WAATBP has a long tradition of opening with a bang, and 2020's conference was no exception! We kicked things off this year with a keynote speech by renowned criminal justice reform activist and political commentator Van Jones.

While many recognize him in his role as a popular host on CNN, Jones has long been an active campaigner for justice. Among numerous other accomplishments over the past 25+ years, Jones helped lead the charge for Congress to pass the FIRST STEP Act in 2018. Today he serves as the CEO of REFORM Alliance, an organization dedicated to dramatically reforming the US criminal justice system.

In today's social, political, and business climate, there is an even more urgent need for anti-racist leadership at this moment in the United States' history. Michelle Wonsley-Ford's talk explored the complexities of leading and managing during this time as well as the importance of developing a critical racial analysis, regardless of your industry or role.

To know your history, is to know your future. Cheryl D. Miller tells us where we’ve been and is definitely showing us where we are going!

In this Masterclass, we provide viewers with five critical skills specifically geared towards leveling up their career.

The conversation of diversity in the advertising industry has been going on for a very long time. Talent has been a revolving topic around many initiatives, programs, conferences, and water coolers for the same amount of time. In a virtual world, we need virtual solutions to get entry-level talent past the job boards into the interview chair and eventually landing a role.

In order to improve our industry’s diversity dilemma, it is not only imperative that we invite more people of color into the fold, but we also must also educate and encourage more young people of color to want to be in our profession. In this Masterclass, you can learn how to develop successful diversity pipeline initiatives for high school and college students.

When you’re just starting out, working your way to the very top seems like an unachievable goal. In this Masterclass, you’ll learn early steps you can take to get on track to becoming a Chief Marketing Officer.

More than craft, schooling, or frameworks — a unique point of view on the world is what every star strategist has. It’s the intangible that sets you apart. However, learning to harness and wield it isn’t easy. In this Masterclass, you will be given three places to start as you begin bringing your unique POV to every brief, audit, and study you do.

George Floyd died on May 25, 2020 and his death stirred the world. While most of Corporate America saw us for the first time, black creatives, per usual stepped into action. During this conversation, three black creatives highlight who created movements to improve diversity, celebrate blackness, and protest anti-racism.

Angela Davis said, “I have a hard time accepting diversity as a synonym for justice. Diversity is a corporate strategy.”

While having a diverse workplace is vital, diversity cannot exist without equity and inclusion. Hear from industry leaders about how to retain diverse talent and create a workplace that makes space for everyone.

BLM shook Corporate America to its core. Some companies got the message right while others seriously fumbled the ball. During this panel you'll hear from brands and agencies about what it means to truly stand in solidarity and put your money where your mouth is.

Black women face a unique struggle in the workplace: combating both racism and sexism. On this panel, Black women at all stages of their career will discuss obstacles, triumphs and how to make it to the top.

WAATBP founders Jimmy Smith and Jeff Goodby are joined by Sherina Florence of Ogilvy to discuss how the event came to be 10 years ago and what the future holds for diversity in the advertising industry today.