TheeTru1Project

The culture is a multi-billion-dollar net worth. In any and every industry, field, and profession: Culture is embedded one way or another. For video games, the evolution and imagination that comes out of each game published has and continues to make lasting impact on the culture.

From the controller to the board of director’s table, the gaming industry needs Black culture within its workforce. If you know, you know. If you don’t, I’ll explain just a little bit.

During this Black History Month (and the last few years), I’ve spectated and watched from afar a lot of initiatives and promotions that video game studios, platforms, and organizations have done in order to align their companies in recognizing Black History Month. In case you didn’t know (hopefully you haven’t been living under a rock), Black History Month in the United States is a time celebrated every February to commemorate the countless contributions that African-Americans have done and continue to do for America. In gaming, it’s no question that Black culture has made its impact within the industry (From the get go, SEE: Jerry Lawson, inventor of the video game cartridge). While commendable on a few groups that do expound beyond the month of February in order to push more Black creators within their system, there are many who do the “one and done” #BHM marketing campaign during February, then going back to the norm; and therefore, putting the culture back in the secondary.

The fact of the matter is that the “diversity and inclusion” conversations on the industry (related to race) comes and falls off upon deaf ears within companies once February 28 or 29 passes. Beyond February, at times it seems that we always run in circles on D&I. Even in the last couple of months, I’ve sat on panels and attended events across the U.S. listening to white men and women exude that “diversity” is trying to expand the industry to include more women and various age groups. Very few did I transparently hear that the diversity aspect should include not only just (white) women, but also Black women and Black men. We can even expound on other ethnicities, but in this post, I’m only focusing on Black. And let’s not even go about the “inclusion” aspect, as beyond the many thousands of Black gamers and creators out there, to whom bring in the a lot of content with very few dollars supporting their work (content creating wise), there are only a sprinkle of Black men and women who are actually working within the gaming industry workforce. Even fewer are leading major gaming studios and companies, unless founding their own companies. A challenge for most with this is not their creativeness and leadership, but more so the needed money and resource to thrive.

Because of unconscious bias that occurs when hiring new employees and appointing new leadership within gaming companies and studios, it is no hidden matter that the majority demographic of the workforce is white and male employees or executives. And while I can partly agree that each candidate considered should accumulate specific experiences, skills, and what they personally can bring to the table, the fact of the matter is the total demographic of gamers and consumers has evolved from 10- and 20 years ago. The make-up pool of gamers is more diverse than ever and it’s time for the gaming industry to take a huge leap into recognizing that within its workforce. Not only does it benefit in giving fresh perspectives, ideas, initiatives, and sustainable strategies in order to break away from the status quo, Black culture thrives worldwide. If you deny it, take a look at every social media platform in regards to engagement and analytics. Numbers don’t lie when it comes to the influence that it has garnered.

And let me not let y’all think I’m miseducated, I am well aware of the many conversations, panels, and mixers in discussing the areas of the topic and trying to figure out ways to shake the status quo. There are professionals within the field that I am very much aware of and also acquaintances with. The bottom line is this: When it comes to the gaming industry, HIRE more, SUSTAIN more, and GROW more Black men and women into the next industry leaders.

No doubt we will continue to push for diversity and inclusion, but as someone who knows their worth: The pipeline into the industry is a significant factor to the future of gaming. The gaming industry needs Black culture.

-Tru1P
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