Despite the headlines, rollbacks, and legal battles, the conversation around race has never been more crucial for marketers and businesses. While diversity and inclusion (D&I) often dominate discussions, doing so serves only as adistraction from the broader concerns surrounding the racial dynamics embedded in our society. The issues of race aren’t simply about diversity. They are structural and historical and are tethered to the fabric of consumer behavior.

Race has been a determining factor in shaping how consumers experience various markets, from grocery stores to hospitals. It’s not enough for companies to aim for a "diverse" customer base. They must understand the unique racial dynamics at play. Without acknowledging the social and historical factors behind these dynamics, marketing strategies fall flat and fail to resonate with the very consumers they aim to engage.

However, addressing race in marketing requires deeper engagement with communities, not just performative gestures. Companies often fall into the trap of "woke-washing," offering initiatives that sound good but lackauthentic connection. Consumers, especially those from marginalized groups, can quickly see through these disingenuous efforts. This can damage the trustbusinesses work hard to build, which is crucial for lasting brand loyalty. A meaningful, long-term focus on racial equity, in both action and strategy, is essential for companies to succeed in this increasingly diverse market.

The latest generation of marketers is entering the workforce with a heightened awareness of these issues, but they face significant challenges when discussing race within a business context. Learning to address these issues with sensitivity and data-backed insights will ensure that brands not only avoidperpetuating harmful stereotypes but also foster more genuine, inclusive relationships with their audiences.

In this episode of The New Mainstream podcast, Dr. Sonya A. Grier, Kogod Eminent Scholar Chair in Marketing at the Kogod School of Business at American University, examines how race influences consumer behavior and why businesses must go beyond diversity to create inclusive marketplaces.

Meet Dr. Sonya A. Grier:

Sonya A. Grier is the Kogod Eminent Scholar Chair in Marketing, at the Kogod School of Business at AmericanUniversity. Her expertise spans issues of race, diversity, and equity at the intersection of markets and society. She has examined the racial dynamics underlying consumption issues in gentrifying neighborhoods, digital marketing to youth of color, and racialized food marketing. Sonya builds on her expertise to identify how inclusive marketing practices can enhance individual, community, and societal well-being.She shares her research in academic journals, photographic narratives, and two award-winning documentary films. Sheremains connected to practice through consultations with diverse organizations across business, government, and non-profit sectors. Dr. Grier is a co-founder and current President of the Race in the Marketplace (RIM) Research Network, which has nurtured the sub-field aimed at advancing our understanding of the role of race in markets.

Influencer marketing has evolved into a powerful strategy for brands looking to engage diverse audiences. Influencers leverage their broad reach to drive awareness and inspire consumer buy-in, while creator marketing enables passionate content creators to engage and connect with niche communities. Brands are increasingly incorporating both approaches into their communication strategies, with social media being a key platform.

However, with both approaches, the goal goes beyond brand visibility. It’s about achieving third-party validation, where trusted voices, such as influencers or creatives, endorse a brand. While these endorsements may be paid, the willingness of these individuals to put their reputations on the line for a brand speaks volumes. This is essential for building consumer trust, as audiences connect more deeply with authentic experiences shared by relatable individuals than with traditional advertising.

A key aspect of this is ensuring that influencers and creators genuinely reflect the audiences brands aim to reach and ensure they are compensated fairly based on engagement and reach. By prioritizing this, brands can cultivate stronger,long-term relationships with influencers and creators. This approach benefits all parties—influencers and creators feel valued, and brands gain more authentic brand advocacy.

One of the biggest mistakes brands make with creator and influencer marketing is dictating content rather than trusting the influencer or creator to do what initially drew the brand to them. While key messaging is necessary, giving them thefreedom to be creative ensures the content feels natural and authentic. When they seamlessly integrate brand messages into their content, it enhances both engagement and credibility.

In this episode of The New Mainstream Podcast, Gabe Mederos, Vice President of Creator Marketing with Edelman, discusses the importance of authenticity, diversity, and relationship-building in creator and influencer marketing.

Meet Gabe: Gabe is a creator marketing professional with extensive experience in influencer relations, strategy development, content strategy, analytics, and leadership. AUniversity of Toronto graduate with over 19 years of PR and communications experience in corporate, not-for-profit and government, Gabe has completed his social media and digital marketing certification. Gabe has held senior digitalroles at top Canadian brands such as Scotiabank, TELUS, and Nestlé Purina PetCare.

Gabe is currently a Vice President of Creator Marketing at Edelman, where he heads up the creator marketing function for an assortment of clients in Canada, including Samsung, Microsoft, PepsiCo, and eBay. Gabe is also an Instructor at Humber College, where he teaches social media and digital marketing.

The transition from working in large companies to owning a startup is a journey of both challenge and opportunity. For many entrepreneurs, it's a chance to reconnect with their passions, streamline their offerings, and create deeperemotional connections with clients. However, all companies, regardless of size, must navigate the complexities of maintaining a strong brand identity and making decisions that align with their core values.

In today’s competitive marketplace, companies are not only navigating fluctuations in market demand but also facing intense scrutiny in the court of public opinion. Take Target, for example. Once celebrated for its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and its thoughtful multicultural marketing campaigns, the retailer now faces boycotts from consumers and the loss of popular brands that once graced its shelves.

As many brands discovered in 2020, companies that stay true to their mission, vision, and values resonate more deeply with consumers. People invest in brands that align with their values, and when companies genuinely uphold their principles, their community will support them.

In this episode of The New Mainstream Podcast, Maribel Lara, Founder of Beget Love Consulting, shares insights on her journey into entrepreneurship and how authenticity can helpbrands thrive, even when faced with challenges.