Why even superheroes need an ally

By Andrea Brimmer, Chief Marketing Officer at Ally and Daniel Cherry, SVP, General Manager at DC

Whether in pursuit of truth, justice and a better tomorrow, or on a mission to bring kindness, generosity, peace and positivity into the world, the superheroes of DC have stepped up to right the wrongs that plague humanity.

For generations, their exploits have inspired fans to be heroes to their families, friends and communities. As times change, the world of superheroes has evolved to incorporate more diverse characters fighting the good fight alongside iconic DC characters like Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, including Black Lightning, The Question a.k.a. Renee Montoya, Green Lantern John Stewart and others.

Although meaningful progress has been made and superhero fans have more diverse characters to cheer for, underrepresentation among those creators giving voice and form to these characters persists.

DC, Ally and Milestone Media believe it’s time for a major leap forward. We’re teaming up to create more opportunities for Black and diverse storytellers to add to the legacy of heroism and fantasy that comic books can provide with The Milestone Initiative.

Founded in 1993, Milestone Media was the first black-owned comic book company, creating a lineup of Black and diverse heroes and villains that operate in the fictional city of Dakota known as the “Milestone Universe” or “Dakotaverse.” DC was the publishing partner for this groundbreaking imprint which is responsible for fan-favorite characters like Static, Icon and Rocket, Hardware and more.

Milestone stepped away from comics in 1997, but it reunited with DC to return to comic books in 2021, reimagining its core characters for a more contemporary audience.

Scheduled to launch in early 2022, The Milestone Initiative is part of DC’s Next Generation DC, a program created to identify, recruit and mentor diverse creative talent in North America and key international markets and create authentic new stories and characters, while adding to the legacy of DC’s pantheon of Super Heroes. Aspiring writers and artists have been encouraged to apply and submit content for review, as well as submit an essay introducing their creative voice and vision.

Accepted applicants are invited to participate in The Milestone Initiative Development program, combining COVID-compliant in-person learning at DC’s Burbank, Calif. headquarters, led by reps from DC’s incredible editorial team and industry experts, followed by an eight-week virtual curriculum administered by the prestigious Kubert School. Writers and artists will then be paired with a mentor from the “faculty” to create a short story as their final submission for review.

Milestone Initiative participants will learn more about the creative process, story development and collaboration. But most importantly, they’ll receive the tools, support, and advocacy they need to build a sustainable foundation for a creative career that fosters personal and professional growth. With this program, participants will walk away a step closer to being a comic book creator with real work experience and an expanded network that can carry them forward in the comic book industry.

We believe that content should be more reflective of the world we live in. Thus, the people creating and delivering that content should exemplify and represent that diversity of perspectives as well. With Black creators only making up a 4.9 percent of comic book writers and about 3.4 percent of artists, we felt it was time to write a new story. WarnerMedia, DC, Ally, Milestone – all of us are incredibly excited to be partners on this journey.

The Milestone Initiative is a powerful extension of Ally’s overall commitment to financial and social inclusion, and very much in line with other programs which provide rich, immersive experiences that create pathways for success for diverse voices in fields where they are grossly underrepresented. Programs like the annual Moguls in the Making business pitch competition for HBCU students and work with the University Growth Fund to drive diversity in venture capital are about opening doors that have previously been closed to many Black Americans.

Lack of access to creative spaces and career paths for people of color has gone on long enough. Inequality is pervasive in our society. There is not an easy fix. We all must pay attention, show up and speak up each and every day.

Even heroes benefit from the help of a sidekick. When it comes to making room for diverse creators, everyone is better off when they have allies in their corner, providing opportunities to achieve their goals. Whether that’s pursuing a creative career or building a secure financial future, everyone should be afforded the opportunity to apply their talents.

Creativity and providing spaces for diverse creators is a passion of ours at DC and Ally, and this new mission aims to extend that commitment even further. The Milestone Initiative is a start, but it is only the beginning of a new story — one where everyone feels welcome and have equal opportunities to create the future of their dreams.

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