In response to protests surrounding the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement and calls for more diversity within the U.S., our communities, and in the workplace, colleagues at Aviation Week Network created a team to address issues surrounding diversity and inclusion. The result was the Black Lives Matter Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Council, whose members include 19 colleagues at all levels within the Aviation Week Network, and has the full support of Greg Hamilton, vice president and Market Leader of Informa Markets - Aviation Week Network.
Spearheaded by Donna Thomas, its chairperson, the Council meets bi-weekly to discuss controversial topics and provide insights, resources and in-depth information, including articles, books, videos, podcasts, and guest speakers, all geared to spark conversation and self-awareness and to illuminate and confront the foundations of racism in America.
The Council was split into three teams. The first, the Communication/ Education/Social Media Team is aimed at educating members about the perils and liabilities of racism and its effect on the U.S. today. Second is the Internal – Inside Aviation Week Team aimed at addressing issues surrounding diversity and inclusion within the Aviation Week Network and Informa. Third is the External Outreach Team, which focuses on forming relationships with black-owned businesses, historically black colleges and universities and other colleges and universities with a more diverse student body. All three groups have crafted and initiated a multifaceted set of unique goals with one clear mission: To make Aviation Week Network and by extension Informa, a more diverse and inclusive workplace through education and training, recruitment and engagement with schools, organizations and the aviation and aerospace community.
Some of the goals the teams have executed include a first-ever Diversity Townhall, a monthly newsletter called “Diversity News” distributed to all AWN employees, a Portal page, which is a one-stop-shop for employees to educate themselves on diversity and inclusion, and weekly blogs designed to encourage input and participation among Informa colleagues across the globe.
As a result of the advisory council's efforts, a select number of goals were submitted at the executive level of Informa. Some of the company-wide changes we are now seeing include the implementation of new talent management and recruitment principles, a series of commitments dedicated to ensuring that our hiring and recruitment practices and policies are fair, equitable and inclusive; quarterly Diversity Inclusion and Belonging town hall meetings; a company-wide census to identify underrepresented groups who may need more support so that they may thrive; mandatory D&I training for management and all employees and other initiatives.
Colleagues from across the business have been coming together to share experiences and engage in open conversations to learn to become better allies and better citizens and to make our company a better, more inclusive business.
For further information please contact:
Erving Dockery, Jr.
Sr. Manager, Partnership, Outreach & Exhibitions
