Look through the window: our streets are diverse, our communities are vibrant, and minorities are thriving as entrepreneurs and in business. Now look around: our advertising industry still looks like a fancy whites-only clubhouse at times.

Though we talk of data, code and bots, advertising is still very much a people business. But what “people” are we talking about?

Our clients, like HP CMO Antonio Lucio, think it’s time for accelerating change toward diversity and taking tangible actions to be more representative. We agree: our differences are our best competitive advantage.

So what is the smartest way to fix this imbalance in and in time, shape a more creative and productive future for our industry?

To do our jobs effectively, we need a constant and diverse supply of new talent pouring into the industry. Talent with faces that reflect the world today: from different ethnicities, genders, work and educational backgrounds, as well as from many different places around the world. But more importantly, talent who have been encouraged to shine and have the confidence to reinvent the industry.

Such talents are too rare. And that’s why education has a critical role to play in the diversity equation. So, when Miami Ad School told us they were about to announce $200,000 in minority scholarships, a brilliant, bold and radical initiative, we thought that was something every American ad agency should support.

“If we don’t develop diverse juniors right now, we’ll have to wait that much longer for the minority creative directors the industry desperately needs.” Pippa Seichrist, Co-founder, Head of Innovation & Development, Miami Ad School

At FRED & FARID, we’ve always believed that a diverse, worldly mindset makes for the best work. So to align ourselves with this goal, our newly launched New York office will take our first step by underwriting a minority scholarship to help the next wave of creative leaders receive the world-class education and gain the expertise our industry needs, as well as a paid internship into our New York office to help them gain in confidence.

Our diverse talent will be mentored, celebrated and challenged, getting them ready to climb up the ladder to leadership positions based on the strength and merit of their output.

That’s just a start. We are also starting working with Miami Ad School to help look further upstream to convince minorities and people of color that the creative industry offers very viable careers, needs their talents, and welcomes their insights.

And while we may not have the hugest checkbook just yet, let’s multiply our efforts quickly. We would love for our clients, partners and agency friends to join in and financially commit to a minority scholarship. If we all do it, we will transform our pool of future leaders quite fast. Please join in!

FRED & FARID NEW YORK Team