How to share company values about diversity without it looking like a marketing scheme? | William Hardaway (2 of 5)
"Lose the word diversity." William Hardaway explains why the term signals inaction to people of color and urges brands to move beyond performative language toward transparency, equity, and inclusion — because real change requires admitting what you're still working on.
Show Notes
In This Episode
William Hardaway confronts one of the hardest questions brands face today: how can you share company values about embracing diversity without it coming across as a marketing scheme? His answer is direct — ditch the word "diversity" entirely. Will explains why decades of overuse have emptied the term of meaning, and why brands need to move toward transparency, inclusion, and equity instead of signaling.
Key Takeaways
- The word "diversity" has become a signal of inaction for people of color — it often means a company is checking a box rather than driving real change
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion are a package deal — you cannot claim one without doing the work on all three
- Companies fear that transparency about internal issues (like racism or pay gaps) will hurt their market value, but that fear is unfounded and prevents progress
- Instead of using diversity as a buzzword in mission statements, brands should define what specific impact they want to have and demonstrate it through action
About William Hardaway
William Hardaway works at the intersection of social justice and design thinking. After working in each field separately for over a decade, Will combined these two disciplines to drive change in an industry that unites people and crosses borders.
Connect
- Hosted by Adam Matossian and Alicia Jones
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