We want to thank co-lab member Candace Chestnut for taking the lead on drafting the anti-racist statement below. We encourage all of you to join us in these efforts and keep us accountable.

– Kristy Hurt, Founder

ANTI-RACIST STATEMENT

Heading into a new year with many industry and political changes abound, I felt it was both personally and professionally important to make a statement that reflects the values of myself, Kristy Hurt Consulting & the co-lab. Kristy Hurt Consulting and the co-lab stand unfailingly and in unity against discrimination, inequity, and racism in any form and is committed to the practice of anti-racism within our organizations and community.

It is our mission to ensure our global network is rooted in equity, diversity, and representation; understanding that by holding steadfast to these pillars, we can do our part to begin to dismantle the racism, discrimination and unconscious bias that are pervasive within the fashion, beauty, retail, and wellness spaces. We understand it is imperative that we match our words with clarity of intent and transparency around the actionable steps we are taking. As the co-lab is a member-led community, we ask that you hold us accountable to this commitment and join us in these efforts.

DIVERSITY
We aim to identify opportunities which foster diversity and representation within our channels, shared stories, events, and panels; as well as the important work of broadening participation of BIPoC, Latinx and other marginalized groups.

MEMBERSHIP
The co-lab is committed to building a networking community that represents an intersectional spectrum of people and experiences; one reflective of the world in which we live and a projection of what we’d like to see within our industries. We understand there is work to be done in this area and pledge to be transparent with our progress.

Our membership is as follows (based on a 25% response rate):

Asian 9%

Black 8%

Caucasian 73%

Hispanic/Latinx 7%

Middle Eastern <1%

South East Asian <1%

Other 2%

Acknowledging the intersectionality of minority and marginalized groups and how they show up within the beauty, fashion, retail and wellness ecosystems, we are making sure our inclusivity efforts also address LGBTQIA membership as well as that of more experienced and tenured professionals.

PERSPECTIVES
Just as we are working to broaden participation through membership, we want to also make sure our conversations, forums, and events represent and showcase the broadest scope of our collective, inviting honest discussion and opportunities for insight.

In this effort, we are actively seeking more diversity in the voices we hear and people we see when sharing, supporting, and spotlighting the careers and journeys of our community members.