DEI PROJECTS

I work with clients and partners to build innovative tools and programs designed to illuminate actionable opportunities for fostering greater diversity, equity, and inclusion. From media to education initiatives to product development, my work has spanned a range of industries and leveraged creative measures to shift cultural paradigms.

YouTube | YouTube Creators Series

This video covers tips on how YouTube creators can help foster DEI with their channels, and serves as an introductory video for the Inclusion Driver.

YouTube | Inclusion Driver

YouTube’s first-ever Inclusion Driver is a content strategy resource that converts research and insights into actionable DEI storytelling opportunities. I conducted literature reviews and creator interviews to distill insights that are posed as a creative challenge. I also worked closely with the designer to ensure the visual elements also conveyed a story.

YouTube | Learning Content Equity & Empowerment Strategy Guides

To help creators achieve an even greater impact on the lives of the world’s learners, educators, and caregivers, these Guides contain valuable background and ideas on how YouTube Learning content can foster equity and empowerment in learning. Three versions are available in over 20 languages: Primary & Secondary Learning, Postsecondary Learning & Beyond, and Strategy & Design. I leveraged literature reviews along with input from creators and internal education experts to craft and refine these resources. I also oversaw design and the externalization process. 

SeeHer | SAG-AFTRA Podcast Interview

"Dr. Knatokie Ford is a true hero for girls. Serving as a STEM advisor to SeeHer and many leading entertainment companies, Ford advocates for positive female roles in advertising and media. Hear her inspiring story with our hosts, Gabrielle Carteris and David White."

OWN | Black Female Characters Storytelling Guide

This custom #WriteHerRight Guide features key questions and insights that are designed to provide creative teams in advertising and entertainment with thoughtful ways to reflect Black women more accurately and become more aware of potential unconscious biases. I co-led SeeHer’s collaboration with the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) to produce this first-of-its-kind resource, converting research and survey insights from OWN’s expert storytellers into “Consider This” questions. I also worked closely with SeeHer’s designer to develop the visual concept.

Telemundo | Latina Characters Storytelling Guide

This is SeeHer’s second custom #WriteHerRight Storytelling Guide. It is intended to be a resource to encourage authentic portrayals of Hispanic women and girls in marketing, media, advertising and entertainment by highlighting language and cultural nuances in addition to addressing potential areas of weakness and unconscious biases. I co-facilitated SeeHer’s collaboration with NBCUniversal |Telemundo to produce this detailed guide that incorporated extensive survey insights from Telemundo’s leading storytellers.

Toy Association | Advisory Board

The Toy Association’s STEM/STEAM Committee is a group of STEM experts that were assembled to address the growing needs of toy companies and the public to better understand the STEM/STEAM movement. I served on the inaugural committee and shared perspectives to inform their first report.

Toy Association | CES Panel

The “STEAM-Powered Play” panel at CES discussed the important role toys and play have in inspiring curiosity, hands-on exploration, and experimentation. These can encourage kids to master STEAM-based learning. This panel was part of The Toy Association’s multi-year undertaking to bring more clarity to STEM/STEAM and to help toy companies create better products for the next generation of children that drive interest in STEM fields. Insights from the panel were incorporated into their second report.

Barbie | Advisory Board

Barbie’s Global Advisory Council provides input and feedback on products, content, and new initiatives. During my one- year tenure on the council, I attended and spoke at events, shared ideas for Career of the Year dolls, and provided feedback on some of The Dream Gap Project assets.

"Diversity is being invited to the party; Inclusion is being asked to dance."

- Verna Myers