DIVERSITY MATTERS 

For the past several years ECPA has encouraged conversations about the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the books our members publish and in the people they hire. To further this effort, ECPA has developed programming at our events, and resources for our members, to develop pipelines of opportunity and further gird the industry to be missional and relevant to the multiethnic kingdom of God and the readers we serve.

Here are several initiatives inspired by the industry’s commitment to pursuing multiethnicity:

STANDING COMMITTEE ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

In 2021, ECPA formally announced the formation of a new standing committee focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).  The committee will help educate, equip, and encourage ECPA members in their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. More

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ECPA EVENTS

ECPA remains committed to topics and speakers who challenge and equip its members to build more diversity into their publishing programs. Since 2016, ECPA events have included DEI as a topic from expert presenters and consultants in order to resource and inform our members.

• View current and recent programs at ECPA PubU, ECPA Leadership Summit, ECPA C-Suite Symposium, ECPA Focus webinars, and Art of Writing conferences.
• The ECPA DEI Resource Library and certificate of completion program is now available for members.

INDUSTRY RESEARCH PAPERS

In early 2019, ECPA commissioned race scholar Dr. Theon E. Hill, associate professor of communications at Wheaton College, to write and present two industry white papers on the importance of diversity in Christian publishing. Those papers were released in February 2019 and May 2019 respectively. Dr. Hill has presented at several ECPA events and remains strategically involved as an ECPA advisor. We encourage our members to download and read these excellent presentations on:

1. THE STRATEGIC PRIORITY OF DIVERSITY IN CHRISTIAN PUBLISHING: WHY DIVERSITY MATTERS

2. WE MUST CHANGE TOO: STRATEGIC APPROACHES TO DIVERSITY IN CHRISTIAN PUBLISHING
   

(Member sign-in required to view and download in the DEI Research/Report file library below.)

INDUSTRY BASELINE SURVEY: DIVERSITY IN CHRISTIAN PUBLISHING

ECPA conducted a survey of ECPA publishers to establish a baseline of where the industry was at in terms of ethnic and gender diversity by publishing role. The report was released in February 2023 and is available to ECPA publishers in the file library below.

(Member sign-in required to view and download in the DEI Research/Report file library below.) 

CHRISTY AMPLIFY AWARD FOR CHRISTIAN FICTION

The Christy Amplify Award is intended to elevate and recognize authors of color and their stories in The Christy Award® program; while raising awareness of The Christy Award opportunity among Christian fiction writers of color.

EMERGING LEADER MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

In 2016, ECPA developed the Emerging Leader program at ECPA PubU.  The Emerging Leader program creates opportunity for newer and under-represented voices in the industry to attend the industry's "Publishing University" (PubU) on scholarship and participate in a year-long industry mentorship program. Mentors are resourced with tools and training.  More

OPEN DOORS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The ECPA DEI committee has developed a program to connect students of color with internships at ECPA member houses through the ECPA Career Center. The program includes an online "Christian Publishing 101" series to educate interns about careers in the industry each summer.  Member publishers an post their internships for free on the Career Center.  More

BIG TENT INITIATIVE AT CHRISTIANITY TODAY

ECPA member Christianity Today provides a variety of resources, discussions and education around racial justice and the gospel.  Visit christianitytoday.com/ct/videos/ to access.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION CONSULTING SERVICES

Since 2019, ECPA has partnered with ECPA member Global Bridgebuilders to offer members a discount off their services, in order to encourage sustainable changes to ECPA members committed to a more diverse workforce and publishing program.  More

In addition, many Christian publishers and corporations have invited Dr. Theon Hill to speak at their companies, and within departments, to consult on a variety of diversity and inclusion topics. Contact him at theon.hill@wheaton.edu.

CHRISTIAN PUBLISHING PROFESSIONALS OF COLOR

ECPA member Jevon Bolden, CEO of Embolden Media Group, has launched a professional group for BIPOC Christian publishing professionals.  Connect with them on social media through Instagram, Facebook and Twitter: ChristianPOCpub.  For more information, or to submit a request to join, contact them at ChristianPOCinpublishing@gmail.com.  More

PUBLISHING IN COLOR CONFERENCES

ECPA endorses and encourages its members to become involved in the Publishing In Color conferences. These conferences gather content creators of color for training and connection with Christian acquisition editors, publishers, agents, art directors, and media leaders.  More

CHRISTIAN BOOK PROPOSAL DATABASE

ECPA and its publishers have developed ChristianBookProposals.com to allow authors to submit their book proposal in a secure, online format for review by editors from ECPA member publishing houses. As part of an effort to identify writers of color, this service has a search option for editors to find those who self-identify from an under-represented ethnic group.  More

BOOK LISTS ON RACIAL JUSTICE AND BY AUTHORS OF COLOR

In 2020, ECPA compiled specific book lists, published by our members, that relate to racial justice and to also list industry titles by authors of color in multiple categories. They are featured on our consumer site, ReadGoodBooks.com.

ECPA Members: Sign in to your ECPA.org member profile (upper right corner) in order to view and download the industry papers in the file library below.  The papers will become visible once you are signed in.