Carmella Glover, President of the Diversity Action Alliance, made a powerful call for inclusion and visibility during her participation in the HPRA session: “Latino AF – The Culture Shift you Can’t Ignore“, held as part of the second edition of Latino US Day at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The event was hosted by Advertising Week LATAM and powered by PRODU.

Glover drew attention to the importance of being present at global stages like Cannes, especially for those who don’t come from the majority demographic. “It’s about showing that representation matters and bringing something different to the festival,” she observed. “Creativity only increases when you have different perspectives and different backgrounds.”

Known for her vibrant presence, Glover explained that standing out has always been a way of underlining the need for diverse voices. “I make it a point to talk to people I don’t already know — those who might not normally interact with someone like me. It’s essential for us to tell our own stories and make sure this representation grows year over year.”

Reflecting on her panel participation, she noted that the conversation built upon earlier discussions that acknowledged an undeniable cultural shift. “It’s like a leaky bucket — You can’t ignore it,” she said. “This is no longer just a market growth strategy. It’s about the long-term viability of our businesses.”

Still, she pointed out that more work needs to be done: “The only thing I would change is having more people who don’t look like us attending these panels — and making sure these conversations happen on the main stage, not in separate silos.”

Glover’s presence and insights underscored one of the core messages of Latino US Day: Diversity isn’t a trend — it’s the future of the industry.