We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Camille Johnson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Camille, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you have any thoughts about how to create a more inclusive workplace?
My advice for creating a more inclusive workplace begins with the re-examination of corporate and company norms. It then leads to fearlessly questioning situational double consciousness and demanding actionable change. At the beginning of my career in general market, I began to experience the very phenomenon of situational double consciousness.
Originally coined by W.E.B Du Bois, double consciousness is a concept in social philosophy referring, originally, to a source of inward “twoness” commonly experienced by Black Americans because of their racialized oppression and disvaluation in a white-dominated society. Within the halls of general market agencies, I was, in one vein, praised and celebrated as a win for their DEI efforts, and yet, the other side ostracized and “othered.” Often, I was tapped for brainstorms only when they needed AA consumer-based perspectives, existing in space with limited examples of BIPOC leadership, and so on.
Thus, I began to re-examine the company norms and the othering that was happening. An inclusive workplace should hold space and celebrate the technicolor nature of my identity rather than be a box to check. The steps to create an inclusive workplace can only be measured by actionable efforts to identify and effectively communicate and address the needs of all employees. That can only be accomplished if there is an open and honest channel of dialogue between executive leadership and the employees under their charge.
Camille, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Absolutely, firstly I am so thankful to CanvasRebel and their readers for the opportunity to share my story! I am originally from Minnesota and have been living in Chicago for ten years now. There’s something so uniquely special about Chicago. I’ve traveled a lot for my work, and there’s just nothing that can duplicate what I feel when I’m in this city. As a Black woman in public relations, the power of storytelling, of telling Black and Brown stories undiluted with white lies, is never lost on me. I would say that the beginning of my story or how I fell in love with storytelling and PR, funny enough, started when I was working for Aveda salons. The freestanding stores are referred to as “experience centers.” For the sales reps, we’re tasked with creating a holistic experience for whoever comes in. In many ways, while I was going to school for marketing, I was in a type of grassroots marketing classroom learning my own consumer speak, the impact of brand loyalty/sentiment, and the power of advertising. I vividly remember mundanely watching shoppers pass the storefront. A young Black girl stopped in her tracks after seeing the new advertising we had in our store window of a Black woman with a curly fro. From a single image, this young woman then turned, looked at me, and came into the store.
Viola Davis was asked why representation matters and she answered because people need to see a physical manifestation of their dreams. For over six years, I have been fortunate enough to work for a number of PR and Marketing agencies in Chicago, working on Fortune 500 brands. I have been largely tasked with consulting and educating clients on how to gain a nuanced understanding of inclusive marketing, particularly in addressing and engaging with diverse audiences. Heartbreakingly, there has been a reckoning following the murder of George Floyd and how brands are responding to the injustices of our world. There is an ever-growing shift taking place, especially from our young people, that demands that the brand’s mission be authentic rather than performative platitudes. As an account supervisor for an inclusive agency, I strive to ensure my clients authentically engage consumers and heed their concerns and values. I have many stories of brand events, interesting client meetings, and pitches.
And yet I remember that young girl and the joy of seeing her likeness when I was 20. As I am almost 30, in many ways, that is my “why” as I was that young girl once, and I saw my likeness far less. All we can ever do is leave the world a little better than we enter it, I hope that my story can lead another little Black girl to public relations one day and further diversify this industry.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I would say a time I had to unlearn a lesson, was the misguided belief that my neurodivergence was shameful. I was initially advised to hide it or not mention it in job interviews, especially in the industry of PR. Having dyslexia in the field of communications has allowed me to have a different perspective and unique attention to detail. Sharing my story fostered understanding and further representation that having dyslexia isn’t a crippling weakness in this industry – rather a superpower, not a disadvantage. My Dad would tell me that we don’t shame people for wearing glasses – it’s how their brain is wired. Why would I be ashamed of how my brain is wired? I forgot those words. As a leader, I advocate for myself – embracing my dyslexia was a journey from concealing to celebrating, one of the best lessons of my life.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
I strive to ensure my team’s morale is high by committing to clear communication and actively listening to my team members. In my role, I look to foster collaboration and encourage open dialogue. An agency setting can naturally be hectic; thus, clear communication and acknowledging the team’s contributions are imperative.
In maintaining high morale, it is crucial to understand and respect diverse work styles within your team. The best thing about a team is allowing flexibility to learn and grow thanks to different approaches and ensuring everyone’s voice is heard. Lastly, I look to emphasize the importance of work integrity. Acknowledging and accommodating individual preferences creates a more harmonious and productive work environment. I try to lead by example, demonstrating adaptability and a positive attitude. Creating a supportive and inclusive work environment is key to a successful team dynamic and high morale.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_itscamillejohnson/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camille-johnson-b94a5090/
Image Credits
Soul Brother