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High Point, Show News & Business

Diversity Advocacy Alliance Announces Formation as Independent Nonprofit

New organization builds on its High Point Market roots with an independent structure for partnerships, programming and broader reach.

10/20/2026
HIGH POINT, N.C. -- The Diversity Advocacy Alliance (DAA) announces its formation as an independent nonprofit corporation, marking a new chapter for an organization that began as an initiative supported by the High Point Market Authority.

The transition is designed to give DAA greater capacity to build relationships and partnerships, sustain its work throughout the year and reach professionals beyond High Point. The organization will carry forward the community, programming and industry engagement developed through its work at High Point Market while establishing independent governance and operations.

DAA works to increase representation, access, opportunity, connection and leadership for people who have been underrepresented across the furnishings and design industries. Its work recognizes that meaningful progress requires more than visibility: professionals and businesses must also be connected to relationships, resources and opportunities that position them to grow and lead.

DAA is not beginning this work from scratch. Through its High-Point-Market-based activities, the alliance has brought professionals together through educational programming, networking, mentorship and recognition since 2022. The DAA Awards have further elevated individuals and organizations contributing to a more representative and accessible industry.

As an independent organization, DAA intends to build on that foundation through year-round engagement, expanded collaboration and a broader national reach. The new structure will allow DAA to develop partnerships across the industry while remaining connected to the community and relationships established through High Point Market.

“This transition reflects both how far DAA has come and how much more the organization can contribute,” said Ben Johnston, chair of the Diversity Advocacy Alliance board. “We have built a community around the belief that underrepresented professionals should not simply be present. They should be seen, connected, supported and positioned to lead. Becoming an independent nonprofit gives us a stronger foundation for carrying that work forward throughout the year and across the country.”

DAA’s transition represents an evolution of its relationship with the High Point Market Authority, which provided an important platform for the initiative’s early work and helped it establish connections within the home furnishings community.

“DAA has created meaningful opportunities for learning, connection and recognition within the High Point Market community,” said Tammy Covington, president and CEO of the High Point Market Authority. “We are proud of the foundation built through this work and of the people whose leadership has helped DAA reach this important stage, and we celebrate their launch as an independent entity.”

The organization’s announcement coincided with the 2026 DAA Awards during the Fall High Point Market. Additional information about DAA, its leadership and its continuing work is available at diversityadvocacyalliance.org.
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