Black, Minority Game Makers Call for Diversity in the Game Aisle

Black Card Revoked | Source: Cards for All People

In recent months, many conversations have begun regarding diversity and inclusion in the toy industry. But what about diversity in the game aisle?

A group of more than 40 Black and minority-owned game companies in alliance with the Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and the Black Game Makers Association has penned an open letter to big-box retailers requesting real action to accompany recent industry commitments to diversity and inclusion.

Signees of the open letter to retailers | Source: Cards for All People

“Multicultural toys and games help all to share their experiences and unite through play,” says the letter published by Cards for All People on its Medium account. “They enhance our empathy and understanding of each other without divisiveness and malice. In your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we ask that you publicly commit to the following:

Provide the same opportunities for buyer engagement as are afforded to non-minority owned brands such as Hasbro, Mattel, Asmodee & Spin Master
Create dedicated shelf space for businesses that make products catering to people of color, women and LGBTQIA+ people
Create programming that helps buyers learn about diverse products and communities they have little to no knowledge of
Strengthen your existing commitments to our communities beyond cultural holidays and advertising
Set a measurable, quantifiable financial investment goal and ensure transparency in reporting to demonstrate accountability to customers.”

Click here to read the full letter.

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book and Co-President of The International Toy Magazines Association (ITMA). He is also a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC), New York Comic Con, Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.