BREAKFAST CULTURE
Let’s break some eggs!
“Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”
The famous quote from legendary management consultant and writer Peter Drucker.
Many companies invest heavily in their strategic and business plans, including their marketing and communications, only to have them fail resulting in negative publicity, a reduction in sales, or worse their stock plummets.
Why? Their corporate culture either hinders or doesn’t align with management’s vision.
Breakfast Culture works where marketing communications intersects with diversity and inclusion. We help organizations cultivate inclusive workplace cultures and garner new and diverse audiences and thus more revenue.
OUR
SERVICES
At Breakfast Culture we help organizations achieve their strategic goals and generate revenue on two fronts:
externally, with what we call Woke Marketing and internally by helping them cultivate diverse and inclusive workplace cultures.
EXTERNAL Marketing Communications aka Woke Marketing
We see Woke Marketing as a relatively simple concept that aligns with brand authenticity. Is a brand being truly authentic to its core values? All. The. Time. Not just for one month of the year and not just in their marketing. They demonstrate it with their supply chain. They demonstrate it with their hiring practices. They demonstrate it with their internal culture. They ALWAYS demonstrate it! This is what we call Woke Marketing. Let Breakfast Culture help your brand live its authentic self.
Breakfast Culture’s Woke Marketing services include:
INTERNAL Change Management & Employee Engagement
We help organizations cultivate diverse and inclusive workplace cultures where everyone feels that they can perform to the best of their abilities, resulting in peak performance and improved business results. How? Breakfast Culture consultants bring current diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) theories and practices combined with modern change management techniques to deliver 360° Equity Business Case & Strategy using contemporary employee engagement enterprise software.
Breakfast Culture’s Change Management Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI) Services include:
WHO
WE ARE
Breakfast Culture is a boutique agency delivering big agency experience. We help organizations achieve their strategic goals and generate revenue on two fronts: Externally, with what we call Woke Marketing, and internally by helping them cultivate welcoming and inclusive workplace cultures.
Let Breakfast Culture help your brand live its authentic self.
Based in Toronto, Canada, Breakfast Culture can activate locally, regionally, nationally and even globally.
We have a network of partners (Canada, U.S. and U.K.) and consultants that we can utilize to augment client teams as required. Breakfast Culture works on retainer, a competitive daily rate or on a project basis, depending upon the scope of the assignment.
SPEAKING &
TRAINING COURSES
Breakfast Culture has experience delivering award-winning campaigns, training courses, diversity and inclusion presentations and keynotes, participating on panel discussions, developing seminars, and more. All our topics can be customized and/or modified for myriad industries and organizations. Depending upon client needs each topic can be presented in either one hour or developed as a training course over two to three hours.
SPEAKING TOPICS & TRAINING COURSES:
(Click for more information)
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D&I 101: Introductory Training Course
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Power & Privilege: Bias Training Course
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Ally is a Verb: Allyship, Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Course
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Mapping the Inclusion Continuum*: Presentation
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Woke Marketing: Presentations & Services
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Woke Marketing – Rainbow Edition: Presentations
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Woke Marketing – Pan-African Edition: Presentations
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#SafeSpace: Discussion Facilitation
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The Year I Learned How to Walk… Again: Keynote
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Walking on Broken Glass: Imposter Syndrome Coaching
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Beauty of Diversity: Presentation & Lecture
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Diversity & Inclusion in STEM – What We Can Learn from Wonder Woman: Presentation
Our speaking topics and training courses can all be customized:
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ACB Communities (African, Caribbean & Black)
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Arts & Entertainment
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Branding
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Corporate Social Responsibility
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Culture & Museums
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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
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Fashion & Beauty
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Imposter Syndrome
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Innovation & Creativity
INSPIRATION & AWARDS:
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Leadership
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LGBTQ+ Spectrum
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Marketing Communications
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Motivation & Inspiration
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Privilege & Bias
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Public Relations
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STEM Communication
(science, technology, engineering & math) -
Workplace Culture
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May 5, 2021 – Speaker: "Woke Marketing" for the Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
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April 14, 2021 – Canada's MarComm Forum: "Mapping the Inclusion Continuum" for Communication Forum Day
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April 1, 2021 – Guest Lecturer: Fashion and Labour - How does labour influence equity, diversity & inclusion for the Fashion Entrepreneurship Program at Ryerson University
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March 23, 2021 – National Summit on Anti-Racism in Public Relations & Communications Management: "The Resistance" - This session challenges what we should do when the culture of the organization does not see a need for change or does not have an equity lens.
