Working together
to foster equity.
Built by and for Portland’s creative community.
About the Transparency Initiative
The Transparency Initiative was created by AIGA Portland’s Design For Good program. Its purpose is to focus on and develop initiatives that help to foster positive social impact on issues that greatly affect designers working and living in Portland, OR.
Where it all started
This initiative was born as an idea in late 2020. The murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless other Black people by law enforcement officials resulted in increased public awareness of structural racism and urgent calls for collective action.
A large number of creative, advertising, and marketing agencies made promises on their websites and social channels to “do better”.
They promised to elevate Black lives, hire more diverse talent, examine white privilege, donate money to organizations serving marginalized populations, and ended up posting lots of black squares.
Though there existed a desire for enduring social change during that time, studies show that these shifts were temporary and declined sharply back to baseline levels in the latter portion of 2020.
Three years later, is the industry delivering on their commitments? Creatives want to know.
*Citation: Progress and push-back…
Agency Instagram Posts
Summer 2020
Why It Matters:
It’s a boy’s club
In the advertising industry alone, 89% of creative directors are male*, and largely white.
This is a problem. Creatives with marginalized identities* in the industry lack equal access to opportunities to build their own design careers, much less in inclusive spaces that foster safety and belonging. This then limits opportunity to build financial sustainability and generational wealth over time.
According to Forbes (2019), the professional design landscape is even more shockingly asymmetric, as only .1% of creative agencies are founded by women.
*Citation: 3 Percent Movement, 2016
*Marginalized: identities that are excluded by social factors such as (but not limited to) race or ethnicity, immigration status, ability, gender, and sexual orientation.
We want agencies to make public commitments around DEI goals, and publish their journeys transparently.
Creative professionals want to feel safe in the places they work, and not have to silence or edit themselves for fear of retribution.
This initiative seeks to make visible, information that can help us foster more equitable and inclusive environments – ones where we all thrive.
It’s time for receipts. Creatives want action around diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), not more promises from the industry to do better. Many job-seekers look for these commitments when making career choices.
We hope you’ll get involved. Your help and insights are greatly needed.
Resource Hubs for Agencies and Creatives
The Resource Hub for Agencies provides resources to embed DEI into business practices. Check out the Hiring Directories, Equity Frameworks, and Orgs to Donate to.
The Resource Hub for Creatives shares opportunities for connection, wellness, and support to navigate one’s career. Check out our directory of Mentorship Programs, Internship Programs, Coaching, Affinity Meetups, Mental Health, and Legal Support.
100%
Volunteer-driven
It takes a village!
Current
Volunteers
Team Lead
Design for Good Director
Linkedin
Audrey Desler
Data Analyst, BI Developer
Linkedin
Solar Zhu
Women lead Director
Linkedin
Carmen Keating
Social Media Manager
Linkedin
Grace Zielinski
Graphic Design
Strategy
Linkedin
Brendy Hale
UX / UI Design
Linkedin
Alice Baldwin
Graphic Design
Linkedin
Alicia Plate
Product Design
Linkedin
Kristin Thomas
Past
Volunteers
This initiative wouldn’t be where it is without our 🌟 volunteers 🌟. Whether it’s 2 hours or 150, short-term or long-term help, we’re so incredibly grateful for everyone’s dedication and contributions to furthering equity.
Team Co-Lead
Strategy
UX/Web Designer
Social Media Manager
Linkedin
Janet Gonzales
Graphic Design
Data Visualizations
Linkedin
Cassie Crawford
Web/UI Design
Strategy
Linkedin
Madi Graham
Graphic Design
Linkedin
Julia Taylor
Graphic Design
Linkedin
Odul Saroz
Graphic Design
Linkedin
Michelle Wisner
Graphic Design
Linkedin
Alex Zarzhitsky
Sponsors + Partners
We thank you for your support in making this initiative a reality!
Our mission is to develop and enhance Portland design careers, welcome and connect new and seasoned members of the Portland design community, and celebrate the exceptional work and accomplishments of Portland designers at every level.
Our community is made up of AIGA members, non-members, and design enthusiasts. Our events, content, and volunteer positions are publicly accessible. We recognize that membership with AIGA is a choice, however, design is for everyone.
We focus on communication and engagement strategies that impact our community of members, non-members, and volunteers. These communication and engagement strategies help us better serve our community while ensuring that every participant feels welcomed and appreciated.
