Juneteenth, #PullUpForTravel
On this Juneteenth, we support the Black Travel Alliance and respond to their call to #PullUpforTravel. Academic Travel Abroad provides cultural and educational group travel experiences for leading media, cultural, and educational institutions in the US. We also operate study abroad programs for high school, gap, and college students through our study abroad division, CET Academic Programs, and organize delegations of professionals for international exchange through our brand Professionals Abroad.
Compiling the data for the following applicable KPIs was an important exercise for us as an organization, and we share it transparently as part of our ongoing commitment to confront systemic racism in our own work.
Current number and percentage of Black people in management and on staff.
- Staff 6 out of 82 (7%)
- Managers 3 out of 62 (5%)
Black representation (number and percentage) in TV, radio, print and digital channels including social media in 2019.
- CET featured Black students and Black student-created content in 36 out of 92 social media posts (39%) from 2017-2020.
- 1 of 4 Instagram takeovers were hosted by Black students in 2019.
- CET features 366 photos showcasing students across 40 web pages marketing our study abroad programs. Of the 366 photos, 58 (15.85%) featured Black students.
*Academic Travel Abroad does not run paid advertising or marketing campaigns for its programs created for partner organizations.
Charitable contributions and support (i.e. mentorship and intern programs, etc.) to Black charities and community groups.
- ATA has donated $1.6 million to the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) since its inception in 2010. FEA’s mission is to diversify participation in study abroad by providing scholarships and support to minority, first-generation, and high financial need students.
- 30% percent of FEA scholars are Black while only 6% of the general study abroad population is Black.
In evaluating this data, we recognize that we have work to do in improving Black representation on our staff, in our management, and in our marketing campaigns. Moving forward, we intend to use these KPIs as a starting baseline for action as we take real steps toward racial equity within our own organization.