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March 17, 2021 – National Member Webinar: "Mapping the Inclusion Continuum" for Pride at Work Canada
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March 7, 2021 – Aptly Outspoken! Webcast: "The N-Word: Appropriate Cultural and Educational Uses"
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January 11, 2021 – LinkedIn Blog Post: "The Double Standard"
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December 18, 2020 – BOI Meets Wellness Podcast: "The Breakfast Culture Inside Scoop" with Evolve Benton
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October 27, 2020 – Speaker: "D&I Audit: Understanding where your organization lies on the DEI Continuum*" for The Fourth Annual Marketing & Communications for Post Secondary Conference. (*The Human Equity Advantage: Beyond Diversity to Talent Optimization, Wilson 2013)
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October 22, 2020 – Strategy Online Article: "Introducing strategy's Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board"
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October 22, 2020 – Media in Canada Article: "Introducing strategy's Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board"
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October 20, 2020 – News Release: "Breakfast Culture Signs Six New Clients and Welcomes a New Associate: #LetsBreakSomeEggs!"
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September 22, 2020 – Panelist: "Fireside Chat and Q&A: Ally-ship: Diversity Means Nothing Without Inclusion and Support" for Ragan Communications Leadership Council Virtual Member Retreat
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September 22, 2020 – Speaker: "D&I Audit: Understanding where your organization lies on the DEI Continuum*" for Engaging Employees Conference. (*The Human Equity Advantage: Beyond Diversity to Talent Optimization, Wilson 2013)
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August 7, 2020 – 54 Lights Podcast: "Breakfast of Champions." Jefferson Darrell, Founder of boutique agency, Breakfast Culture, joined Kondwani Mwase and shared his perspective on identity politics and social movements. His fresh perspective, coupled with his command of language, thrust us into an engaging and thought-provoking conversation. Subscribe and Listen on iTunes or Spotify.
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July 9, 2020 – Panel Discussion: Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) National Virtual Conference Transformation 2.0: "From Unconscious Bias To Conscious Communications: Strategies For Social Justice and Racial Equity"
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July 7, 2020 – Webinar & Discussion: "What it's like to be Racialized in PR" for the Canadian Council of PR Firms (CCPRF)
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June 25, 2020 – Webinar: "We Are All Humans First" for British Columbia American Marketing Association (BCAMA)
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June 22, 2020 – Webinar: "We Are All Humans First" for IABC (International Association of Business Communicators) Toronto
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"Jefferson, I just wanted to thank you for your amazing webinar today. Really appreciate you sharing your story, your observations, and data. Compelling and actionable!" - Mary
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June 13, 2020 – Toronto Star Article: "Goodwill or just for show? As political and corporate leaders speak out against anti-Black racism..."
