A professional development group sponsored by Procter & Gamble and other companies has quietly altered the requirements for a race-based internship program that might flout federal non-discrimination law.
Called “BLAC,” an acronym for “Building Leaders and Creators,” the internship program aims to diversify the advertising industry and explicitly employs racial eligibility criteria on applicants.
“Applicants to the BLAC internship program should identify as Black or BIPOC,” the program’s requirements previously read. The site has been modified since The Daily Wire’s request for comment to the organization, with the site now specifying that applicants should “be a member of a group underrepresented in advertising or marketing.” BLAC did not respond to a request for comment.
David Pivtorak, a lawyer who has active cases against American Express for alleged racial discrimination against white employees, explained that this program may be against the law.
“Generally speaking, racially discriminatory internships are unlawful under various state and federal laws,” Pivtorak told The Daily Wire. “If the entity that created this internship or the ad agencies where the interns are sent to work are subject to Title VII, or equivalent state laws, then the program would certainly violate anti-discrimination laws as it specifically discriminates against individuals solely based on race.”
He went on to add that “the main question is whether the interns could be considered ‘employees’ under the relevant statutes” before explaining that the interns are paid “is a significant factor in determining employee status.”
A promotional video for the program calls it “a paid summer internship for black creative thinkers at independent advertising, marketing, and creative agencies across the country.” BLAC also describes itself as “a champion for the more diverse and inclusive advertising industry of the future” that seeks to “inspire and be inspired by a new generation of Black talent.” Accepted applicants participate in the 12-week-long internship opportunity at one of BLAC’s 29 advertising host agencies.
The program is one of a wide array of internship opportunities and job postings uncovered by The Daily Wire that appear to engage in racial discrimination. A number of large companies, including Apple, Oracle, Nascar, McKinsey and Company, and several others, have hosted programs that imposed racial selection criteria on applicants.
Now the incoming Trump administration will have the opportunity to crack down on companies that discriminate against white and Asian applicants in service of the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) movement.
BLAC boasts several sponsors, including Procter & Gamble. The company’s logo is accompanied by a statement explaining its support for the race-based program.
“Racial inequality is the inescapable reality of America. It didn’t begin with us, but it can end with us. If we choose to act. For years, we have used our voice as a leading advertiser to shine a light on inequality, highlight bias, and spark dialogue that leads to understanding and action,” the consumer goods company states. “Through BLAC, we are proud to support an initiative that will help create more representative, equitable and powerful work across the advertising industry, shaping our world for the better.”
Procter & Gamble did not respond to a request for comment.
In addition to the internship program, BLAC also advertises a slate of DEI programming options from other organizations, intended for advertising agencies. “Central to the mission of BLAC is helping advertising agencies build and sustain environments that support the success, growth, and ultimate leadership of diverse talent,” the organization says.
One consultancy offers companies on-call DEI specialists for $1,200. The group also charges over $6,000 to “develop and deliver EDI-specific employee survey to unpack the current state of the organization,” adding that it “will identify trends and provide high-level recommendations for change based on results.”
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[[{“value”:”
A professional development group sponsored by Procter & Gamble and other companies has quietly altered the requirements for a race-based internship program that might flout federal non-discrimination law.
Called “BLAC,” an acronym for “Building Leaders and Creators,” the internship program aims to diversify the advertising industry and explicitly employs racial eligibility criteria on applicants.
“Applicants to the BLAC internship program should identify as Black or BIPOC,” the program’s requirements previously read. The site has been modified since The Daily Wire’s request for comment to the organization, with the site now specifying that applicants should “be a member of a group underrepresented in advertising or marketing.” BLAC did not respond to a request for comment.
David Pivtorak, a lawyer who has active cases against American Express for alleged racial discrimination against white employees, explained that this program may be against the law.
“Generally speaking, racially discriminatory internships are unlawful under various state and federal laws,” Pivtorak told The Daily Wire. “If the entity that created this internship or the ad agencies where the interns are sent to work are subject to Title VII, or equivalent state laws, then the program would certainly violate anti-discrimination laws as it specifically discriminates against individuals solely based on race.”
He went on to add that “the main question is whether the interns could be considered ‘employees’ under the relevant statutes” before explaining that the interns are paid “is a significant factor in determining employee status.”
A promotional video for the program calls it “a paid summer internship for black creative thinkers at independent advertising, marketing, and creative agencies across the country.” BLAC also describes itself as “a champion for the more diverse and inclusive advertising industry of the future” that seeks to “inspire and be inspired by a new generation of Black talent.” Accepted applicants participate in the 12-week-long internship opportunity at one of BLAC’s 29 advertising host agencies.
The program is one of a wide array of internship opportunities and job postings uncovered by The Daily Wire that appear to engage in racial discrimination. A number of large companies, including Apple, Oracle, Nascar, McKinsey and Company, and several others, have hosted programs that imposed racial selection criteria on applicants.
Now the incoming Trump administration will have the opportunity to crack down on companies that discriminate against white and Asian applicants in service of the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) movement.
BLAC boasts several sponsors, including Procter & Gamble. The company’s logo is accompanied by a statement explaining its support for the race-based program.
“Racial inequality is the inescapable reality of America. It didn’t begin with us, but it can end with us. If we choose to act. For years, we have used our voice as a leading advertiser to shine a light on inequality, highlight bias, and spark dialogue that leads to understanding and action,” the consumer goods company states. “Through BLAC, we are proud to support an initiative that will help create more representative, equitable and powerful work across the advertising industry, shaping our world for the better.”
Procter & Gamble did not respond to a request for comment.
In addition to the internship program, BLAC also advertises a slate of DEI programming options from other organizations, intended for advertising agencies. “Central to the mission of BLAC is helping advertising agencies build and sustain environments that support the success, growth, and ultimate leadership of diverse talent,” the organization says.
One consultancy offers companies on-call DEI specialists for $1,200. The group also charges over $6,000 to “develop and deliver EDI-specific employee survey to unpack the current state of the organization,” adding that it “will identify trends and provide high-level recommendations for change based on results.”
“}]]
