Adcolor Marks 20 Years With a New Program for a Changed DEI Landscape

The organization focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in advertising has unveiled an expanded slate of programming for 2026 that addresses the shifting landscape and evolving needs of its community. 

Since its launch two decades ago, Adcolor has built its community around an annual flagship conference and awards hosted in LA. Now, the organization is shifting to year-long event programming and making changes to its awards and mentorship initiatives.

“It can’t just be another year that we celebrate, particularly during these times when we have to remind not only our community, but the world how important and how beautiful it is to build and support a diverse community,” Warren said.

The activities will kick off at Adcolor’s annual networking event at Cannes Lions in June, followed by gatherings in New York in August and LA in October. The program will culminate with the Adcolor Awards and conference in LA in early 2027, pushed out from its usual early November date.

The format of the annual Adcolor Awards has also been updated. Instead of a traditional nomination process, winners will be selected by a jury of alumni. Warren positioned the shift as both a way to thank the community that has supported it over the past 20 years and to spotlight its own alumni. 

The nomination process will return in 2027. 

“We’re turning 20, and for a good 19 of the 20 years we have been going, going, going, and I’ve not realized how much of a milestone 20 years is,” Warren said. “We needed to take a step back and look at what we created and celebrate that in the way that it deserves.”

There will also be changes to the Adcolor Futures (early career) and Leaders (mid to senior-level career) programs. Instead of running within the main conference, both will have dedicated, immersive programming in LA in 2026. Applications for both are already open.

The goal is to create a more focused environment for mentorship, professional development, and community-building among the industry’s next generation of diverse leaders, Warren said.

Changing winds

When ADCOLOR was established in 2006, DEI conversations were “nascent,” Warren told ADWEEK. “Multiculturalism was growing, but it was still very unique, and you didn’t see it in various places within the industry. It was very much marginalized and siloed,” she said.

Reflecting on the current pull back on corporate DEI initiatives, Warren said the past two years have been “tough” but that her “dream” back in 2006 of a more diverse creative industry, particularly at senior level, has surpassed her expectations.

She said the current moment makes her “a little sad” because of the “swiftness of the change in temperature” of how people feel about “providing opportunities for underrepresented communities.” While she described her outlook as “melancholy,” she added that she has hope this moment is temporary. 

“I hope to look back and say that that was a moment in time and that joy returns again and support returns again,” she said.

For Adcolor’s part, Ana Leen, vice president of partnerships, said the community is only growing stronger. 

“What we’re seeing with these community groups is there is such a hunger to connect to learn from each other to support each other. The networks that the Adcolor community builds are really strong and supportive,” she said. 

People are also becoming more vulnerable, Leen added, pointing to individuals asking for help on LinkedIn amid layoffs and job uncertainty. “We are seeing people very willingly help out a stranger just because they’re part of this community,” she said. 

This sense of mutual support will sustain Adcolor through challenging periods, she said. 

“This is a true community of people who believe in the mission in a way that they’re not just talking about it, they are acting on it,” Leen added.