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An update on HBG’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts (April 2025)  

Hachette Book Group shared its sixth annual report on HBG’s progress in diversity, equity and inclusion.     

CEO David Shelley said, “HBG’s mission is to make it easy for everyone to discover new worlds of ideas, learning, entertainment, and opportunity. Changing the Story is a key strategic pillar supporting this mission, and it aims to align our publishing and organization with the diverse perspectives of the readers we serve; it is imperative that we publish for all, especially those historically underserved by the industry. Through superb leadership by Chief People Officer Carrie Bloxson, DEI Director Sara Munjack, and collective effort across HBG, we made progress in 2024 and I’m proud of this growth. There is still a long journey ahead for our business but HBG’s commitment to this work is unwavering. We will do everything possible to realize this vision.”    

Sara Munjack, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Hachette Book Group added, “Our annual reporting, launched in 2020, is one way we hold ourselves accountable to building a more inclusive, responsive, and representative publishing company. Changing the Story is about creating a publishing ecosystem that aligns with the richness of our readership and empowers our teams at every level. This is not just a values-driven commitment—it’s a strategic one, and we’re in it for the long haul.” 

Highlights: Staff, Career Advancement, and Publishing

  1. Our overall staff diversity increased bringing us to 37.8% BIPOC representation.  
  2. 47% of our new hires in 2024 identified as BIPOC. 
  3. We saw an increase in BIPOC representation at the VP+ level and among non-exempt staff, including in Distribution.  
  4. Our contracts with BIPOC authors and illustrators accounted for 23% of all acquisitions.  

*BIPOC = Black, Indigenous, (and) People of Color

Leadership 

  • While BIPOC representation at HBG grew slightly overall, at the VP level it increased over 4% and decreased about 2% at the Director level.
  • Recruitment, Hiring, and Culture
  • 47% of our new hires in 2024 identify as BIPOC, compared to 54% in 2023.
  • We increased the frequency of training for hiring managers that promotes inclusivity and eliminates bias.
  • We continued training in 2024 with our DEI Learning Session series hosted by HBG and led by experts on topics such as neurodiversity, religious diversity, psychological safety, allyship, and mental health.

Partnerships 

  • We are continuing our partnership with Latinx Kidlit Book Festival to bring back their Latinx Storytellers Conference for a second year in a row in NYC for hundreds of Latinx/e/a/o children and adult book writers in September. 
  • We’re also a major sponsor in supporting the National Hispanic Media Coalition’s Impact Awards, celebrating those who have had a positive influence on the Latine community. 
  • This September we’ll also be launching our inaugural Changing the Story Festival which brings our Changing the Story pillar to life through engaging panels and activities celebrating our diverse publishing catalogue and initiatives, as well as ways we can learn and improve. The theme for this year is Connecting Global Voices and will include Hachette voices from all over the world as well as our authors and industry professionals.  
  • As a part of our Right to Read program, where we aim to get books into the hands of incarcerated, we are furthering our partnership with Bard Prison Initiative to furnish prison libraries across the country, as well as lead and implement prison book clubs.  
  • Our LGBTQIA+ & Gender Non-Conforming Employee Resource Group (ERG), alongside our AAPI ERG, is hosting a Pride in Writing event featuring HBG authors and graphic artists Aatmaja Pandya and Mike Curato, in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month and Pride Month. Many of our other ERG’s are hosting events throughout the year.  

Additional Industry Initiatives: Fighting Book Bans and Protecting Freedom of Expression 

HBG plays an active role in industry campaigns that address book banning and protect freedom of expression through financial donations, via our work with organizations that support marginalized authors and freedom of speech, through social media amplification, and HBG author participation.   

For more information see Changing the Story at HBG.