#28DaysofDiversity: Amani Channel @urbanreporter
As we all know, February is Black History Month. It’s a month where we honor those who have made an impact on American culture for equal rights, those who have invented, those who have a helped others and those who have inspired everyone to be the best they can be. Not only as a person of color but as a human.
As someone in the technology/web/social space, I often travel and attend various events in the industry and notice a huge lack of diversity, and when it comes to getting attention from mainstream media/tech blogs it’s almost impossible. That said on Day 2 of 28 Days of Diversity I would like to introduce to some and present to others: Amani Channel. Find out more about Amani on SocialWayne.com
Category: News | Tags: 28 days of diversity, amani channel, urbanreporter, wayne sutton
About the Author Angela Benton is the Founder and Publisher of BlackWeb20.com. Her experience spans a variety of industries including consultative relationships with companies such as UPS, Bizjournals.com, Realestate.com, and Lendingtree.com.
See all posts by Angela.
Thanks Gwen for your rundown – but again you have done nothing for the advancement of bloggers or publishers in the space.
1. All of the things you mentioned though are opportunities for “bloggers” they are more so press impressions for Ford. You know – bragging rights to say of “we love bloggers – we invite them to our events”. Though you may see this as helping Gwen – it's not. You are aiding in the major problem of brands and companies wanting to use bloggers and publishers for free. You want them to talk about you and give energy and word of mouth to your brand but you NEVER once think about them as a valued media partner – if you and your company really did we would see more Ford ads and Ford sponsored events by these same people you like to mention that you helped.
2. For Blogalicious – that's great that they are allowing you to speak at events — but can you list 5 blogs that you met from the conference that you can say Ford plans on working with this upcoming ad quarter or event quarter. You need to stop confusing your speaking opportunities as something that's helping others. Ok – you took some bloggers out to eat – can you tell me if you have followed up and helped push them up and coming properties to your bosses. Have you been successful? I don't think so. Ford and you did what every other company does – wow us with dinner and give us your card and disappear until next year then do it all again. No movement, no progress – just broken promises.
3. Essence is not a blog or as we say in the blogosphere —- “a member of the family”. We expect you to work with Essence. As you do make sure they get some of your budget every year — right?
4. Loaning out cars is not helping in the space – that's the least you can do when a large number of AA purchase Fords every year and some of your consumers are bloggers. Know this – ask any one those people you are so happy about loaning a car too if they would much rather have an ad campaign or partner with Ford for a revenue generating opportunity. And can I note you are not loaning the car for long periods of time – what 1-7 days and do you comp gas? Right….
In Conclusion, while I understand you have been at Ford for only 6 months – you and your company do not deserve to be listed as someone helping new media/bloggers. You want to seem like you are really doing something when really – if a proposal comes across your desk from one of the people that you mentioned or anyone of color in the space you look at it and call it a day.
You really need to learn what the difference in being someone who is really trying to help and putting your money where your mouth is from someone who landed a job and just trying to keep it.
As the person in the position you are you could be doing a lot more. Or maybe you just don't have the power and are just a puppet. And Gwen if that is the case – stop acting like you are really doing something for us and just continue to work with the non-blacks pushing their agenda and blogs. As we already know they get a piece of your budget way easier than us. As Chris Rock said – the black man has to fly to what a white man can walk to — and you Gwen are walking right along that white man.
Well – I hope you got the attention you wanted. Since you are that social media trailblazer you would like to be. (Not).
Take care and this was fun.