As professionals in a creative industry, we can all be considered teachers—and every good teacher is a lifelong learner. That means leading with humility, staying open to growth, and continually reflecting on our own practices. As the CEO of SoHo Publishing—I remain deeply committed to fostering equitable practices that honor the full diversity of our community across race, gender, sexuality, age, ability, and access needs.

Over the past several years, a vital and transformative conversation has emerged in our knitting and crochet communities—one centered on race, equity, and inclusion. These conversations were sparked and continue to be led by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) who courageously spoke out, challenging longstanding inequities and calling for greater accountability across the fiber industry. Their advocacy has been a powerful wake-up call and a necessary call to action—one that we have taken seriously.

In response, we have worked to listen, learn, and implement meaningful change. We launched a Diversity Advisory Council to help us assess our role in the industry and identify new ways to support equity, inclusion, and representation within our publications and at our events. Through this work, we’ve developed programs we hope will have lasting impact—not only within our own organization, but across the fiber arts community as a whole.

Now, as we enter the next chapter of this work, we’re evolving from a committee-based approach to a focused, project-driven model. Guided by expert consultants with deep lived experience and subject-matter expertise in DEI, we’re continuing to build on the strong foundation established by the Diversity Advisory Committee. This shift will allow us to direct our energy more effectively into programs and initiatives that are intentional, measurable, and community-driven.

SoHo Publishing’s pledge—and my personal commitment—is to keep pushing this work forward with care and urgency. We envision a future where our industry is more inclusive, more equitable, and more reflective of the diverse community that makes it thrive. Everyone who engages with our publications and events should feel seen, heard, and welcomed.

All of us at SoHo Publishing are committed to continuing this work—together with our community—to help shape a fiber industry that truly belongs to everyone.

Carrie Kilmer
Chief Executive Officer
SoHo Publishing LLC