NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2022 - ADCOLOR, the premier organization dedicated to celebrating and promoting professionals of color and diversity in the creative industries, today announced the nominees and honorees for its 16th Annual ADCOLOR Awards. Since 2007, the ADCOLOR Awards have highlighted and honored the achievements of historically excluded communities in the creative industries. The awards recognize those who go above and beyond to make a difference and who embody the organization's mission of "Rise Up, Reach Back."

ADCOLOR received a record number of submissions this year for its 10 categories accepting nominations, which included two new categories: ADCOLOR Influencer and DEI Executive of the Year. All nominations were carefully reviewed by more than 50 elected judges who represented a diverse range of industries, titles, levels, and backgrounds. This year's honorees in non-competitive categories were chosen by ADCOLOR's highly esteemed Board of Directors and respective partners. The full list of nominees and honorees can be found below.

"This year's record number of nominations proves that even when faced with challenges, our community will still rise to the challenge of creating meaningful work that advances diversity, equity and inclusion," said ADCOLOR Founder and President, Tiffany R. Warren. "Choosing our nominees and honorees is never an easy task, but our judges and Board members decided upon a remarkable list of individuals whose resilience and outstanding achievements will serve as an inspiration to many. We couldn't be more excited to celebrate them at our annual awards show in November."

Of note this year, ADCOLOR, in partnership with Adweek, will be honoring writer, producer, actress, and entrepreneur Issa Rae with the 2022 Beacon Award. The award honors individuals of note who use their considerable platform to change the status quo in their quest for diversity, equity and inclusion. Rae – who notably mandates that all her sets must be 60% diverse – has advocated for representation throughout her career, including her starring roles in the likes of HBO's Insecure and productions under her HOORAE banner like A Black Lady Sketch Show, Rap Sh*t and Sweet Life: Los Angeles.

"Adweek is thrilled to be celebrating Issa Rae for her incredible work and leadership," said Ann Marinovich, Chief Content Officer, Adweek. "From her award-winning web series Misadventures of an Awkward Black Girl to her groundbreaking HBO series Insecure and now with the content she's producing at her media company HOORAE, Issa has shattered boundaries in storytelling and representation. Her commitment to her native South L.A. has been just as important, as she has invested in the area's revitalization and efforts to keep the Black community thriving and successful."

The 2022 honorees and winners will be celebrated at the 16th Annual ADCOLOR Awards, set to take place on Sunday, November 20 at the JW Marriott LA Live in Los Angeles, CA. The in-person awards show will be the culmination of the organization's annual event, ADCOLOR 2022, held from November 17-20. In-person tickets for the event are now sold out, but virtual ticket options to view content post-event are still available at bit.ly/adcoloreverywhere.

For additional updates and information on the ADCOLOR Awards and ADCOLOR 2022, please follow ADCOLOR on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

ABOUT ADCOLOR
ADCOLOR® is a not-for-profit 501(c) (6) organization whose mission is to celebrate and champion diversity in the creative industries. Our process is twofold. First, we help individuals and organizations RISE UP, letting their accomplishments and ideas shine. Then we teach these new leaders and would-be-mentors how to REACH BACK and find others who deserve to be noticed and promoted. Our goal is to create a community of diverse professionals who are here to support and uplift one another. Learn more by visiting www.adcolor.org.

ADCOLOR 2022 PARTNERS
Amazon, Disney, Google | YouTube, Meta, Microsoft, Diageo, Sony Music Group, Droga5, LinkedIn, Yahoo, MSL, PublicisGroupe, TikTok, Hearst Magazines, IPG, Tripadvisor, GroupM/WPP, Block, Inc., Edelman, 72andSunny, Adobe, Condé Nast, Dentsu, Dentsu Creative, Disney Yellow Shoes, Integral Ad Science, Lionsgate | Starz, MAS, Mediahub Worldwide, MullenLowe, TBWA, Twitter, VaynerX

ADCOLOR FUTURES & LEADERS Partners
Spotify, Google | YouTube, Apple, Deutsch LA, Adobe, Delta Air Lines, Disney Yellow Shoes, Microsoft

