Embracing Diversity
A Perspective on Inclusion and Equality.
At Morning Walk, we stand firmly behind the belief that diversity is a powerful driver of success. We are dedicated to developing a diverse community that fosters growth for both our people and our clients. Being part of a minority and in an Executive position as Director of Design at Morning Walk, I’ve been reflecting on what diversity means from my personal perspective and how our core company pillars — Optimism, Energy and Motion — are guiding me in this endeavor, and not only that, but also in making me a better mentor, a better person, a better representation of what minority is.
Looking back at my career, I had to take a couple of steps back in 2014. I moved to a different country with a different language, a different culture, and it was scary, to say the least. But, despite the challenges, I was determined to go back to the Director position I left in Brazil. I enrolled in a master’s program in advertising, and, just like that, I was back in the game. As I began to climb the corporate ladder in America, I discovered the number of “diverse” people in executive positions were fewer and fewer. My resolution was set.
Equality Over Labels
From my point of view, the essence of inclusion involves normalizing experience — lived experience, work experience … they are our experiences. Therefore, the goal should be to weave a new pattern of diversity into the natural organizational fabric and not have it as a separate thread or bolt of cloth. It’s about equality — treating everyone as equals and ensuring that no one feels marginalized or exceptional because of their identity, skin color, gender, etc.
Many individuals from minority backgrounds wrestle with an internal fear of not being enough or not fitting in. This anxiety stems from being constantly watched, observed with laser focus, and being compared to some ideal (sometimes an ideal unknown to you), and even being dismissed. It’s an inner struggle that reflects the broader issue of societal inequality. My personal experiences, having lived in both Brazil and the United States, offer me unique insights into these challenges and the importance of creating an inclusive environment.
Our company is driven by Optimism—the belief that we can play a meaningful role in creating a world where everyone feels safe, heard, included and celebrated. I’m always making sure I’m not censuring my authentic self. This optimism fuels our efforts to foster an environment where diversity is not just acknowledged but embraced. By fostering a culture where everyone feels valued, we can ensure that every individual, regardless of their background, feels secure and appreciated. This positive vision is essential for nurturing a workplace where true inclusivity can thrive.
We work to bring Energy to the conviction that collaboration and diverse viewpoints lead to better outcomes. Diversity is not just about representation; it’s about actively engaging with different perspectives to enhance our collective work. This energy drives us to work together harmoniously, leveraging our varied backgrounds to more effectively innovate and solve problems. By valuing and integrating different points of view, we create a dynamic and vibrant workplace, where creativity and productivity flourish … essential to any company, a prerequisite for all advertising agencies and especially to their creative professionals.
The commitment to Motion is about continually striving to make progress in strengthening our communities and supporting our clients' growth. Diversity is an ongoing journey and means we are always seeking ways to improve and evolve; it signals our dedication to “keep the ball rolling” — I had to throw in a football, er, soccer reference … I’m Brazilian after all! This commitment ensures that we not only advance diversity in our internal practices but also contribute to it positively in the wider community. It’s about taking actionable steps to build a stronger, more inclusive organization and fostering growth for our clients through our diverse perspectives.
I consider myself fortunate to be in a position where I can express my point of view on this subject and represent a minority telling a story of success. Determination, focus and discipline can make anyone meet their goals in life. This is true for everybody, independent of their background. When I was a child, I wished I could go to the Emerald City to see the Wizard of Oz. When I was a teenager, I was mesmerized by Björk’s video for “Bachelorette,” directed by Michel Gondry, where she finds a book made of blank pages. When she opened it, the book started writing itself with the story of her life. I was compelled … what would the pages in the book of my life hold? After living in New York, San Francisco, São Paulo, and my hometown Curitiba, ten years ago, I moved to Chicago; the city skyline reminded me of the Emerald City. Watching Björk’s video again years after its release, I realized the city she was going to, was in fact, Chicago too. My wish came true and I’m still reading “My Story”, bringing my heart, my creativity and the rich diversity of my upbringing and experience to my work at Morning Walk and my community.
About Eddie Bastos
Eddie Bastos is a super-talented designer, musician, thinker and maker. At Morning Walk he leads the design team in developing visually compelling campaigns across multiple platforms. His background includes working on global brands like Citroën, Nestlé and PepsiCo. A true cosmopolitan, Eddie speaks three languages, has an MFA in Advertising and has lived in both North and South America. At home, his love of music goes to his Steinway Piano and when it’s time for vacation, he and his husband, married since 2014, split their time between their hometown in Brazil and several cities around the world.