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June 9, 2020 – strategy Article: "Why Pride sponsors shouldn't hit pause during Black Lives Matter protests"
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June 8, 2020 – LinkedIn Blog Post: "Get Comfortable with Uncomfortable Conversations"
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June 2, 2020 – LinkedIn Blog Post: "(Cautiously) Hopeful for Transformative Change"
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April 29, 2020 – Webinar: "Woke Marketing: Rainbow Edition" for Pride at Work Canada
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I participated in this webinar with Jefferson Darrell who provided great information on how organizations can support the LGBTQ+ communities through their marketing strategies with integrity and authenticity and avoid woke washing or pink washing i.e. using rainbow logos during Pride, but not supporting the LGBTQ+ communities the rest of the year." - Julie
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February 21, 2020 – Panel Discussion: "Diversity & Inclusion in Public Relations" for Humber College Public Relations
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November 13, 2019 – Guest Lecturer: Diverse & Inclusive Public Relations for the Fashion Entrepreneurship Program at Ryerson University
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"Thank you sooooo much. Sara [Masters student working on her thesis project] came to see me during my office hours this afternoon and she was 1000% more confident - YOU did that." - Professor Mirza
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July 30, 2019 – Panel Discussion: “Multicultural Storytelling in the Digital Age” Seneca College | York University Public Relations Program
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June 20, 2019 – Woke Marketing LinkedIn Blog Post: “Keeping Pride in a Rainbow Closet”
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March 21, 2019 – Panel Discussion: “Diversity in Advertising” as part of Student Day 2019 for Ad Club Toronto
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“We were incredibly lucky to have a conversation with Breakfast Culture’s Jefferson Darrell at length about the advertising industry. There are many difficult conversations that need to be had to better grasp the issues that LGBTQ+, PoC [people of colour] and many other minorities face in our world. After having Jefferson speak at the Ad Club of Toronto’s Student Day, it gave many of us a realistic and unfiltered understanding of the advertising landscape. Jefferson was even kind enough to lend me an hour of his time for a personal one-on-one where we discussed the hardships I may face and how to better overcome them as I make my way through the advertising landscape.” - Madison
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November 2018 – Panel Discussion: “Diversity and Inclusion in Public Relations” for 300+ communications executives at Global PR Summit Canada 3 for PWorld
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“I met Jefferson Darrell at the Global PR Summit in Toronto, in November 2018. He spoke on a panel about Diversity & Inclusion. His insights were honest and compelling. Over lunch, he gave me some really solid advice and encouragement to get out of my current role and find somewhere I would be valued and have a seat at the table. His perspective gave me that extra push to recognize that it wasn’t me, it was them – and it was time for me to move on. I’m happy to say that I’m now several weeks into a new job, and I am thrilled to feel valued and appreciated. Just wanted to say THANK YOU to Jefferson (and his company BREAKFAST CULTURE) for sharing his experience both on the panel, and over lunch.” - Krista
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October 2018 – Speaker: “We are All Humans First” for 150+ marketing executives at the IDEA Summit (Inclusivity, Diversity and Equity in Advertising) for the Institution of Communications Agencies (ICA)
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“I had the good fortune to see Jefferson Darrell speak both at the IDEA summit and AdClub Student Day. His presentations on diversity were thoughtful and empathetic. They touched on some things I had been thinking about myself. Jefferson was also kind enough to give me an hour of his time to speak to me about his experiences within advertising industry as well as how to champion diversity within it. He was very honest with me, and addressed my concerns, again, with a great amount of empathy and thought. I truly appreciate having had the opportunity to meet him and to hear about his experiences. Thank you to Jefferson and Breakfast Culture.” - Elissa
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October 2018 – Panelist: “A Voice at the Table: How to Build Inclusive Work Cultures to Increase Company Output” for 150+ marketing executives at the IDEA Summit (Inclusivity, Diversity and Equity in Advertising) for the Institution of Communications Agencies (ICA)
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September 2018 – Keynote Speaker: “Diversity in Public Relations” for 200+ Humber College Public Relations students
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July 5, 2018 – Organizer & Spokesperson: The Inaugural International PRIDE In STEM Day at the Ontario Science Centre
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July 2017 – Speaker: “Diversity & Inclusion in STEM: What we can learn from Wonder Woman” webinar for 100+ attendees for the Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC)
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2015 IABC Gold Quill Award of Merit for Social Media: The Brain Exhibition: Concussions and Sports Injuries Facebook Chat for the Ontario Science Centre
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2008 IABC Ovation Award of Excellence for Media Relations: Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition for the Ontario Science Centre
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2005 CPRS Award for Best New Product Launch: Peter Pan DVD Launch for Universal Studios Home Entertainment
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2005 IABC Award for Media Relations: The Chronicles of Riddick DVD Launch for Universal Studios Home Entertainment
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2005 Promo! Award: The Chronicles of Riddick DVD Launch for Universal Studios Home Entertainment
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Canadian Event Industry Award for Best Event Produced for a Corporation: Microsoft Canada Xbox 360 Launch
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Brilliant Public Relations piece in Strategy Magazine (January 2005): The Bourne Supremacy DVD Launch for Universal Studios Home Entertainment
OUR
EXPERIENCE
Breakfast Culture's Clients include:
OUR
TEAM
Breakfast Culture helps organizations achieve their strategic goals and generate revenue on two fronts: externally, with what we call Woke Marketing and internally by helping them cultivate diverse and inclusive workplace cultures. How? Breakfast Culture consultants bring current diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) theories and practices combined with modern change management techniques to deliver 360° Equity Business Case & Strategy using contemporary employee engagement enterprise software.
