Diverse representation is an expectation, but as individuals no longer allow themselves to be defined in singular terms, there's mounting pressure on brands to understand and sensitively reflect how the intersections between race, gender, class, and ability impact people's everyday lives.

As the new post-pandemic normal settles in and people adapt to a context of uncertainty, constant adversities, and pessimism, we are moving away from a moment in which consumers expected brands to rise up to society's challenges and into one when they’re demanding genuine allyship from businesses.

Despite the numerous efforts to tackle inequalities and biases against women, we are a long way from gender equity in workplaces. Canvas8 spoke to Charlotte Moser and Professor Nyla Branscombe to understand the power of gender allyship in fostering equality within professional environments.

Despite calls for gender equity, the gender pay gap in the US has remained pretty much stagnant over the past two decades. With expectations of what businesses can and should do shifting substantially, people want real commitment and allyship from brands beyond performative marketing.

A Juneteenth update forHalo Infiniteprompted developer 343 Industries to issue a hasty apology and replace the racially-charged name of an in-game color palette. With brands' anti-racism efforts under close scrutiny, the incident showed the danger of offering gestures rather than genuine allyship.