We believe marketing has the power to make a difference. As innovators, strategizers, ambassadors, and storytellers, we shape narratives that communicate value, create meaning, and establish societal norms.

As chapter leaders in the AMA, we recognize inequity in our marketing community and organization and we can do more to address these gaps. We will use our platform to better help individuals and companies support diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the sector, beginning with centering and amplifying the voices of historically underrepresented groups, which include but aren’t limited to Black, brown, native/Indigenous, Asian, Pacific Islander, LGTBQIA+, women, people living with a disability or impairment, and military veterans. As a chapter of the American Marketing Association and as marketers representing a diverse set of industries and disciplines:

  • We commit to recruiting and retaining *BIPOC representation within our board of directors, leadership teams, volunteers, and membership.

  • We commit to increasing BIPOC representation throughout our products and services, thought leadership, campaigns, programming, and distribution networks.

  • We commit to building a pipeline of marketers that reflect the demographics of the populations we serve.

  • We commit to partnering with organizations that value diversity, equity, and inclusion.

  • We commit to further educating ourselves as to the plight of racial injustice and will use our platform to facilitate courageous conversations that promote anti-bias and anti-racism within the marketing community.

  • We commit to creating an environment that accommodates the needs of individuals of all abilities 

Together, we will use the power of our collective voices to outline the roles marketers can play in standing for and delivering on inclusion; the ideals, values, and principles that promote equality, respect, and unity.

*BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous, and people of color. At AMA PDX, we use the term "historically marginalized communities" to more inclusively represent diverse groups. 

Join in the Conversation

Cup of Equity

In October 2024, AMA PDX launched Cup of Equity, a quarterly in-person event designed to engage in meaningful conversations about diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) within the marketing community. These moderated discussions provide a safe space for local marketers and communicators to explore the challenges and complexities of equity work. While you may not walk away with all the answers, you’ll leave with fresh perspectives and a deeper understanding of these crucial issues. Join us for these meaningful conversations every quarter, moderated by the AMA DEIA Committee at no cost. 

  • Next Cup of Equity: TBD

Get Involved

Educational Resources

  • Check out our blog: Read timely blog posts about meaningful ways to incorporate diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging into your daily operations.

  • DEIA Toolkit: AMA members get exclusive access to local community partner connections, inclusive communications and event planning practices, and more.

 FAQs

  • DEIA stands for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

    • Diversity: The presence and representation of varied identities, perspectives, and experiences including race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, language, (dis)ability, age, religious commitment, and/or political perspective.

    • Equity: The fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people, while at the same time identifying and eliminating barriers that have prevented some groups from thriving.

    • Inclusion: An outcome to ensure people feel valued and welcomed.

    Accessibility: Identifying the needs of individuals of all abilities and creating an environment that accommodates those needs.

  • Not only is DEIA the right thing to do for the betterment of humanity, but it is also a business priority for increasing innovation and revenue. It fosters a more inclusive workplace culture, leading to increased innovation, better decision-making, improved employee morale, enhanced talent attraction and retention, and a positive company reputation, ultimately contributing to greater business success. 

    Embracing DEIA can enrich our lives, both personally and professionally, and is vital to businesses and organizations’ continued success.

  • Systemic racism and the events that have unfolded across America, particularly the unjust killing of George Floyd, have catalyzed an urgent reminder of the continued change needed in our society. George Floyd’s death is a continuation of the long history of criminalization, dehumanization, and oppression of Black lives in this country since its founding. As an organization committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, the AMA acknowledges its responsibility and obligation to stand up for these ideals.

  • Historical inaction and silence have led to structural policies, practices, and systems that continue to create significant disparities for people of color. Across areas like health, education, income, and incarceration, racial inequities are consistently the most pronounced. By centering racial equity, we acknowledge our responsibility to address these systemic issues and confront the root causes of society’s greatest challenges. Addressing other forms of inequity requires first acknowledging and tackling the pervasive role of race.

  • The AMA stands against all forms of oppression, including racism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, and many others. Focusing on racial equity doesn’t mean ranking types of oppression or ignoring the experiences of women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people living with disabilities, or low-income communities. By addressing race, we aim to create positive change for everyone.

  • For AMA to retain its position as a relevant force and voice-shaping marketing around the world, the organization must remain connected and engaged in issues, topics, and current events in the world. Demographics are changing across the country including the local communities and memberships each chapter serves. Each AMA chapter must do better to include and embrace its multicultural communities. A 2020 Marketing Week Career and Salary Survey revealed that a staggering 88% of the 3,883 respondents identified as white, with just 4% identifying as mixed race, 5% as Asian, and 2% as Black. AMA must act to move and prepare the industry for an increasingly global economy and workforce.

  • Important work is progressing at AMA PDX, but it cannot be the work of some or most of us – we must all be engaged as DEIA is a lifelong commitment. This is a critical time that calls on our community and sector to take a deep, honest reflection and make necessary structural changes to dismantle privilege and racism. Join us on this journey, sign up to volunteer now.