According to WAATBP, it is an annual gathering that exists to address and correct the lack of diversity within the ad industry.

The group says that the conference's aim is to bring together Black voices from across the ad community — from eager students to C-suite leaders — to celebrate successes, examine setbacks and assert their rightful place at the table alongside their allies.

2022 marks the first time WAATBP will be a hybrid event, with the first day online and the second in person at Convene at Brookfield Place, 225 Liberty street in downtown New York.

The group says that in order to make the event as accessible as possible, the attendance at WAATBP will be free to attend.

According to the conference, while other industry diversity events are confined to addressing topics from the stage, WAATBP stands apart by also providing one-on-one portfolio reviews by top agency creatives.

Additionally, it offers one-on-one recruiting opportunities for mid-level creatives who want to advance their careers and students looking to break into the industry. For the first time, a wellness and meditation room will also be available.

On Wednesday, 6 October, individuals can expect the following:
  • virtual panels (including one specifically focused on industry people of colour in Europe)
  • portfolio reviews, and
  • recruiting sessions.
The second day kicks off with a keynote speaker to be announced shortly, followed by:
  • additional engaging panels
  • recruiting booths, and
  • portfolio reviews.
Also new in 2022 will be a pair of workshops hosted by Allies in Recruiting (AIR), which recently became part of The One Club for Creativity. WAATBP Champion and Platinum sponsors will have access to an interview prep workshop before the conference, and an inclusive hiring workshop afterwards.

The event concludes with a paid-admission networking after-party featuring a live performance from RNBHouseparty.

Event sponsors to date include:
  • 72andSunny
  • BSSP
  • McCann Worldgroup
  • Pereira O'Dell
  • Sandstrom Partners
  • Verizon
  • VMLY&R, and
  • Walmart.
WAATBP says that it grew out of a conversation more than a dozen years ago between One Club board members Jimmy Smith, chairperson / CEO / CCO at Amusement Park Entertainment and Jeff Goodby, chairperson at Goodby Silverstein & Partners.

The conversation was about the critical need to create job opportunities in advertising and design for minority students. The pair spearheaded the initiative for the organisation, which held the first WAATBP panel on diversity during The One Club's Creative Week 2011.

The One Club says that it has a long track record of creating ongoing programmes that address the ad industry's lack of diversity, these include:
  • global Creative Boot Camps and mentorship programmes for diverse college students and other young creatives
  • ONE School the groundbreaking free portfolio programme for Black creatives, and
  • ONE Production, which is a free training programme for BIPOC students looking to enter the world of food styling.
Other DEI initiatives from The One Club include:
WAATBP 2022 branding was developed by Nicole Cousins and Dante Carlos at COLLINS New York.

For more information, visit www.waatbp.org. You can also follow The One Club of Creativity on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.