Addressing Systemic Challenges
Advancing Sustainable Change.

Vision

Vanguard envisions an industry where amplifying and catalyzing the actions for Black employees' achievement will build a future where they are seen for their limitless talent.

Statement

Vanguard provides a platform for growth, impact and exposure of participants, leaders and organizations committed to preparing Black talent and the industry for a lifetime of sustainable success.

The Challenge

The Black Lives Matter
movement is spurring discussions about racial equity in the workplace.

Industry leaders
are trying to understand how to practically undo policies that disadvantage Black and POC employees in the industry.

From promoting diverse employees to leadership roles, 
to capturing and analyzing data, to recognizing intersectionality, the challenge requires a multi-path solution.

Racism is ingrained in our society
as a result, it’s deeply ingrained in our workplaces, too.

What Does it mean to be an
​Anti-Racist Organization?

Our industry has promoted many diversity and inclusion initiatives over the years,
the idea of being explicitly anti-racist may be a newer concept to most.

To be anti-racist is to acknowledge the permanence of racism 
through organizations, industries, communities and in individuals, and to recognize that racism is a system of disproportionate opportunity and penalties based on skin color. 

Racism can manifest in 
policies, procedures, unspoken norms and routines that push into different paths of opportunity, where some individuals have greater access and others have less, due to race.  

If we want to see true racial equity, then we must
promote Black talent to leadership positions,
​hear their voices and perspectives.

​Vanguard Program

Vanguard is designed to provide a framework for the industry to ensure more diverse and inclusive leadership in the future.

The year-long program addresses professional, organizational, cultural and personal needs of the leaders, agencies and Black employee participants (Fellows).​  ​

The Vanguard program centers on fellowship, sponsorship, coaching, mentorship and organizational learning.​

Leaders explore what it means to be a transformative Black leader through historical context, gaining the skills necessary to actualize Black leadership in everyday work. 

The Vanguard program is truly about advancing the needs of the fellow collectively.

Goals

Promote opportunity and possibility within Black employee communities. 

Expand the number of Black leaders in the industry by creating a clear, cohesive and recognized succession pathway.

Provide agency leadership with the skills and support to drive cultural change.

Encourage and facilitate common language and understanding across the agency.

Networking among aspiring Black talent and industry leaders.
​
Driving change; making the industry more attractive to Black people.

What are you willing to do to help change your industry for a lifetime?

ROI

1. Develop a short-term succession plan for high potential Black talent into leadership. ​

2. Develop one-to-one relationships between CEO and leaders with Black employees through participants, providing an opportunity to amplify their voices, understand challenges and be actively involved/lead the change within the organization. (Be the advocate for change through active participation)​

3. Demonstrate to clients your commitment to change not just with words, but with actions. ​

4. CEO/Leader peer connection to discuss systemic challenges and collectively drive change that will impact the whole industry

To all partners interested in Vanguard: if you have any questions or would like to connect about specific details and partner offerings, please reach out to Stacey Abreu and Helena Nourzad.

Partnership team:
Stacey Abreu, Director, Projects and Engagement, sabreu@aaaa.org
Helena Nourzad,  Sr. Associate, Projects & Engagement, hnourzad@aaaa.org