To our WAATBP family,
Fifteen years ago, someone asked a question that changed everything. That question became a panel, the panel became a conference, and the conference became a community. Through every shift the industry has thrown at us, you have shown up. So have we.
This year feels different. Not just because of mergers or layoffs, but because the conversation around who belongs in this industry, who gets access, and who gets to build a career here has become more complicated and more urgent. WAATBP exists precisely for moments like this one.
On Friday, October 2, we are dedicating the entire day to what our community needs most right now. Portfolio reviews, one-on-one conversations with HR and recruiting leaders, and honest career advice from people who know what it takes to get hired in today's market. Come as you are. We will meet you where you are.
And on Saturday, October 3, we are hosting an exciting brief competition. More details coming soon.
The industry may be changing. Our commitment to this community is not.
WAATBP
About Where Are All The Black People?
Since 2011, Where Are All The Black People? (WAATBP) has been a catalyst for change, amplifying Black voices and talent within the advertising industry. What started as a half-joking, half-serious remark at an agency party has grown into the industry’s leading diversity conference and career fair—challenging the ad world’s diversity gap and creating pathways for Black professionals at every stage.
Each year, from students to C-suite executives, attendees gather at WAATBP to celebrate successes, confront challenges, build community, and secure opportunities. Our flagship event in New York remains the centerpiece of this movement, offering dynamic keynotes, thought-provoking panels, hands-on workshops, and invaluable recruiting sessions—both online and in person.
Expanding the WAATBP Experience
After more than a decade in NYC, WAATBP is reaching new cities. In 2024, we introduced pop-up events in Atlanta and Los Angeles, bringing our signature mix of industry insights, networking, and career-building opportunities to more creative hubs. These half-day experiences unite advertising leaders and innovators to explore how Black talent can thrive—whether as entrepreneurs or within corporate spaces. Conversations tackle the creator economy, navigating underrepresentation, and building sustainable careers, all in an intimate setting designed for connection and impact.
A Global Perspective
Beyond the U.S., we’ve expanded the conversation through Where Are All The People of Colour?, an international extension of WAATBP that centers creatives of color and recognizes the distinct cultural and historical factors shaping the industry worldwide. In 2022, we hosted A Different Playing Field: A Look into Europe’s Creative Industry, a virtual panel during WAATBP that examined the experiences of creatives of color navigating Europe’s ad industry. Now, with our latest expansion into Toronto, we continue adapting the dialogue to reflect the realities of underrepresented talent across borders—while staying rooted in our core mission: fostering opportunity, inclusion, and meaningful change.
Join us as we continue pushing the industry forward—one city, one conversation, and one opportunity at a time.
Meet The Team
WAATBP would not be possible without the support and resources of an incredible group of partners from across the advertising industry and beyond. Our partners believe in our commitment to a more inclusive and diverse creative industry.
Interested in becoming a Partner in 2024?Â
Meet The Team
WAATBP would not be possible without the support and resources of an incredible group of partners from across the advertising industry and beyond. Our partners believe in our commitment to a more inclusive and diverse creative industry.
Interested in becoming a Partner in 2024?Â
ADRIENNE LUCAS
