Brands, Bias & the Lies We Buy with Dr. Sonya Grier

Marketing isn’t just about selling—it shapes what we see, how we think, and the choices we make. From the products on store shelves to the ads that fill our feeds, businesses play a major role in influencing our decisions. But are they really getting it right?

Dr. Sonya Grier, a marketing expert and professor at American University’s Kogod School of Business, has spent over 30 years studying the connection between marketing, business strategy, and consumer behavior. In this episode, she breaks down:

• How marketing impacts what’s available to different communities—and why it matters
• The biggest mistakes companies make when trying to reach diverse audiences
• The role of AI in shaping advertising and the risks that come with it
• Why some corporate DEI efforts fall short and what actually drives real change

Whether you’re in marketing, business, or just curious about how companies shape the world around us, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on the power of marketing—and why getting it right is more important than ever.

Links:

• Learn more about Dr. Sonya Grier: https://www.american.edu/kogod/faculty/griers.cfm
• Check out the Race in the Marketplace Research Network: https://rimnetwork.net
• Read Dr. Grier’s article on faculty diversity struggles: https://theconversation.com/us
• Follow Dr. Grier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonya-a-grier-57a108/

Become a part of our community:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diversity_beyondthecheckbox/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/diversity-beyond-the-checkbox-podcast/
• Website: https://beyondthecheckbox.com/

Hosted by Jackie Ferguson, award-winning business leader, best-selling author, and co-founder of The Diversity Movement.

Production by Walk West – https://www.walkwest.com