ADCOLOR Corporate Members
The Advertising Club of New York, American Advertising Federation, Ampersand, Deutsch LA, Droga5, Energy BBDO, Google | YouTube, Instacart, JKR Global, Marc Strachan, Mark D'Arcy, McCann Worldgroup, Meta, Michele Thornton-Ghee, Microsoft, MSL, The One Club for Creativity, Richemont, Sony Music Group, Stephen Kim

ADCOLOR Vendor Partners
5WPR, Adewole Photography, Adrianne Lipscomb Graphic Design, Akande Music, Bravely, Chauncie Burton, Cevallos Brothers Productions, Chispa Hospitality, Crown + Conquer, Epidemic Sound, Isa Beltré/Plush Merchandising Consultants, Mark Clennon Photography, Progressive Wine Co., Sound Investment, Squeaky, STAMP Event Co., the STUDIO, Tabernacle, The Urban Grape, Virtual Event Site, Wendy Shanker

2022 ADCOLOR NOMINEES

Ad of The Year

Campaign: "In The Spotlight"
Client: SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young
Agency: BBDO New York
Campaign: "The Hug Project"
Client: Cox Communications
Agency: FCB Chicago
Campaign: "The Myth"
Agency: Wieden+Kennedy
Campaign: "Teenage Dream"
Client: Sandy Hook Promise
Agency: BBDO New York
Campaign: "Unbox Me"
Client: UNAIDS
Agency: FCB Chicago
ADCOLOR in Tech

Annie Jean Baptiste: Head of Product Inclusion & Equity, Google
Maria Teresa Hernandez: Vice President, Sales & Brand Partnerships, Mirriad
Shadi Nayyer: Head of Community Development, D&I & Creator Education, TikTok
ADCOLOR Influencer

Claudine James: English Teacher, TikTok Educational Content Creator
Renee Reid: Senior Manager, User Experience Research, LinkedIn
Tony Weaver, Jr.: Founder, Weird Enough Productions
DEI Executive of the Year

Kai Lawson: SVP of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, dentsu Creative
Jason Rosario: Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, BBDO Worldwide
Jeff Marshall: Chief Diversity Officer, UM
Change Agent

Cass Cruz: Senior Brand Strategy and Integrated Marketing Manager, Bose
Mira Kaddoura: Founder & Executive Creative Director, Red & Co
Trishna Shah: Director, Recruitment & People Experience, Big Spaceship
Innovator

Filippia Iboko: Director, Roundel Partner Strategy, Roundel by Target
Kamala Avila-Salmon: Head of Inclusive Content, Lionsgate
Shaheed Peera: Global Creative Partner, FCB Health, part of IPG Health Network
Rising Star

Isioma Odita: Sr. Account Manager, SMB, Twitter
Mariam Dabbious: Product Marketing Manager, Google
Rosalina Jowers: Director of Communications, Participant
Rockstar

Danielle Calhoun: Vice President, Inclusive Practices, Weber Shandwick
Devin Baker: Creative Director, 72andSunny
Tiffany Golden: Director of Community Partnerships, Wieden+Kennedy
Most Valuable Partnership (MVP)

Google & WNBA
Hologic & Cherly Overton Communications
TBWA\Chiat\Day New York & Family Equality
2022 ADCOLOR HONOREES

ADCOLOR | Adweek Beacon Award

Issa Rae: Writer, Producer, Actress & Entrepreneur
ADCOLOR | One Club Creatives

Kinney Edwards: Global Head of Creative Lab, TikTok
Rony Castor & Anthony O'Neil: Creative Directors, Goodby Silverstein & Partners (GS&P)
Advocate

Alana Mayo: President, Orion Pictures
Leanne Pittsford: CEO & Founder, Lesbians Who Tech
Catalyst

Diego Scotti: EVP and Chief Marketing Officer, Verizon
Marvin Chow: Vice President, Global Marketing, Google
Oriel Davis-Lyons: Head of Creative (Podcast+Talk), Spotify | Founder, ONE School
Legend

Jill Kelly: U.S. CEO, EssenceMediaCom
Neal Arthur: CEO, Wieden+Kennedy
Shawn Martinbrough: Artist & Writer
Lifetime Achievement

Honorees will be announced at a later date
Mr. ADCOLOR

Aaron Francois: Senior Connections Strategist & Founder, R/GA / Black Visionaries
Ms. ADCOLOR

Ivy Phan: Art Director, Grey Group
SOURCE ADCOLOR