The Knot Worldwide Furthers Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Joins Open to All®

The Largest Global Digital Wedding Planning Company Pledges to Continue to Reject Discrimination and Offer an Inclusive Wedding Planning Experience Across its Platforms 

January 26, 2021, New York, NY—Today, The Knot Worldwide, the global leader in digital wedding planning, joined Open to All and signed the Business Pledge, committing to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 16 countries around the world, The Knot Worldwide’s leading global family of brands inspire, inform, and celebrate communities as they move through life’s biggest milestones. The Knot Worldwide, with leading U.S. wedding planning brands The Knot and WeddingWire, joins more than 500,000 businesses, large and small, and over 200 nonprofits, in partnering with Open to All. Open to All is the public education campaign focused on the longstanding principles that affirm when a business opens its doors to the public, it should be open to everyone on the same terms.  

“As the global leader in digital wedding planning, we are, and always have been, committed to ensuring that we are a brand for all. Since day one, The Knot Worldwide has welcomed all couples and wedding professionals on to our platforms—no matter their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression —and we stand by our core belief of inclusivity,” said Tawanda Johnson, Vice President of People and DE&I for The Knot Worldwide. “We are equally committed to being an employer of choice and understand the importance of equity and representation in the workplace. We are proud to further our commitment to DE&I by joining Open to All.”  

“Open to All is thrilled to welcome The Knot Worldwide to the Open to All coalition. From their demonstrated dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion in program and practice, to the launch of their new Fellowship for Change program, The Knot Worldwide has shown their deep commitment to the values of Open to All and to serving everyone with dignity and respect,” said Open to All Director Calla Rongerude. “As couples plan for the happiest day of their lives, they shouldn’t be worried that they or their guests will be discriminated against or mistreated. It is more important than ever for businesses to affirm inclusive values and The Knot Worldwide is leading the way in the wedding industry.” 

Open to All is a nonprofit nondiscrimination campaign that believes everyone should be welcome regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, immigration status, religion or disability. Open to All businesses who sign the pledge commit to maintaining a welcoming and safe environment for people—including employees, visitors, customers, vendors and clients—and to not discriminate against any individuals or deny them goods or services based on any of these characteristics.  

The Knot Worldwide’s most recent efforts around DE&I include the launch of Fellowship for Change, an eight-month intensive program that will provide career development opportunities for underrepresented wedding professionals in their first years of business. Created by WeddingPro—The Knot Worldwide’s business-to-business (B2B) brand that connects small businesses nationwide with millions of engaged couples through The Knot and WeddingWire—Fellowship for Change will offer qualifying small business owners (those who identify as Black, African American, Hispanic, Latinx, Native American, Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian, Other Pacific Islander, LGBTQ+, Woman-owned and/or Veteran-owned) exclusive educational resources, mentorship opportunities with renowned wedding professionals, networking, and financial support in the form of advertising on The Knot and WeddingWire. For more information about Fellowship for Change and to apply as a fellow or mentor, visit https://go.weddingpro.com/fellowship-for-change. The submission deadline for fellows and mentors is 11:59 p.m. ET on January 26th and Fellowship for Change will officially kick off for 30 fellows on March 1, 2021. 

Additionally, underrepresented wedding pros now have the option to identify their businesses within The Knot Marketplace and WeddingWire Vendor Directory using storefront badges and Diversity filters, including Asian-owned, Black-owned, Hispanic or Latinx-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, Native American-owned, Veteran-owned and Woman-owned. The filters will launch on The Knot and WeddingWire in February for couples to easily search and book wedding professionals.  

As millennials and Gen Z are two of the most diverse, multicultural generations in history, allyship has become an important component of wedding planning for couples, even if they don’t identify as part of an underrepresented group. Based on couple feedback, the ability to search for, and book wedding professionals who identify as one or more underrepresented groups is a growing wedding-planning priority. According to internal research from The Knot Worldwide, the majority of couples (55%) feel it’s important to be able to search for wedding businesses that are Black-owned, and further qualitative research indicates strong interest in also seeking out an inclusive and diverse vendor team. 

Never before have so many businesses and nonprofits joined together in a single, unified campaign that sends a message that everyone is welcome, valued and respected. Because when a business is open to the public, it should be open to all. Businesses can sign the pledge at http://www.opentoall.com/business-pledge/. For more information about the Open to All coalition, or today’s announcement, please visit www.OpenToAll.com. 

