Published November 24, 2025 · The Digital Desk at America Publishers
Inkluded and the Push for Real Diversity in Publishing
Despite years of conversation around equity in publishing, the industry continues to face deep-rooted diversity challenges. New data shows movement, but not enough and that’s where organizations like Inkluded are stepping in with practical, long-term solutions designed to open doors for new voices. Through partnerships with major publishers and accessible educational programs, Inkluded is helping shape a more inclusive future while encouraging the industry to rethink how talent enters and advances.
The publishing world has long acknowledged its diversity problem, and surveys continue to reveal an imbalance that affects who gets hired, who gets heard, and which stories reach the shelves. Yet alongside this persistent gap is a new momentum powered by organizations working beyond traditional structures. Founded in 2017, Inkluded represents one of the most focused efforts to challenge these inequities, combining education, community support, and strategic partnerships to broaden access from the ground up.
For decades, publishing has operated within a narrow demographic profile, and the numbers still reflect that reality. According to the 2024 Diversity Baseline Survey by Lee & Low Books, 72.5 percent of the industry identified as white. PW’s 2024 salary and jobs report painted a similar picture, noting that 76 percent of respondents that year also identified as white. While these statistics show a slight shift from earlier surveys, they highlight how far the industry remains from balanced representation.
Still, newer data introduces a hint of change. Among publishing professionals who have entered the field in the last six years, the percentage of white-identifying individuals has decreased to 61 percent, a sign that new entry pathways may be widening. This shift aligns with the rise of grassroots initiatives, mentorship-based programs, and more intentional conversations around equitable hiring. Yet the journey remains uneven, and representation alone does not guarantee sustained access, support, or career growth.
The industry’s diversity issue extends beyond numbers. It shapes which stories gain visibility, who receives development opportunities, and how publishing evolves culturally. This context makes Inkluded’s mission not only timely but essential.
Founded in 2017, Inkluded was created to address a truth many aspiring BIPOC professionals already understood: entering the publishing industry is often less about talent and more about access. With many roles hidden behind informal networks, geographic limitations, and unclear entry points, the field has historically favored those with built-in advantages. Inkluded steps in to level this playing field through education, exposure, and community-driven support.
Instead of offering theoretical instruction, Inkluded provides practical, day-to-day insights into roles across editorial, marketing, publicity, rights, production, and other functions that sustain the industry. This matters deeply, as newcomers often only encounter the most visible pathways, usually editorial or agenting, despite the industry depending on a wide range of specialized skills.
A key part of Inkluded’s value lies in community-building. Participants gain not only classroom-style guidance but access to a broader network of industry professionals. This network approach helps emerging talent understand the landscape more fully and take confident, informed steps in pursuing publishing careers that match their strengths.
Inkluded’s rapid growth over the past year underscores both the urgency of its mission and the industry’s increased openness to collaboration. A major milestone arrived with its partnership with Hachette Book Group in June, followed by a partnership with Macmillan in September. These collaborations offer more than visibility, they provide financial support that strengthens Inkluded’s public programming and deepens its connection to mainstream publishing.
According to Cecilia Gray, Inkluded’s director of operations, funding from these partnerships helps sustain the organization’s public event series, which introduces attendees to the range of publishing roles and the various pathways into them. For many, these events serve as a first point of access to professionals they might otherwise never encounter.
The involvement of two Big Five publishers also signals increased institutional trust. Their support not only amplifies Inkluded’s reach but weaves the organization more closely into traditional industry networks. As more major houses take notice, Inkluded’s role as a bridge for underrepresented talent becomes increasingly visible and increasingly vital.
At the center of Inkluded’s work is the Inkluded Academy, a tuition-free, eight-week publishing boot camp structured to reduce common barriers to entry. Conducted virtually and held on weekends, the academy accommodates those who cannot relocate or pause their jobs to attend traditional full-time programs.
The curriculum offers a thorough look at key departments, including editorial, marketing, publicity, production, and rights. This wide-angle approach allows participants to understand the interconnected nature of the industry while discovering areas that align with their skills and interests. Beyond its coursework, the academy connects graduates to a network of mentors and employers who provide guidance on next steps, job applications, and early career decisions.
The model has proved effective. Since 2019, the program has graduated nine students annually and maintains a job placement rate of approximately 75 percent. A standout example is Danielle Maldonado, who completed the academy in 2022, transitioned from a nonprofit background into managing editorial, and eventually moved into a managing editor role at Ballantine Books. Her experience illustrates how targeted support and exposure can reshape career trajectories for emerging professionals.
While the academy is Inkluded’s flagship program, the organization also focuses on expanding public understanding of the industry’s lesser-known career paths. Many newcomers are familiar only with editorial and agenting roles, largely because these positions dominate pop culture representations of publishing. Yet behind the scenes, fields like production, rights, and managing editorial are equally essential.
Inkluded’s Spotlight series brings together industry professionals for in-person conversations about these specialized roles, offering real insight into areas that don’t often appear in mainstream discussions. Recent sessions have covered topics such as audiobook publishing and YA editorial acquisitions, giving attendees exposure to the full spectrum of publishing functions.
The Pathways program, launched in 2024, extends this effort through virtual workshops that break down different roles and outline actionable steps to pursue them. Both Spotlight and Pathways are free and open to the public, ensuring that industry knowledge is accessible to anyone seeking it, not only to academy participants.
As Inkluded grows, the organization remains focused on expanding opportunity while navigating a shifting cultural and political climate. Gray hopes to see all Big Five publishers engage with Inkluded’s work, strengthening pipelines for underrepresented talent and increasing the support available to graduates seeking employment.
At the same time, she acknowledges that the current political environment has made conversations around diversity more contentious, creating an “uphill battle” for organizations advocating for inclusive change. Even so, Inkluded’s progress has been driven by consistent support from individuals who believe deeply in its mission and have been involved since the start.
Looking ahead, Inkluded plans to deepen its mentorship network, expand post-academy support, and continue broadening its programming. Its work stands as a reminder that meaningful change in publishing requires persistence, community, and a willingness to challenge long-standing structures that limit access.
Inkluded’s continued rise reflects a growing demand for inclusivity, transparency, and opportunity across the publishing industry. As the organization expands its partnerships and programming, it remains a crucial force in shaping a future where careers are defined by potential rather than privilege.
Source: Publishers Weekly reporting and Inkluded’s official announcements. Read more at PublishersWeekly.com and Inkluded.org.