of color will make up the majority of the American working class.”

Interested in being a guest on the show?

If you're a podcast editor, we'd love to see if you'd be a fit for a future episode. Fill out this form to let us know you're interested and we'll contact you to see if it's a good fit.

Appearing in this episode:

• Nikita Burks-Hale: https://www.journeygurlmagic.com/ | @journeygurlmagicproductions
• Daniel Abendroth: https://rothmedia.audio | @rothmedia_audio
• Jennifer Longworth: https://bourbonbarrelpodcasting.com | @KYPodcasting
• Carrie Caulfield-Arick:

  Hosts & Guests

  S

  Steve Stewart

  Host

  M

  Mark Deal

  Host

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