Belonging University

Inclusive marketing is the future of marketing

These programs are perfect for you if:

• You want to attract more diverse customers but you're not sure how

• You're nervous about making mistakes when engaging with diverse communities

• You want to know how to deliver ongoing messaging and experiences that make diverse and niche customers feel like they belong with you

• You want to build a team that is representative of the customers you want to serve

• You want to learn about diversity, inclusion, and belonging in a safe space that's free of judgement and where no question is a dumb question

The outcomes are especially applicable if you are:

• An entrepreneur who wants to apply the lessons to building your own business
• A marketer at a company or agency working to build an inclusive brand for your organization or for your clients
• A people leader who wants to build a high-performing diverse team where everyone feels like they belong
• 
  

These programs are not for you if:

• You're looking for a plug-and-play quick fix solution (note: there isn't one)
• You're not committed to building an inclusive brand over the long-term
• You're not open to being empathetic to the plight of those who are different from you

Introducing Belonging University

Your digital education on how to build an inclusive brand that wins the attention, adoration, and loyalty of diverse and niche customers.

The curriculum is broken out into two programs designed to give you the skills, knowledge, resources, support, and confidence you need to authentically engage diverse and niche consumers (and talent) and make them feel like they belong with your brand.

Your guide on this journey

I’m Sonia Thompson, a customer experience strategist and consultant who helps brands win customers by delivering inclusive and remarkable experiences that make them feel like they belong. 

Before I started my own business, I spent nine years at Johnson & Johnson, helping grow various healthcare brands around the world. While there, I was a diversity and inclusion champion and employee resource group leader.

Now, as an entrepreneur, I write columns for Inc. and Forbes where I focus on how to use inclusive marketing, belonging, and remarkable customer experiences to grow. I also contribute to Entrepreneur, Success, and other publications.

I’ve keynoted conferences where I’ve taught tens of thousands of people how to be more inclusive with their marketing. And I’ve worked with brands 1:1 to help them do the same.

Aside from all that on the business front, I’ve also got a number of differences on a personal level, that makes me not fit so cleanly into what is considered to be the “mainstream.” 

I’m a Black woman, I have a Spanish-speaking Argentine husband, and together we have a mixed-race bi-lingual daughter. I follow a gluten-free diet, and I’m left-handed. These aspects of my life have impacted my experiences as a consumer.

And unfortunately, I’ve been frustrated by far too many brands who’ve ignored or underserved me and my unique needs, and ultimately sent me the signal “you don’t belong here.” I know I'm not the only one.

That’s a shame because business is about belonging.

When you make your customers feel like they belong with you, they will reward you with their attention, adoration, and loyalty.

My articles are published in:

The Belonging University Programs

Inclusive Brand Academy

In this 6-week digital course, you’ll learn how to build an inclusive brand that attracts a high-performing diverse team and consistently wins diverse and niche customers.

What's you'll receive:

• 5 Modules covering the 5 C's of building an inclusive brand: Company culture, Circle of influence, Customer intimacy, Customer journey mapping, and Customer experience delivery
• Workbook to help you work through and apply the lessons
• Community where you can connect and learn from your peers
• Lifetime access to the material, including all updates
• 6 Q&A calls where you can get feedback specific to your brand

iBel

iBelong Inclusivity HUB 

This membership community builds on the framework of building an inclusive brand taught in Inclusive Brand Academy, by giving you the specifics on inclusion-related topics, and action plans to help you apply the learnings.

Learn important background information and get ideas designed to increase your cultural intelligence. Apply them to your business in a way that helps you deliver more inclusive experiences. Get your questions answered from experts. All within a safe space. 

Each month you'll receive:

• In-depth report on an inclusive marketing topic full of examples and action steps
• News and content round-up of diversity, inclusion, and belonging happenings
• Community to chat, listen and learn from your peers 
• Interview with an industry expert on relevant topics
• Weekly office hours sessions where you can get your questions answered and get feedback on your campaigns

"As an agency owner and B2B marketer, I knew I had a responsibility to walk a more inclusive path in my business. But before I started Belonging U, it was difficult to know exactly where to start. I spent a lot of time taking baby steps in the right direction, and even more time agonizing over every setback. With the help of Sonia and the other amazing members of Belonging University, I now have relevant information, clear direction and above all, practical support in this journey. And while I know it won't always be easy, building a genuinely inclusive brand finally feels doable." 

-- Brittany Ryan, Pointed Copywriting

Your experience is extremely important to me. For Inclusive Brand Academy, if within 30 days you are not happy with the content, send a note requesting a refund, and I’ll return your money, no questions asked.

For the iBelong membership community, if within the first 30-days of your subscription, you are not happy with the content, send a note requesting a refund, and I’ll return your money, no questions asked.

If after that initial 30-day period, you no longer wish to receive the content, simply cancel your monthly subscription and you will no longer be billed. 

If you purchase the Belonging University bundle, if within 30 days you are not happy with the content, send a note requesting a refund, and I’ll return your money, no questions asked.

Your 30-Day Risk-Free Guarantee

© 2021 Sonia Thompson | Thompson Media Group

So it's time to stop fumbling over diversity, inclusion, and belonging in your business.

Send the signals that make diverse and niche consumers (and talent) feel like they belong with you...

Enroll in Belonging University Today

"It's been really helpful in being able to think through what it will take to become an inclusive brand both as a company and employer, as an employer brand and recruiting a diverse group of talent, as well as the type of marketing services that we're providing for our clients."

-- Karen Amundson, Apiary Digital

rather than ones that push them away