Racism and Bias in Events

Jan Levie | August 9, 2021

People in rainbow colors hunched over at a starting line. Privilege, bias, and racism: How do you benefit or are you excluded?

Racism and Bias in Events

An article from the NYT: Not Invited, Even to the Planning

Racism and bias in the events industry are so prevalent that we’ve become blind to them.

If you are part of the event and wedding industrial complex, you need to read the above article.

This article from the August 8, 2021 NYT, explores the effects of racism, bias, cronyism, and unspoken rules in obtaining business in the events industry.

Some questions for the industry:

As an industry, what are some of the tools we have at hand to redistribute access and privilege?
How is your industry sector and your employer, or your business creating access?
What are the risks involved in openly discussing these topics?
Who is most likely to be adversely affected?
What do YOU believe the criteria should be for listing businesses as preferred partners?

The effects of these practices

This article examines some of the criteria for vendors to gain access to preferred vendor lists. Looking at how they are represented, how this access is gained, or who is denied it, is eye-opening.

The similarities between these practices, redlining and gerrymandering are striking. The results, just as insidious and long-term.

This is able to continue through self-regulated systemic policies. What are some of the ways that we, as individuals, businesses, and associations can address our privilege and work towards equity?

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