ABD Creative is committed to the full empowerment of our employees, clients, partners, and community regardless of human difference. Recognizing that we may live fundamentally different lives, we strive to foster a culture of belonging for everyone.

We commit to increasing and celebrating diversity in all aspects of our organization and our work, knowing that a more diverse environment advances our community’s collective capabilities.

We commit to creating equal access to opportunities, and to working actively to identify, and remove or reduce barriers to participation.

We commit to pursuing deliberate efforts to ensure that our organization is a place where differences are welcomed, different perspectives are respectfully heard, and where individuals feel represented in the decision making process.

We commit to actively identifying, challenging, and responding to bias, harassment, and discrimination.

We recognize that this process is never complete. It is a constant journey of listening, learning, and seeking guidance and help. It is our hope that through this mission we are able to maximize our organization’s contribution to create lasting change. We hope you will join us.

We regularly review our policies and practices through a DEIA lens.

We ensure all employees have a voice and pathways to use it.

We create and maintain equal access to opportunities for everyone.

We recruit and hire with a DEIA lens through a process specifically designed to recognize and value different life paths, and actively identify and remove potential bias.

We seek out and include diverse vendors, clients, and collaborators, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and woman-owned creators.

We guide clients toward diversity, equity, and inclusion through our work in marketing their brands, products, and content.

We actively contribute to creating positive change in the lives of our community.

We leverage our voice at the table for those who aren’t.

DIVERSITY

Diversity is the presence of human difference that may include but is not limited to race, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio economic status, language, culture, national origin, religion/spirituality, age, (dis)ability, military/veteran status, political perspective, neurological/developmental conditions, social identities, social group differences, and associational preferences.

EQUITY

Equity is promoting fair and just practices and policies that ensure employees, clients, vendors and the community at large can thrive. Equity is different from equality in that equality implies treating everyone as if their experiences are exactly the same. Being equitable means acknowledging and addressing structural inequalities ­— historic and current — that advantage some and disadvantage others. Equal treatment results in equity only if everyone starts with equal access to opportunities.

INCLUSION

Inclusion is an outcome of creating a community where all members are and feel respected and heard, have a sense of belonging, and are able to participate and achieve their potential. While diversity is essential, it is not sufficient. An organization can be both diverse and non-inclusive at the same time, thus a sustained practice of creating inclusive environments is necessary for success.

ACCESS

Access is creating equitable awareness and opportunity through the identification and removal or reduction of barriers to participation in the activities and functions of our organization and community. Creating access ensures that information, services, and facilities are accessible to everyone.