National Black Marketers Day

Categories:: Special Interest
Tags:: Appreciation Careers
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every November 16
Holiday emoji:: ✊🏿

National Black Marketers Day is commemorated every November 16, celebrating the profound achievements and cultural influence of Black marketers in America. This day highlights their pivotal role in shaping the marketing industry and driving innovation. Join the Black Marketers Coalition in recognizing these vital contributions, sharing inspiring stories, and advocating for continued equity and representation.

Deals
Platforms
Social
Hero
History
Timeline
FAQs
Importance
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Expected National Black Marketers Day Deals

For National Black Marketers Day, the focus shifts from commercial deals to professional development and community support. Organizations like the Black Marketers Coalition (B.M.C.) often host networking events, workshops, and mentorship programs leading up to and on November 16. Industry leaders and agencies may offer special access to resources, discounted training, or scholarships for aspiring Black marketers. Brands committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion might announce new initiatives or partnerships aimed at fostering Black talent within their marketing departments. We will update this page with confirmed live events and programs as November 16 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Black Marketers Day

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #BlackMarketersDay. Share career advice or highlight inspiring Black marketing leaders.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #BlackMarketersDay. Participate in industry discussions about representation and innovation in marketing.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #BlackMarketersDay. Create visual stories celebrating Black creativity and impact in advertising campaigns.

National Black Marketers Day Hero

Tom Burrell

Tom Burrell is a pioneering figure in advertising, known for founding Burrell Communications in 1971, one of the first and most successful Black-owned advertising agencies. He revolutionized how brands communicated with Black consumers, emphasizing authentic representation over stereotypes. His work shaped culturally relevant campaigns for major clients like Coca-Cola and McDonald's, demonstrating the power and influence of targeted, respectful marketing.

History of National Black Marketers Day

Marketing is an essential ingredient to the success of companies in advertising, client engagement, and building lasting relationships. Yet the efforts and achievements of marketers sometimes go unrecognized, a problem, especially for Black marketers. With this in mind, the Black Marketers Coalition (B.M.C.) was founded in 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The goal of the B.M.C. was to support black marketers countrywide, in and outside the workplace. The B.M.C. tapped into a pool of over 500 Black marketers and their allies in the U.S by promoting Black people for jobs and prioritizing solid relationships over business.

Sequoyah Glenn, the B.M.C. founder, started her career in the marketing industry as a fan service coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars. A lack of representation, lack of guidance from her peers, and even inequity in wages and delegation of duties frustrated her ambitions. Glenn noticed that Black businesses and Black marketers were approached — or not approached — differently compared to other companies. Glenn’s frustrations and observations drove her toward starting a consultancy that supports black businesses and businesses that want to reach Black, diverse, or underrepresented customers.

One of Glenn’s biggest inspirations in founding the B.M.C. was businessman John H. Johnson, the founder of Johnson Publishing Company, the first Black media company in America, which gave Black marketers a start in the industry. Johnson Publishing Company produced “Ebony” and “Jet.” For decades, these publications chronicled Black culture, fashion, music, politics, and more. Johnson left his mark on the industry, and his vision still lives on even after his passing in 2005. In the spirit of celebrating Black influence in media and marketing, National Black Marketers Day was created.

National Black Marketers Day timeline

1827

The First Black-Owned Newspaper

“Freedom’s Journal,” the first black-owned newspaper written by, for, and about Black Americans, launches on March 16.

1905

“The Chicago Defender”

Robert S. Abbott establishes “The Chicago Defender,” a Black-owned media publication championing Black political activism.

1942

The First Black-Owned Publishing House

John Harold Johnson opens the first Black-owned and -staffed publishing house, using a loan secured with his mother’s furniture.

1945

“Ebony” Magazine

“Ebony” magazine launches its first issue in November.

National Black Marketers Day FAQs

When is National Black Marketers Day?

National Black Marketers Day 2026 falls on Monday, November 16, a day to celebrate the achievements and influence of Black professionals in the marketing industry.

How many Black professionals work in marketing?

While exact numbers fluctuate, data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that Black professionals represent a smaller percentage of roles in advertising, marketing, and public relations compared to their overall presence in the workforce. This day aims to highlight their contributions and advocate for increased representation.

Who founded National Black Marketers Day?

National Black Marketers Day was founded by the Black Marketers Coalition (B.M.C.), an organization dedicated to empowering and connecting Black marketing professionals. They established the day to formally recognize the community’s impact.

Why is National Black Marketers Day important?

This day is crucial for recognizing the historical and ongoing contributions of Black marketers who have shaped industry trends, created iconic campaigns, and driven cultural shifts. It’s a moment to celebrate their creativity and strategic prowess.

National Black Marketers Day Activities

Support Black businesses
Supporting Black businesses helps close the racial wealth gap, strengthens local economies, and creates job opportunities for Black professionals. Support Black businesses to increase economic prosperity and celebrate diverse cultures.
Read about the pioneers
Names like Ted Burrell and John H. Johnson may not come up in everyday conversation, but these are the people who laid the foundation and paved the way for Black marketers and professionals today. Read about them and their contributions to the Black community over the years.
Become an ally
You don’t have to be a Black person to make a positive impact. Reach out to community members and ask how you can be an ally for their cause.

5 Important Facts About Black Marketing

Black advertising agencies
It wasn’t until the 1970s that advertising agencies began catering exclusively to Black audiences, starting with the founding of Burrell McBain Advertising in 1971.
Spending and self-esteem
In the 1970s and 1980s, Burrell Communications conducted research and found that Black people buy more high-end products to compensate for low self-esteem.
Black publications fought for civil rights
Black-owned publications like “Afro” advocated for the civil rights movement throughout the 1950s,’60s, and ’70s.
Black consumers are worth billions
Black consumers are worth an estimated $300 billion.
Black consumers are still underserved
Despite their spending power and the size of the market, Black consumers continue to experience underrepresentation in banking, healthcare, food, and housing.

Why We Love National Black Marketers Day

Celebrating Black excellence
National Black Marketers Day is all about celebrating the impact of Black marketers in the media industry. The focus on their achievements isn’t limited to success in the business world, but across the community.
Creating an inclusive space
Creating safe spaces for Black marketers lets them discuss their challenges in an environment that’s not hostile or dismissive of their observations. They get the freedom to vent and propose solutions that will work for their specific cause without fear of prejudice or suppression.
Building strong relationships
The main goal of National Black Marketers Day, and the Black Marketers Coalition, is to foster strong ties within the community. Black marketers have to stick together as they continue to carve out a space for themselves in the industry.