6 Brands Championing Diversity And Inclusion Through Company Culture

Whether you’re a man, woman, black, white, asian, gay, straight, transgender, disabled, unusual – you have probably experienced varying levels of discrimination throughout your life, and more specifically, in the workplace.

Needless to say, there are some jobs, some industries out there that just aren’t inclusive – whether it’s their hiring standards, product development, or their advertizing, many people can find themselves alienated by certain brands because of who their target audience is and consequently who their target workforce is. It’s natural in life to feel left out – to know a product isn’t meant or designed for you, but to feel aggrieved nonetheless.

However, there are also those times when brands, or indeed entire industries have made egregious errors in judgement by excluding, deluding or discriminating against specific sections of the society. These companies below represent a core group that are focused on diversity and inclusion across the board and have gone out of their way to make sure nobody is left behind.

1. Target

Target’s multicultural business empire and attitude is widely recognized and easily recognized in every one of its stores. Diversity Inc had Target positioned at number 22 on its top 50 most diverse firms for reasons such as its willingness to promote Latinos at a much higher level than even those in the top 10 rankings. In terms of product – Target has never shied away from stocking brands that also celebrate and highlight diversity. It’s a retailer that has consistently – through advertisements, merchandising and employment, continues to prove its ability to diversify.

Their hiring pledge is one you don’t see on many company websites, and consequently, one worth mentioning:

“We believe diversity and inclusivity make teams and Target better. And we’ll live that belief as champions of a more inclusive society by creating a diverse and inclusive work environment, cultivating an inclusive guest experience, and fostering equality in society.” – Target

2. Nike

Product development and innovation have run Nike for the past fifty years. Having branded themselves the frontrunners in new sports’ produce and discoveries, with the latest addition to their lines, they are certainly surpassing expectations.

This week saw the release of test shots for their new ‘Pro Hijab’ for Muslim women – a contentious and hotly-anticipated product, but one that Nike drove relentlessly to get into production. Brand ambassadors for the Hijab include figure skater Zahra Lari and triathlete Manal Rostom. The product comes after an explosion of spending in the Middle-East caused a shift in marketing strategies and advertisement spending by international brands.

The wealth of the region can no longer be ignored and neither can the consumer base. The ‘Pro Hijab’ is the first of many products I would imagine that will target this specific area for its wealth of resources and diverse culture.

Originally published on Swaay by Amy Corcoran on March 15, 2017