CFDA creates separate Black advisory board

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) has created a
separate Black advisory board responsible for all CFDA efforts on
inclusivity, diversity and equality, to bring about
“systemic change” within the fashion industry.

The strategic plans it states have been outlined to create “pathways and
programming to combat systemic racism and racial inequity in fashion” and
to create more opportunities for Black talent in the industry.

“In June, we outlined specific initiatives with the goal of bringing an
end to racial injustice in the fashion industry,” said Tom Ford, chairman
of the CFDA board of directors in a statement. “The organisation has put in
place a structure to execute this strategy and we are firmly committed to
creating systematic change in our industry that will empower the critical
voices that need to be heard.”

The new CFDA Black advisory board will be led by CFDA president CaSandra
Diggs, , after
serving as the CFDA’s chief administrative and financial officer.

CFDA to support Black fashion talent with a new advisory board chaired
by Tracy Reese

The board will be chaired by executive board vice chairwoman Tracy
Reese. The CFDA states that the fashion designer was chosen as she leads
“decision-making and vision in this important work”.

Joining her on the board will be Harper’s Bazaar editor-in-chief Samira
Nasr, Netflix chief marketing officer Bozoma Saint John, Fashion Tech
Connects co-founder Stacie Henderson, and Martin Cooper, CFDA member and
co-founder of The Punctilious Mr. P’s Place Cards Company.

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“We are bringing together an impressive group of esteemed industry
colleagues to collectively help us build a framework for increased
diversity, equity, and inclusion in fashion,” Diggs said.

In addition, the CFDA also announced that Bonnie Morrison will join the
organisation in a newly created role to “lead the strategy and execution of
CFDA equity program initiatives with the goal of building opportunities for
Black creatives and professionals in fashion”.

In her new role, Morrison will help support and execute new initiatives
including the newly created CFDA task force and talent placement programme
created for Black creatives and professionals in the American fashion
industry. Morrison, who recently founded the Morrison Strategy Partners
consultancy, has previously held positions at Coach, Condé Nast, KCD, and
PR Consulting.

CFDA chief executive, Steven Kolb added: “These fundamental changes to
the organisation allow us to bring important perspectives to the fashion
industry. They will play an instrumental role in our efforts to transform
the fashion system and make it more diverse, inclusive, and equitable.”

The CFDA first announced that it would combat systemic racism in the
fashion industry in June, in response to the ongoing Black Lives Matter
movement, where it said it was formulating four initiatives, including
creating an in-house employment programme and mentorship scheme for Black
talent.

Image: pictured Tracy Reece and Bonnie Morrison via CFDA website