If you picture a creative brainstorm held in your office in 2019, odds are that session might look very different from a creative brainstorm held in your office, or virtually, or in a hybrid environment, in 2022. Even if your organization has done the DEI work to ensure equitable practices around who gets to be “in the room” and why, the concept of “the room” itself has changed along with the nature of how many of us collaborate each day. This adds in new nuances for those committed to equitable and unbiased execution in creative brainstorms.

Since 2016, our Love Has No Labels campaign has promoted diversity, equity and inclusion of all people across race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age and ability. To celebrate Pride Month at a time when many people are still working remotely, the campaign has released a set of virtual backgrounds that will help you brighten up your next Zoom meeting—whether you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally who wants to show your support.

On June 20-24, Cannes Lions is back, and the Ad Council is proud to be taking part in several panels on some of today’s most urgent topics, including how to support Ukraine, responding to the growing mental health crisis, and representing love in diverse communities. Read on for all the details on where you’ll find us. We hope to see you there!

As Americans, we are told that when we are feeling sick or unwell, we should go see a doctor. While that’s a seamless process for some, for others, getting care can be a traumatic experience that feels like a constant uphill battle—a battle where they are always on the defense. This is especially true for Black, Indigenous, or People of Color as well as other groups that have been historically marginalized, who may not feel listened to or believed by their health care practitioner.

Dr. Gennifer Herley and Stephanie Battaglino are the founder and president of TransNewYork, an impactful, culture-shifting organization that aims to empower and enhance the lives of transgender, gender nonconforming and nonbinary individuals. TransNewYork directly supports the LGBTQ+ community through counseling and workforce readiness services, and they also advance workplace inclusion through corporate training programs around the country.

A lot has happened in the last three years. The COVID-19 pandemic, the rise in racist violence and hate incidents, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, inflation, instability, the rapidly changing job market—all of these issues have exacerbated a growing mental health crisis and also made many employees and potential hires rank mental health support and benefits highly on the list of what they value in their workplace.

As the possibility of summer seems like it finally might become reality, our calendars are filling up with a mixture of virtual and in-person opportunities to come together, hear each other’s stories, and talk about ways to move our culture forward. We’re excited about all of these upcoming events and hope we’ll see you there.

Dr. Alfiee M. Breland-Noble (known professionally as Dr. Alfiee) is a pioneering psychologist, scientist, author and media contributor. As founder of The AAKOMA Project 501c3, she envisioned and built The AAKOMA Project into a thriving Woman of Color led, million-dollar mental health nonprofit.

Sesame Workshop, the Ad Council, COVID Collaborative, CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics Collaborate to Provide Answers to Parents’ Questions on Vaccines for Children Aged 6 Months and Up

Alongside the George Floyd Memorial Foundation, Cafe Maddy Cab and onePULSE, the Ad Council’s Iconic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Campaign Shows the Impact Every Individual Can Have when Responding to Injustice

Newly Launched Research Arm of the Ad Council Partners with Decision Intelligence Firm Morning Consult to Help Brands, Agencies, and Causes Understand, and Address Topics That Matter

New Social and Digital Public Service Advertisements on How STEM Brings the World of the Series to Life – from Costume and Set Design to Directing – Will Debut June 8