We Are HDAC
Working to propel a more inclusive and equitable community.
HDAC - Hospitality Diversity Action Council
Creating the space and the conditions for real dialogue about our industry.
OUR MISSION
The Hospitality Diversity Action Council (HDAC) strives to be a catalyst for addressing the issues of systemic and institutionalized racism which has contributed to the lack of diversity within the hospitality industry.
Through demonstrated leadership, as well as collaboration with the community, the HDAC will work toward the creation of a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable industry through the implementation of programs, scholarships, and initiatives that promote and support Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) within all facets of the hospitality ecosystem.
EPICENTER OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY
Our community is capable of incredible things, especially when we come together.
It’s time for us to come together and take real action toward a more just and equitable industry. The HDAC booth at HD Expo + Conference 2021 was about creating a space and the conditions for open, honest conversation about diversity and equity challenges in the hospitality industry. We looked to our communities to identify the safe and comfortable spaces for open dialogue. As a result, we designed the booth—in partnership with Curioso, NEWH, and Bray Whaler—in the spirit of the barbershop and beauty salon. The booth is heading back to Las Vegas for HD Expo + Conference 2022 April 26-28 for more honest conversations and networking.
We're making strides, but we need your support to continue our work.
HD EXPO SPONSORSHIP LEVELS: $1,000 - $2,500 - $5,000 - $10,000 - $25,000
Sponsor Benefits
| From Emerald/HD |
|---|
| (1) FULL PAGE AD IN AN UPCOMING ISSUE OF HD MAGAZINE (SPONSORSHIP OF $25,000 +) |
| (1) HALF PAGE AD IN AN UPCOMING ISSUE OF HD MAGAZINE (SPONSORSHIP OF $10,000 +) |
| (1) SOCIAL MEDIA POST AS PART OF HDAC STORY DURING HD EXPO 2022 |
| At HD Expo 2022 |
|---|
| INCLUSION IN HD EXPO SHOW GUIDE THANK YOU AD AS A KEY SPONSOR (DEADLINE MARCH 31) |
| INCLUSION IN SIGNAGE FOR THE HDAC BOOTH AS A KEY SPONSOR (DEADLINE MARCH 31) |
| INVITATION TO JOIN A PANEL DISCUSSION WITHIN THE EXPO BOOTH (SPONSORSHIP OF $10,000 +) |
| BROCHURE OR LEAFLET PLACEMENT AT BOOTH |
Awards of Excellence
As one of its first initiatives, HDAC launched its Awards of Excellence Program. Selected by a jury panel of current HDAC members, the award honors exemplary work in the hospitality industry to individuals and companies across Ownership/Management, Architecture/Design/Landscape, Branding, and Vendor/Product that are working to advance our field through the promotion of diversity, inclusivity, and equity. Dyonne Fashina of Denizens of Design was selected as the inaugural honoree, and was feted during the Hospitality Design (HD) Awards in September in New York.
A second honoree will be celebrated this year at the HD Awards, June 7th at Cipriani South Street New York. Submissions are now open.
The Diversity In Hospitality Scholarship
HDAC also launched the Diversity in Hospitality scholarship, a partnership between HDAC and NEWH, and underwritten by Emerald, Hospitality Design’s parent company. The scholarship, the first of which was given out at HD Expo + conference 2021, works to encourage diversity, equity, and inclusion in and access to the hospitality industry by supporting students who identify with underrepresented and minority groups interested in careers in the industry.
Applications are due by February 7th and will be reviewed by a panel of industry members. The $5,000 scholarship will be awarded at HD Expo + Conference, April 26-28th at the Mandalay Bay Las Vegas. Submissions are being accepted here.
Next Up
The organization is registering as a 501c3 and will debut a new website and increased social media in the coming months. Plus, we plan to kick off mentorship and internship programs later this year. Have more ideas? Email stacy.shoemaker@emeraldx.com or info@wearehdac.org.
Our Team
Chair: Stacy Shoemaker Rauen - Senior Vice President, Design Group, Emerald
Sponsor: Bashar Wali - CEO, This Assembly
Team:
Julien Albertini - Partner, Aesthetique • Aaron Anderson - Founder, The 26 Co. • Angela Clarke - VP Global Design Procurement, Marriot • Dyonne Fashina - Principal Designer, Denizens Of Design Inc. • Kona Gray - Principal, Edsa • Nina Grondin - Partner & Co-Founder, Curioso • Sequoyah Hunter-Cuyjet - Vice President, Determined By Design • Kimberley Jackson - Managing Director/Architect, Avroko • Kenya Jones - Designer, Rice Fergus Miller • Damon Lawrence - Founder, Homage Hospitality • Kathianna Rousseau - Designer, Rockwell Group • Paris M. Swann - AVP, Architectural Design, Royal Caribbean Group • Ming Thompson - Co-Founder, Atelier Cho Thompson • Meredith Zimmerman - VP Of Design, Rlj Lodging Trust