We are professionals in a creative industry that serves a creative audience. Creativity, at the core of what we do and the audience we service, flourishes best in an environment where diversity of thought and inclusion of all are priorities. For everyone to perform at their best, we need to recognize and address demographic, opportunity and social issues that can impede the creative process and create an environment where those priorities are apparent. The Diversity Advisory Council (DAC) serves as a forum to ensure that all —regardless of dimensions of diversity (e.g. race, gender, gender identity, sexuality, religion, age, ability or access needs) feel welcome, supported, respected and recognized by our publications and at our events. We recognize that this is not a quick fix, but rather a journey to lasting change.

Diversity Advisory Council — Work to Date and Ongoing DEI Practices
The DAC was formed in the April of 2019.

Since then, the DAC has implemented the following:
Initiated a crafting business accelerator program, Launch Pad
Launched Kaleidoscope fashion show, a trailblazing fashion show for mentoring upcoming diverse designers in the industry
Curated a diversified teacher, speaker, keynote and vendor lineup for the virtual and in-person shows
Implemented quite spaces and early access for people with disabilities and special needs at the in-person shows
Organized virtual panels at Virtual Knitting LIVE, featuring diverse fiber industry professionals
Developed, administered, and ensured all teachers and vendors virtually attended inclusion trainings in order to participate in virtual events
Emphasized and supported the vision and goal to celebrate diversity in the pages of Vogue Knitting magazine, with an emphasis on size inclusion.
Spearheaded a cowl pattern initiative where all proceeds were donated to the Hetrick-Martin Institute
 

Ongoing Practices 
Maintain previous implementations and initiatives
Share information and resources marking significant DEI calendar dates and cultural holidays on social media channels
Amplify fiber industry professionals and encourage Vogue Knitting’s followers to learn about and support them
 

Future Vision 
Continue to assess what we have done so far and maintain a checklist of things to consider—for now and in the future—to ensure that Vogue Knitting and the future DAC members remain committed to the mission statement, support the community and set and accomplish future goals together

 

Diversity Advisory Council — Appointments
The DAC was conceptualized in 2019 and is currently a committee of 6 members as we explored different dimensions of diversity.

Terms for appointed DAC members are as follows:

Appointment term is one year (with a possible year extension) with a 90 day probation period
There is a maximum of 10 council members per year during transitional periods, but typically there will be 9 council members per year
No more than 50% of the existing members will voluntarily remain on the DAC for a maximum of one additional year to facilitate the transition
Required to attend one monthly one-hour Task Meeting, held the first Tuesday of each month at 11AM EST
Required to attend one quarterly two-hour Planning Meeting, held the second Monday of the following months at 11AM time EDT 
Each council member receives an honorarium of $1500 per year