I left
@cannes_lions with a range of emotions; Inspired, excited, frustrated, angry…Thousands of creatives pour their lives into their work to win a single lion. Few go home with hardware and many go home with nothing.
The problem, as I’ve stated before, is that judges award work that they understand, or work that effects them.
Black Madison Avenue was creative for us by us. It was meant to be raw, transparent and bold. It wasn’t created for an award…it was created to make an impact on the advertising space and to uplift Black creatives while educating white executives.
While I didn’t expect the judges to get the importance of this historic conversation, I was confident at the very least and because of this current moment in time, it would be short listed. It wasn’t.
One incredible judge of the ten did reach out and praise the work, but one wasn’t enough to influence nine.
What made me proud, was knowing that a little ways down the beach at a location called
@inkwellbeachcannes , my people, my community, Black and brown people, understood the gravity of what Sherman Winfield, Shannon Washington, Perry Fair, andre gray, Kaleeta McDade, Patrick Bennett and I did. Putting our jobs and reputation on the line to speak our truths publicly with no filter, for all to see.
@cannesdiversitycollective
Inclusion Award celebrates work that best represents and uplifts historically underrepresented groups, through creativity, thoughtful strategy, and diverse casting and content. A diverse jury of my peers felt that Black Madison Avenue was important enough to take home their highest award…Platinum.
Thank you to the brothers and sisters who supported this work. It will not stop, and we will not be stopped, until we get our fair share. And thank you Adrianne C. Smith for creating spaces where we feel understood and welcome.
#wearevmlyr
@vmlyr @vmlyrhealth 
