In San Francisco, Agencies Confront Their Failed Promise of Racial Diversity

Black employees say microaggressions and narrow recruiting remain the norm

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San Francisco’s creative agencies pride themselves on the progress they’ve made in terms of gender balance and LGBTQ inclusion, but the agency experience is far different for Black agency professionals in the city. 

From the high cost of living and gentrification to the tendency to recruit through traditional talent pipelines rather than look actively in more diverse Bay Area communities, talent of color and inclusivity advocates tell Adweek San Francisco faces a confluence of many issues that limit possibilities for minority talent in creative industries.

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