# # # 

About The Knot Worldwide 

With over four decades of expertise in the wedding industry, The Knot Worldwide is the largest global wedding planning company. The Knot Worldwide helps couples plan every aspect of their weddings, from finding inspiration and local wedding professionals to creating and managing all guest experiences, wedding registries and more through The Knot, WeddingWire, Bodas.net, Hitched.co.uk, WeddingWire.in, WeddingWire.ca, Matrimonio.com, Mariages.net and other brands. Having inspired and empowered more than 40 million couples to plan a wedding that’s uniquely them, The Knot Worldwide provides leading wedding marketplaces, personalized wedding websites, planning tools and registry services with its brands in 16 countries across North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia.  

The Knot Worldwide also includes lifestyle brands The Bump for pregnancy and parenting, The Bash for bringing important celebrations to life with entertainment vendors, How They Asked for proposal inspiration and stories and more. The company has US offices in New York, New York; Washington, DC; Norwalk, Connecticut; Austin, Texas; Omaha, Nebraska; and Portland, Oregon; and international offices in Barcelona, Spain; Galway, Ireland; Guangzhou, China; Gurgaon, India; and London, England. 

About Open to All 

Open to All is one of the most significant public education efforts to date that unites and galvanizes national leaders in business, civic engagement, and the nonprofit sector to support the shared American values of fairness and equality. In addition to the 500,000 business members, Open to All includes more than 200 nonprofit members spanning civil rights and racial justice organizations; LGBTQ equality organizations; health and disability organizations; faith organizations; and more. Open to All members are committed to building awareness and understanding about the importance of nondiscrimination—and to defend the bedrock principle that when businesses open their doors to the public, they should be Open to All. www.opentoall.com  

We Must End Systemic Racism; Companies Can Make a Real Difference

Open to All® is a campaign to transform America towards a shared vision that everyone should be welcome regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, immigration status, religion or disability.

The senseless and heartbreaking killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and countless others—and the hate violence and ongoing injustice experienced by the Black community shows how far we still are from that ideal.

We know that building a stronger country means everyone should feel safe, respected and accepted as they live, work, go grocery shopping, go for a run or a walk in the park, and when they interact with law enforcement.

Open to All® calls for an end to systemic racism and hate violence.

This moment requires Black voices to lead, and for the rest of us to truly listen and learn what real allyship requires. The time has long passed when silence is okay, when we watch from the safety of the sidelines—we must take action—not as a token towards inclusivity, but as a core and integral part of what it means to be a business in America. A business that looks towards a thriving and welcoming future where all are welcome. Where we are all valued. Where everyone can contribute. Where we are all safe. Where Black Lives Matter.

In the words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” At a time of deep divisions, Open to All® is encouraging companies to come together to build a better America and challenge racial injustice across this country. A journey begins with a single step. Here are just a few steps that companies, large and small, can take to make a difference:

  • Donate to a Black-led organization doing the work to fight racial injustice nationally and in local communities.
  • Make a public statement in support of Black customers, employees, colleagues and the Black community from company leadership and share it on social media.
  • Create a space for internal dialogue and provide resources, information and support to employees.
  • Make a commitment and continue to invest in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts including: hiring, retention & advancement policies, and anti-racist and bias training.
  • Engage with and listen to Black-led organizations nationally and locally to combat racism.
  • Explore ways to lift up, partner, and support businesses and brands owned by Black people, Indigenous people, and other people of color.
  • Lend a corporate or small business voice in support of policy changes at the local, state, and federal level that promote fairness and equity, and that prohibit all forms of discrimination.

We are proud to be a coalition of businesses who see fairness and inclusion as a core part of how they do business. Here are a few ways that Open to All® companies are making the commitment to end systemic racism and hate violence:

Airbnb

Ben & Jerry’s

Fossil

Gap Inc.

H&M

Levi Strauss & Co.

Lyft

Movado Group

Ralph Lauren

Sephora

Tapestry Inc.

Tiffany & Co.

