Honorable Mentions

The following were resources were mentioned in the group by fellow members:

Thank you to Donna Forsythe, owner of Lehigh Valley Celebrants and Celebrant Academy, for sharing her story, experience, and advice. 

Resources for including diversity in your messaging:

Images:
Purchase Illustration Packs
Design Your Own Humans 
Disability Inclusive Stock Images

Hashtags:
Inclusion Hashtags
Diversity Hashtags

Social Media accounts to follow:
@thejeffreymarsh
@kait_masters
@glographics
@parentstogether

How to Do Diverse and Inclusive Content Marketing That Matters
Guide to Diversity & Inclusion in Modern Advertising
Guide to Allyship
How to Create an Inclusive, Empowered Brand Statement
Acronyms Explained
Ableism Language

PDF Downloads

Main Takeaways from the Meeting Notes

“Inclusion and diversity require embracing the opportunity to think differently and genuinely valuing the inclusion of diverse voices in your content marketing."- How to Do Diverse and Inclusive Content Marketing That Matters

Tokenism is often taken advantage of in lieu of actually taking action and implementing change

Acceptance vs Tolerance 

Customer Journey
    -What can you do to make your customer/client experience exceptional in every way?
     -Have you ever mapped out your customer journey?
     -People usually find you first via your website or social media. What are the first impressions someone might have on your website or social media? 
     -Start with what you believe to be your customers’ pain points 
    -Fears, concerns, or questions they have regarding your industry/business

Audit Your Online Presence
     -Audit yourself on a regular basis! 
     -Ask friends to give feedback.
      -Emails & Correspondence
      -Check your emails and the language you use in all of your correspondence as well as any materials or resources you send clients. 
       -Are you asking the questions that let them know you are open to all, and want to hear their perspective? Do you include your pronouns and ask them for theirs?

"Building good customer experience doesn’t happen by accident, it happens by design.”- Clare Muscutt

Re-Evaluating Your Foundations
Code of Ethics, Vision and Mission Statements 

Re-Defining Your Business Goals 
     -Diverse and Inclusive Business Practices
     -Do you network with a diverse group of people? How could this help your business? Do you refer business to others who are not “like you”
     -Do you connect with other professionals who are in your same line of work? Are you inclusive with this group?
     -What are your board of affiliations, volunteer work, who donate to?

Action Items
     - Start doing projects that bring these subjects to light or educate your target audience on these issues, whether reassuring them you are inclusive or helping others on how to be more inclusive. 
     -Consider doing a styled shoot, and authentically represent your target groups. 
    -Do a blog feature to speak on these topics either on your website to share online or pitch yourself to a magazine, online blog, etc. 
    -Collaborate on a project or offer feature in a newsletter