PROMOTING DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION AT SPACE150
makeSpace - Our Purpose
We are committed to promote and advance diversity, equity and inclusion within space150 and in our communities. We aspire to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their background, feel valued, included, and empowered. We do this by focusing internally on our agency and externally in our communities.
Launched in 2016, our employee led DEI team is volunteer-based and everyone is welcome to participate. Starting in 2023 we re-branded our DEI efforts to makeSpace to better reflect our purpose and commitment to makeSpace for all at space150.
Internal Initiatives
One of our primary goals throughout the full history of our DEI focused efforts has always been to recruit, retain and promote diverse talent as well as ensure people feel welcome, included and supported. Our efforts have expanded to not only include our full-time hires but also any temporary / augmented staffing, partner agencies and vendors. Some of our improvements include:
Recruitment
- Requiring all new open positions be posted on a minimum of at least three diversity focused job boards
- Utilize a list of 40+ diversity recruitment organizations / job boards / partners for outreach recruitment
- Utilize an inclusive interview guide to help reduce unconscious bias in the hiring process
Retention
- Career path mapping for clarity on job growth and opportunities
- Compensation equity process implementation and ongoing evaluation
- Continuously monitoring the effectiveness of our programs and efforts
Education & Training
- Training series partnership with The Brand Lab
- Training lead by Do The Werq
- DEI training in new hire orientation and manager training
Community Initiatives
In addition to our introspective DEI efforts to improve our work and our agency, we have recognized that systemic change requires work in our communities. Here are a few examples of how we are working to support systemic change in our communities and in our industry:
makeSpace days+
Our very own makeSpace days. Similar to a volunteer day at other agencies but for us these days are free for employees to makeSpace in their lives to volunteer, be activists, take care of their own mental health, spend time with family, etc. We help make space in our employees lives so they can show up and be their best selves for our communities and their families.
Office Hours for Women’s History Month+
Our talented female leaders hosted office hours during Women’s History Month to connect with young aspiring future leaders to offer help, advice and ongoing support.
Campaigns for a cause+
We developed an Augmented Reality campaign to help raise money for black-owned businesses in our community. Our fundraising and matching efforts were aimed at helping black-owned businesses recover and restore following riot damage in our Minneapolis community.
Events year-round +
Calendar of important cultural events to develop opportunities to observe, celebrate and/or educate.
Donations to local and national organizations+
Organizations that we have supported and donated to: Girls Who Code, Du Nord Foundation, Do The Werk, Equal Justice Initiative, Black Feminist Project, NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Black Lives Matter Global Network, Color of Change Education Fund, Las Americas, Black Alliance for Just Immigration