Yelp

25 Leading Businesses Urge Action to Address Racial Disparities Exacerbated by the COVID-19 Global Pandemic

Leaders including fashion giants Gap Inc., Levi Strauss & Co., and American Eagle Outfitters Inc. and Open to All® call on corporations and businesses to combat racial disparities and fight anti-Asian racism

OAKLAND, CA, MAY 7, 2020—Twenty-five businesses from companies across the country have committed to addressing racial disparities by signing on to a letter from Open to All® urging the business community to examine and work to combat the disparities and discrimination that have caused the COVID-19 global crisis to disproportionately impact Black, Latinx/Hispanic, and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. The letter is in response to data that show COVID-19 is resulting in a sharp rise of anti-Asian racism and is killing far greater numbers of Black, Latinx/Hispanic people, as well as Pacific Islanders.

Led by Open to All®—the national nondiscrimination campaign that believes everyone should be welcome regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, immigration status, religion, or disability—the letter encourages all businesses and corporations who sign to work to combat racial disparities and denounce anti-Asian American and Pacific Islander racism in their communities.

“COVID-19 is not the ‘great equalizer,’ as some have called it,” said Open to All® Campaign Director Calla Rongerude. “Rather, it is a profound reminder of how inequalities continue to permeate all areas of life. While the pandemic’s impact has reached far and wide, communities of color have been hit with the greatest ferocity. There are many factors at play, but some of the most significant are inequities in employment, pay, and access to healthcare—areas in which the business community can make a real difference. While many of these companies are themselves reeling from the crisis, they recognize the need to come together, now more than ever, to address the racial inequities that have been laid bare by COVID-19, and we thank them for their leadership.”

The letter was signed by AEO Inc., which includes brands American Eagle and Aerie; Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream; Capri Holdings Limited, which includes brands Jimmy Choo, Michael Kors, and Versace; Gap Inc., which includes brands Athleta, Banana Republic, Gap, Hill City, Intermix, and Old Navy; H&M; Lacoste; Levi Strauss & Co.; Movado Group, Inc.; Ralph Lauren; Steve Madden; and Tapestry, Inc., which includes brands Coach, kate spade new york, and Stuart Weitzman.

While businesses have different capacities to weather this storm and are facing difficult decisions in the coming months, these leaders are taking necessary action in both the immediate and long terms to protect their workers, customers, and communities. Open to All® is encouraging consumers to support businesses large and small that are doing the right thing like following best-practice safety protocols as well as those that are offering services like delivery or online ordering. In partnership with Yelp, consumers can search for Open to All® businesses on Yelp.com. This allows customers to find businesses that have pledged to be a safe and welcoming place to everyone.

Open to All® has also launched a new resource page to support employees, protect the health and wellbeing of customers and communities, sustain businesses large and small, and combat racial disparities and anti-Asian and Pacific Islander racism. Click here for the Open to All® COVID-19 Resource page.

“No matter what we look like, where we live, or our socioeconomic status, this global pandemic reminds us that at our core we’re all just human. This virus has shown us that we are dependent on one another, and whether we’re Black or White, Latinx or Asian, working behind the scenes or on the front lines, it’s time to come together in support of each other,” said Rongerude.

Click here to read the sign-on letter.

###

About Open to All®

Open to All® is one of the most significant public education efforts to date that unites and galvanizes national leaders in business, civic engagement, and the nonprofit sector to take a stand for shared American values of fairness and equality. In addition to the thousands of business members, Open to All® includes more than 200 nonprofit members spanning civil rights and racial justice organizations; LGBT equality organizations; health and disability organizations; faith organizations; and more. Open to All® members are committed to building awareness and understanding about the importance of nondiscrimination—and to defend the bedrock principle that when businesses open their doors to the public, they should be Open to All®.

Businesses that wish to join Open to All® can learn more and sign the pledge at http://www.opentoall.com/business-members/#business-pledge.

Open to All® Releases Inaugural Holiday Gift Guide to Harness Consumer Purchase Power In Support of Inclusive Businesses This Holiday Season

Yelp Activates New Search Filter Allowing Consumers to Easily Find ‘Open to All’ Businesses

DES MOINES, IOWA, NOVEMBER 21, 2019 — As the 2019 holiday season approaches, Open to All® today released its first-ever Open to All® Holiday Gift Guide to encourage consumers to use their purchase power this holiday season to support inclusive businesses. Open to All® is the nation’s largest campaign galvanizing leaders in business, civic engagement, and the nonprofit sector in support of shared American values of fairness and equality. The Holiday Gift Guide features products from some of the most iconic brands at every price point from an array of inclusive retailers, celebrating the core principle that any business that is open to the public should make every person feel safe and welcome—regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, immigration status, religion or disability.  

