ADCOLOR, the premier organization dedicated to celebrating and promoting professionals of color and diversity in the creative industries, today announced its 2022 class of ADCOLOR FUTURES and the inaugural class of ADCOLOR LEADERS. The two talent programs build upon ADCOLOR’s “Rise Up, Reach Back” motto, encompassing those just beginning their career and those well-established in their respective industry.

Launched in 2012, the ADCOLOR FUTURES program identifies and nurtures the next generation of leaders who have one to three years of experience in their industry. Now in its 11th year, the program provides training, mentorship and empowerment to selected young professionals with the goal of supporting the talent of tomorrow, today.

After an extensive application and interview process, 30 young professionals were chosen as the 2022 class of ADCOLOR FUTURES. These individuals showcase strong leadership potential, sustained involvement in reaching back, interest in partnering with leadership to drive change through DE&I initiatives and innovative thinking to solve today’s problems. As part of the program, the 30 FUTURES will be immersed in ADCOLOR University, an intensive training facilitated by top-ranked leadership and talent consulting firms. They will also partake in the annual FUTURES Hackathon, presented by Apple.

To add upon this prestigious FUTURES program, ADCOLOR, together with Google, launched the ADCOLOR LEADERS program earlier this year. This program aims to support historically excluded professionals with 15+ years of experience in creative industries as they rise to executive roles.

From the many applications received, 30 emerging leaders were selected as the inaugural class of LEADERS. Those chosen as LEADERS are in a position to institute change in their field, believe in the power of diversity and display a passion to champion DE&I for the long term. The inaugural program will feature cutting-edge workshops, discussions with thought leaders and curated exercises encouraging self-exploration. The aim is for participants to walk away from the program with a renewed sense of purpose, a reinvigorated approach to their work, and meaningful relationships to propel them to the next level.

The 2022 classes of ADCOLOR FUTURES and ADCOLOR LEADERS can be found below.

“This is an exciting year for ADCOLOR as we see our talent program expanding beyond young professionals and encompassing seasoned professionals as well – two groups I believe can inspire and learn from one another,” said Criseli Saenz, Director of ADCOLOR Programs. “This year’s classes of FUTURES and LEADERS embody the fortitude and determination of our #StillRising theme. As current and future leaders, they are bound to make a lasting impact on their respective industries, not only as promising professionals, but as true advocates of diversity, equity and inclusion.”

Both programs offer sponsorship to attend ADCOLOR 2022, taking place November 17-20 at the JW Marriott LA Live in Los Angeles, CA. ADCOLOR 2022 – which encompasses the 16th Annual ADCOLOR Awards, the ADCOLOR Conference and the FUTURES and LEADERS programs – marks the highly anticipated return to a fully in-person gathering following a virtual-only event in 2020 and a smaller, hybrid event in 2021.

To learn more about the FUTURES and LEADERS programs, please visit https://adcolor.org/futures and https://adcolor.org/leaders. For additional updates and information on ADCOLOR 2022, please follow ADCOLOR on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

ABOUT ADCOLOR

ADCOLOR® is a not-for-profit 501(c) (6) organization whose mission is to celebrate and champion diversity in the creative industries. Our process is twofold. First, we help individuals and organizations RISE UP, letting their accomplishments and ideas shine. Then we teach these new leaders and would-be-mentors how to REACH BACK and find others who deserve to be noticed and promoted. Our goal is to create a community of diverse professionals who are here to support and uplift one another. Learn more by visiting www.adcolor.org.

ADCOLOR FUTURES & LEADERS Partners

Spotify, Google | YouTube, Apple, Deutsch LA, Adobe, Delta Air Lines, Disney Yellow Shoes, Microsoft

ADCOLOR 2022 PARTNERS

Amazon, Disney, Google | YouTube, Meta, Microsoft, Diageo, Sony Music Group, Droga5, LinkedIn, Yahoo, MSL, PublicisGroupe, TikTok, Hearst Magazines, IPG, Tripadvisor, GroupM/WPP, Block, Inc., Edelman, 72andSunny, Adobe, Condé Nast, Dentsu, Dentsu Creative, Disney Yellow Shoes, Integral Ad Science, Lionsgate | Starz, MAS, Mediahub Worldwide, MullenLowe, TBWA, Twitter, VaynerX

ADCOLOR Corporate Members

The Advertising Club of New York, American Advertising Federation, Ampersand, Deutsch LA, Droga5, Energy BBDO, Google | YouTube, Instacart, JKR Global, Marc Strachan, Mark D’Arcy, McCann Worldgroup, Meta, Michele Thornton-Ghee, Microsoft, MSL, The One Club for Creativity, Richemont, Sony Music Group, Stephen Kim