Based in Toronto, Canada, Breakfast Culture can activate locally, regionally, nationally and globally.
We have a network of partners (Canada, U.S. and U.K.) and associates to augment client teams as required. Breakfast Culture works on retainer, a competitive daily rate or on a project basis, depending upon the scope of the assignment.
RESOURCES, IDEAS &
THOUGHT STARTERS
“Playing gracefully with ideas”
- Oscar Wilde
Breakfast Culture shares resources, ideas and thought starters on our social media feeds using #LetsBreakSomeEggs!
Following are some great (and free) resources to begin your own DEI journey.
 What is White Privilege? Peggy McIntosh unpacks the invisible knapsack. |  "5 Tips for Being an Ally" courtesy Franchesca Ramsey |  The Step Forward podcast (created by Breakfast Culture for OAN) is a limited series dedicated to providing space for deep conversations about anti-Black Racism in Ontario & beyond. Throughout the series, we’ll be speaking with Black leaders from diverse professional and personal backgrounds. While each conversation will be unique, these discussions will explore and reflect on a single question: To what extent does white dominant culture and white supremacy impede the HIV public health response? |
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 For decades, the Disability Images collection has been growing and evolving, creating positive lifestyle imagery of authentic people with real disabilities. |  The Gender Spectrum Collection is a stock photo library featuring images of trans and non-binary models that go beyond the clichés. This collection aims to help media better represent members of these communities as people not necessarily defined by their gender identities—people with careers, relationships, talents, passions, and home lives. |  Beautiful illustrations of Black people for your next digital project. |
 Illustrated Version of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Illustrated by Yacine Ait Kaci (YAT) |  Using gender-inclusive language means speaking and writing in a way that does not discriminate against a particular sex, social gender or gender identity, and does not perpetuate gender stereotypes. Given the key role of language in shaping cultural and social attitudes, using gender-inclusive language is a powerful way to promote gender equality and eradicate gender bias. |  Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms |
 Ontario Human Rights Commission eCourse - Human Rights 101 (Third Edition, 2020) |  Harvard University's Implicit Association Test |  Inclusive marketing communications addresses racism on social media by turning racist messages into positive tourism promotion. Cannes Lions 2019 Winner by FCB/Six in Toronto. |
 Inclusive marketing communications fights the patriarchy and sparks policy and legal change. Cannes Lions 2019 Winner by The Female Company. |  Inclusive design, inspired by an employee with cerebral palsy not only addresses accessibility but inspires an entire new product line. IKEA Tel Aviv. |  The You Inside Project: The toy – which is based on Russian nesting dolls – was designed to help youth understand what it’s like to grow up transgender. |
 Privilege is unearned access to social power based on membership in a dominant social group. We ALL have some form of privilege. Following is a short (and non-exhaustive) list of common privileges we experience in North America. What’s YOUR score? |  Gender Stereotypes Develop at Age Six A non-profit organization founded by Azadeh Shirzadi. |  Call It Out, a free 30-minute eCourse about racism. |
 How microaggressions are like mosquito bites by Fusion Comedy. |
