Like many athletic-wear companies, Adidas is aiming to improve its diversity and inclusion efforts.
One year ago, The New York Times reported that less than 4.5% of the 1,700 Adidas employees at the company’s Portland, Oregon, campus identified as Black, according to internal employment figures from summer 2018.
Business Insider previously spoke to employees at Adidas who cited issues of upward advancement for Black people at the company. Some of these employees have been protesting at the company’s US headquarters and speaking up about what they describe as an uncomfortable and problematic environment for people of color.
Other companies in the industry are confronting similar issues. Nike and Under Armour have also acknowledged their part in maintaining a workplace lacking in diversity and inclusion. Both have announced new initiatives to tackle the problem head-on.
Read more: POWER LIST: Here are the 28 most outstanding people of color transforming the sneaker industry today, from designers to influencers
Adidas is spearheading certain initiatives to increase diversity, such as aiming to fill a minimum of 30% of all open positions with Black and Latinx talent and investing $120 million in social justice and anti-racist initiatives. The company also launched an employee-led group, the US United Against Racism Accountability Council, to oversee Adidas’ commitments to diversity and equity.
“At Adidas, we’re focused on working with our employees and empowering them to accelerate diversity, equality, and inclusion within our organization and our communities,” an Adidas spokesperson said in a statement. “The fight against racism is one that must be fought continually and actively, and we recognize the work that so many of our employees are doing from inside the company. Together, we can create lasting change.”
Beyond company-driven initiatives, individuals at Adidas are pushing the company towards its diversity goals. Business Insider identified 15 of these outstanding people at Adidas who are leading the charge for diversity and inclusion. After a nomination process, inclusion in the list was based on multiple factors, including an individual’s impact on Adidas’ diversity and inclusion efforts. The final list was determined through our reporting.
From footwear designers creating sneakers for all consumers to program directors encouraging diverse talent, here are 15 outstanding people who are leading the charge for diversity and inclusion at Adidas.read more
POWER PLAYERS: Here are the 15 change-makers at Adidas paving the way for diversity and inclusion at the company
