Following global backlash for placing a young Black model in a hoodie reading “Coolest Monkey in the Jungle,” H&M has hired a global diversity director.
The popular clothing company, which boasts over 4,500 stores throughout the world, announced the new role on Tuesday:
“The recent incident was entirely unintentional, but it demonstrates so clearly how big our responsibility is as a global brand. We have reached out, around the world, inside and outside H&M to get feedback. Our commitment to addressing diversity and inclusiveness is genuine, therefore we have appointed a global leader, in this area, to drive our work forward. There will be more from us soon.”
The statement was accompanied by a photo of the words: “We Are Listening.”
The Associated Press reports H&M’s global manager for employee relations Annie Wu will be occupying the new position.
In addition to the backlash the brand received from social media and news outlets, several of its stores in South Africa were vandalized over the weekend leading the company to temporarily shut down all of its stores in the country.
