Bringing more diverse voices to the world

by Ann Lewnes, Executive Vice President and CMO

Creativity has the power to create change in the world in big and small ways. It has the power to unite us, help us cope, inspire us and drive positive change in the world. But, creativity needs to be more accessible to, and celebrated by, every one of us—regardless of race, ethnicity, ability, gender or sexual orientation. At Adobe, we believe it is our responsibility to give diverse voices a greater platform to share their stories, especially in this unprecedented moment.

In that spirit, we are proud to share some of the new programmes we are doing to elevate and amplify diverse voices, including some exciting initiatives focused on female creators.

Today, Adobe is launching a new campaign showcasing the vibrant spectrum of perspectives from female creators from all around the world, including the work of; illustrator, Malika Favre; 3D and graphic artist, Jordan Moss; and photography and video artist, Rose Marie Cromwell.

As a part of this effort, we’re excited to present The New York Times’ T Magazine’s special digital issue, “T Presents: The 15 Creative Women for Our Time,” that is inspired by and dedicated to women all over the world.

Within the issue, branded content will feature some creators from our very own Adobe community, including; illustrator, Octavia Bromell; grassroots data storyteller, Jessica Bellamy; and Nike VP/ Creative Director of Women’s Footwear, Georgina James.

Creating opportunity + mentorship in film

Today’s announcements build on our long-standing commitment to elevate underrepresented creators through mentorship, programmes, grants and more. Earlier this year, we launched the inaugural Women at Sundance | Adobe Fellowship — Adobe is the first-ever brand to create a woman-focused fellowship with Sundance Institute.

We are excited to announce the inaugural Women at Sundance fellows for this year’s program, 11 female-identifying filmmakers that will receive bespoke support to create bold, new work across diverse disciplines. The fellowship includes year-round mentorship from Sundance Institute and Adobe executives, participation in Sundance Institute Labs and programs, and a $5k cash grant to advance current projects.

Creativity for All

Finally, we are launching a dedicated place for diverse voices, where everyone can be inspired, learn, and share their creativity. Here we will be highlighting the voices of different creators, sharing resources (e.g., scholarships and fellowships) and more. Please check it out: Adobe.com Diverse Voices.

At Adobe, we are committed to supporting, elevating and amplifying underrepresented creators, so the world can see, learn and benefit from diverse perspectives.

As Marian Wright Edelman once said: “You can’t be what you can’t see.”

Learn more about the ways we’re coming together and empowering diverse voices:

• Adobe.com Diverse Voices Page
• Celebrating and Empowering Women Today—and Everyday
• Nurturing Diverse Voices in Film

At Adobe, we believe that everyone deserves respect and equal treatment, and we also stand with the Black community against hate, intolerance and racism. We will continue to support, elevate, and amplify diverse voices through our community of employees, creatives, customers and partners. We believe Adobe has a responsibility to drive change and ensure that every individual feels a sense of belonging and inclusion. We must stand up and speak out against racial inequality and injustice. Read more about the actions we’re taking to make lasting change inside and outside of our company.

We also know many people are still impacted by the current COVID-19 crisis and our thoughts are with you. The entire Adobe team wants to thank you, our customers, and all creators around the world for the work you do to keep us inspired during this difficult time.