As Women’s History Month wraps up, here at AMA Lincoln we’re reflecting on the values that have guided our chapter since its founding by Dorthy B. Clark in 1983. Diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) aren’t things we simply added to our agenda. They’re woven into everything we do.
It’s Not A Checklist. It’s How We Operate.
If you’ve attended an AMA Lincoln event, served on a committee (or the board) or mentored a young marketer through our various programs, you already know this: Our community works because everyone in it feels genuinely welcome. That’s not an accident.
DEIA efforts aren’t simple checkmarks in a box. And that commitment shows up in the big things and the small things. We continuously return to DEIA principles when planning events, selecting speakers, choosing partnerships or welcoming new members and volunteers.
A National Pledge with Local Roots
AMA Lincoln has proudly signed the American Marketing Association’s DEIA Pledge to Advance Social Justice, Racial Equity and Anti-Racism. But taking a pledge means something only if you act on it. These aren’t merely aspirational bullet points. They’re the lens through which we make decisions. When we’re planning, this framework is part of the conversation.
Our chapter has committed to concrete, ongoing action across six areas:
- Actively recruiting and retaining Black, Brown, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) within our board, leadership, volunteers and membership
- Ensuring diverse voices are reflected in our programming, thought leadership, campaigns and distribution networks
- Building a pipeline of marketers that reflects the demographics of the populations we serve
- Partnering with organizations that have demonstrated their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
- Continuing to educate ourselves about racial and social injustice – and using our platform for courageous conversations
- Holding ourselves publicly accountable by demonstrating how we’re progressing on these commitments
Our Four DEIA Goals – And What They Mean for You
For our chapter, it’s important that our work revolves around DEIA in all its forms, no matter race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or identity. We hold ourselves accountable with four main goals:
- Amplify the Underrepresented: We actively seek out diverse voices for our chapter programming, leadership positions and partnerships. That means going beyond our immediate networks to find speakers, collaborators and leaders whose perspectives reflect the full range of our community.
- Champion All: We advocate for fair access to resources and career opportunities for every marketer in our community, whether that’s through our job board, mentorship program or event programming. We want to help every marketer advance, no matter where you come from.
- Promote a Culture of Understanding: We create space for open, honest conversations…the kind that don’t always happen in a boardroom or formal setting. Our roundtables, coffee happy hours and other relaxed events are designed to provide this kind of space to be heard.
- Build the Next Generation: We partner with educational institutions and community organizations to reach students, young professionals and career changers. The Lincoln marketing community is stronger when we help the next generation of marketing professionals see themselves in it – with the support they need to get there.
What Inclusion Looks Like for Us
It’s easy to make statements. It’s harder to build structures and habits that make inclusion real. Here’s what that looks like at AMA Lincoln:
Events that meet you where you are.
Our events calendar is intentionally varied, not just in topic, but in format and feel. From our Signature Speaker luncheons to casual happy hours, roundtable discussions and hands-on Skill School workshops, we design experiences that serve different kinds of learners, schedules and comfort levels.
Some people thrive at large networking events. Others do their best connecting one-on-one over coffee or around a smaller table. We actively work to build both because belonging means that everyone’s welcome. Everyone has a seat at the table.
We’re also thoughtful about accessibility in its broadest sense: event timing, venue selection, cost and that way we communicate can all factor into whether people can actually show up.
AMA Connect
One of the most direct ways we encourage getting to know others within Lincoln’s marketing community is through AMA Connect. It’s an opportunity to build meaningful connections in a relaxed, informal setting. Three to five AMA Lincoln members meet monthly over a six-month period, with the goal of setting aside dedicated time for collaboration, growth and chill conversation.
You Belong Here
DEIA work doesn’t have a finish line. There’s always more to learn, more conversations to have and more ways to grow. What we do have is a genuine commitment to showing up for a community of marketers who care about getting it right, together.
Whether you’ve been a steady member for years, are thinking about coming to your first AMA event or are considering coming back to AMA Lincoln after a break – we want you here. Let us say it louder for the people in the back: We. Want. You. Here. Not as a diversity stat or a checked box, but because this community is better when everyone brings their whole self to it.