“Never before have so many businesses and nonprofits joined together in a single, unified campaign that sends a message that everyone is welcome, valued and respected,” said Calla Rongerude, Campaign Director of Open to All®. “With the Open to All® Holiday Gift Guide, we want to encourage people to give the gift of inclusion and send the message that when a business is open to the public, it should be Open to All®. At a time of deep divisions, Open to All® nonprofits and businesses are joining together from all walks of life and working to build a thriving and inclusive nation where all are welcome. When we value our employees and care for our customers and each other, we all thrive.” 

Among the Holiday Gift Guide’s featured businesses is leading omni-retailer Sephora, which officially announced today it has joined the Open to All® campaign, alongside thousands of retailers and brands that have already taken the Open to All® business pledge. As Open to All’s newest business member, Sephora joins a growing and vocal network of major brands uniting under Open to All’s banner—many of which are included in the Holiday Gift Guide—including Yelp, Gap Inc., Old Navy, Coach, kate spade new york, Chronicle Books, Fossil, Lacoste, Michaels Craft Stores, Steve Madden, H&M, and thousands of small businesses. 

Building on Open to All’s ongoing work with Yelp, starting today, people can filter by “Open to All”—an attribute which allows businesses to distinguish themselves as a safe and welcoming place to everyone—when searching for restaurants, shops, bakeries, tailors, and much more. Yelp users will also be able to identify participating businesses by the newly designed “Open to All” icon displayed on their Yelp page. These new features make it easier than ever for consumers to support inclusive businesses.  

“At Yelp, we believe everyone should be treated with dignity and respect,” said Miriam Warren, Vice President of Engagement, Diversity and Belonging at Yelp. “It’s our hope that by updating the platform to make it easier to find inclusive businesses, users will support establishments that are safe and welcoming spaces for all, and more business owners will activate the attribute. Yelp exists to connect consumers with great local businesses, and we’re doing our part to make it easier for all of our consumers to patronize stores, salons, and more, without fear of discrimination.” 

Over 300,000 businesses are listed as “Open to All” on Yelp. Businesses that want to let potential customers know that they are inclusive can activate the attribute on their Yelp page by logging into their Yelp for Business Owners app and updating their information. 

Consumers Increasingly Demonstrating their Values through Purchasing 

The Open to All® Holiday Gift Guide comes at a time when consumers are demonstrating a strong preference for supporting welcoming businesses.  

Research shows that people shop from places that share their values. One report found that 72% of consumers see a company’s values as a deal breaker or deciding factor when considering which brand to buy. Moreover, 69% want brands to be more involved in societal issues and express their values. 

Another study found that a third of consumers want to buy from brands that are making a positive social or environmental impact. Supporting businesses with a purpose is especially meaningful for young people. According to one survey, nearly two-thirds of millennials and Gen Z favor brands that have a point of view and stand for something. 

“I started RAYGUN because I wanted to add something to the community I grew up in,” said Mike Draper, founder and owner of RAYGUN, which sells t-shirts, stickers, notebooks, postcards in stores across the Midwest. “I can think of nothing better than for this to be a space where everyone is welcome. Where they may like the product, or not, but where they are free to come in, to shop, and to be themselves.” 

The Holiday Gift Guide can be accessed on Open to All’s website here: www.opentoall.com/2019giftguide. For more information about the Holiday Guide, or to speak with an Open to All® representative, please contact calla@opentoall.com.  

Businesses that wish to join Open to All® can learn more and sign the pledge at http://www.opentoall.com/business-members/#business-pledge. 

# # # 

About Open to All®  

Open to All® is one of the most significant public education efforts to date that unites and galvanizes national leaders in business, civic engagement, and the nonprofit sector to take a stand for shared American values of fairness and equality. In addition to the thousands of business members, Open to All® includes more than 200 nonprofit members spanning civil rights and racial justice organizations; LGBT equality organizations; health and disability organizations; faith organizations; and more. Open to All® members are committed to building awareness and understanding about the importance of nondiscrimination—and to defend the bedrock principle that when businesses open their doors to the public, they should be Open to All®.