Wieden+Kennedy's Strategies for Building Connections with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
Charity Pourhabib, a brand executive at Wieden+Kennedy, is using her experiences to champion change in the advertising industry. As a Hampton University alum, Pourhabib's journey offers a unique perspective on the challenges faced by Black students trying to break into the industry.
Pourhabib expresses a sentiment shared by many of her peers: a wish for more resources in the ad industry. Her experiences suggest that understanding strategy is crucial in the industry, but she laments not having had this knowledge before entering it.
During her time at an HBCU, Pourhabib felt a divide between Black and white employees in the advertising industry and experienced a lack of exposure to it. This lack of knowledge on how to break into the advertising industry was prevalent among her peers.
Pourhabib's experiences underscore the need for more representation and exposure to the advertising industry in HBCUs. The advertising industry, with less than 6% Black employees, has a long way to go in terms of diversity and inclusion.
Pourhabib's insights can help increase representation of Black employees in several impactful ways. Firstly, she can highlight systemic barriers that Black professionals often face in advertising, helping organizations recognise and address these issues.
Secondly, her perspective can inform and promote more equitable recruitment and retention strategies, encouraging employers to actively seek out and support Black talent.
Thirdly, by sharing her story, Pourhabib can serve as a mentor and advocate for upcoming Black creatives, providing guidance, encouragement, and opportunities to grow within the industry.
Fourthly, her insights can help agencies develop environments where Black employees feel valued, heard, and empowered, which is crucial for retention and career advancement.
Fifthly, her experiences can be used in training sessions and discussions to raise awareness about diversity, equity, and inclusion, helping colleagues understand the importance of representation and the benefits it brings to creativity and business outcomes.
Lastly, as a respected voice, she can participate in panels, workshops, and thought leadership that influence how the industry approaches diversity challenges, encouraging widespread change.
Pourhabib's goals include providing resources and mentorship to future students in the ad industry. She wishes she had a mentor to review her portfolio before sending it in, and she believes that portfolio review by a mentor can be beneficial in the ad industry.
Pourhabib's experiences highlight the need for more resources and mentorship in the ad industry for students. She wants to ensure that future students have an easier time breaking into the industry, and her insights offer practical and inspirational guidance that can drive meaningful progress toward greater representation and equity in advertising.
With a desire to help the next generation, Pourhabib aims to provide resources and mentorship for future students in the advertising industry. She regrets not having a mentor to review her portfolio before submitting it, suggesting that portfolio review by a mentor can be beneficial in the industry.
To create a more inclusive and equitable advertising landscape, Pourhabib plans to share her personal experiences, highlighting systemic barriers faced by Black professionals and advocating for changes in recruitment and retention strategies.
Expanding professional networks and fostering personal growth, Pourhabib's mentorship can guide up-and-coming Black creative talents through the industry, offering valuable insights on finance, lifestyle, business, education, and self-development within the advertising world.
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