ADCOLOR Vendor Partners

5WPR, Adewole Photography, Adrianne Lipscomb Graphic Design, Akande Music, Bravely, Chauncie Burton, Cevallos Brothers Productions, Crown + Conquer, Epidemic Sound, Isa Beltré/Plush Merchandising Consultants, Mark Clennon Photography, Sound Investment, Squeaky, STAMP Event Co.,  the STUDIO, Tabernacle, Virtual Event Site, Wendy Shanker

2022 ADCOLOR FUTURES

• Alexa Padron: Copywriter, TBWA\Chiat\Day New York
• Alyssia Jackson: Resume Coach, ProjectBasta
• Anne Julliene (Joan) Barcelona: Product Manager, Box
• Brody Cook: Coordinator, Player Marketing, Major League Baseball
• Brooke Edwards: Executive Assistant, Chief Content & Studios Officer, Headspace Health
• Caleb Dawkins: Art Director, FleishmanHillard Chicago
• Camaryn McKenzie: Associate Brand Marketing Manager, Google
• Christyna Conway: Account Manager Associate, Google
• Elyse Nganwuchu: Producer, R/GA
• Gabrielle Benson: Inclusion and Engagement Specialist, Integral Ad Science
• Illen Asmerom: Creative Strategist, Meta
• Imani Yorker: Digital Strategist, Edelman
• Isabeth Mendoza: U.S./Canada Editor, Apple Podcasts
• Kamillah Collins: Strategic Planner, BBDO New York
• Kayla Griffis: Senior Strategist, Saatchi & Saatchi
• Kevin Kim: Senior Analyst, Product Development, Mastercard
• Loryn Hairston: Associate Product Marketing Manager, Google
• Makia Jones: Digital Engagement Manager, Progressive Promotions
• Makisha Noel: Social Media Strategist, Ogilvy
• Mario Williams: Account Supervisor, Wieden+Kennedy
• Omar Murphy: Partner Manager, Westbrook Media
• Patricio Ramos: AMP Marketing Associate, Spotify
• Riane Capalad: Editorial Intern, Oprah Daily
• Sequaña Williams-Hechavarria: Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Program Manager, 72andSunny
• T’Essence Minnitee: Development & Current Programming Coordinator, OWN Network
• Tiffany Leung: DEI Program Manager, Amazon
• Tosha Studmire: Web Marketing Manager, 23andMe
• Walter Little: Account Manager, Meta
• Yohanny Capellan: Project Manager & Creative Strategist
• Zach Wright: Strategist, 72andSunny

2022 ADCOLOR LEADERS

• A Hunter Sunrise: SVP/Head of Marketing, Postclick and Instapage
• Adwoa Frimpong: Former Global Marketing Program Director, IBM
• Alex Parraga: Chief Digital Officer, UC Santa Barbara
• Amber Laws: Sr. Solutions Manager, Amazon
• Andrea Harry Bibbs: Former Vice President, Ad Sales Marketing and Studio Operations, Warner Bros. Discovery
• Anita Schillhorn: Director of Strategy, Mckinney
• Archana Mahadevan: VP, Strategy Director, DDB
• Bart Van de Vel: Global Program Manager, Meta
• Chris Lin: Head of Marketing, Google Fi at Google
• Courtney Richardson: Creative Director, Droga5
• Danielle Bias: Director of Partner Relations, Global Corporate Communications, Audible (an Amazon company)
• Elaine Bragg: VP, Creative Director, TPN (an Omnicom company)
• Jacqueline Jones LaMon : Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Adelphi University
• Jessalin Lam: VP Member Development & Diversity, Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB)
• Karla Cobreiro: Vice President, Quinn PR
• Kristen Marston: Chief Impact Officer, The League
• Lily Ng: Head of Data Strategy, Droga5
• Lois Castillo: Head of DEI, Basis Technologies
• Marques Zak: Director, Cultural Platforms, American Express
• Megan Hall: EVP, Executive Creative Director, Entrée Health
• Melissa Bonnick: Executive Director, Head of Programmatic & Ad Operations, JP Morgan Chase & Company
• Neisha Tweed Bell: Global Head of Inclusive Content & Experiences, Meta
• Oyinda Elias: Group Account Director, Droga5
• Raphaella Martins Antonio: Program Manager, Creative X, Meta
• Sarab Al-Jijakli: VP of Brand and Content Marketing, Gannett | USA TODAY Network
• Shannon Womack: Director, Brand Marketing, Delta Air Lines
• Simeon Coker: Creative Development Manager, Twitter
• Syma Mian: US Agency Lead, TikTok
• Valerie L. Williams-Sanchez, PhD: Vice President, Cultural Intelligence & Relevance, Blue Chip Marketing WorldWide
• Vivian Odior: Global Head of Brand, WhatsApp