Working Toward a More Diverse Profession
While the practice of public relations in the United States has undergone dramatic changes, a lack of diversity in the communications profession persists. Many studies indicate that the industry still struggles to attract young black, Asian and Hispanic professionals to pursue public relations as their career of choice.
The Diversity & Inclusion Committee is devoted to building consciousness by increasing visibility of D&I standards, resources and best practices for racial, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation and gender differences, as well as diverse skill sets, mindsets and cultures at all levels of the organization.
The D&I Committee commends PR firms and organizations that have established more diverse workplace environments, and those that have established management programs to help minority groups and LGBT practitioners move up the corporate ladder.
Also, the D&I Committee works closely with the PRSA Foundation, which helps drive diversity within public relations by funding numerous research initiatives for underserved populations, PR firms and employees.
Responding to Racial Injustice with Change and Healing Part II
Responding to Racial Injustice with Change and Healing Part II
Recorded Jun 18, 2020, 11 a.m. EDT
Panelists: Anita Ford Saunders, APR, Felicia Blow, APR, Kim Clark, and Deme Jackson
Just as in the previous session, we will keep this an open conversation where panelists will share their insights and answer questions from attendees. We’ll focus on the following themes that surfaced in the first session:
- Advising leaders on communicating the Black Lives Matters movement and taking the necessary actions beyond just saying the right words.
- Recognizing and stopping “minstrelism” and tokenism in your organization
While we will provide some actionable takeaways, including sharing links to resources that will be useful in building your strategy moving forward, our main objective is to answer your questions and build your confidence in having authentic and honest discussions about racial injustice and diversity and inclusion.
Responding to Racial Injustice with Change and Healing
Responding to Racial Injustice with Change and Healing
Recorded Jun 4, 2020
Panelists: Anita Ford Saunders, APR, Felicia Blow, APR, Kim Clark, and Deme Jackson
As communications professionals, our voice is critical in bringing about change within our organizations. We need to have confidence in speaking to our leadership teams and pushing forward conversations among our employees about current events and social
matters. We are in a critical moment as human beings to stand up and speak up on the issue of racial injustice.
We have brought together leaders and experts in Diversity and Inclusion to share insights and best practices that will guide
communications professionals in having critical conversations to ensure that real change happens. Our goal is for PRSA and PRSSA members to walk away with ideas and resources for having conversations with their leadership teams about ensuring Diversity
and Inclusion is not just a focus in this critical moment but remains a foundational part of the values of all organizations moving forward. Specifically, we want our members to be confident in leading conversations within their organizations about
the Black Lives Matter movement and combating racism.
PRSA Diversity & Inclusion Month
Felicia Blow, APR
Associate Vice President of Development
Hampton University
Hampton, VA 23668
Andrea Gils Monzon
Marketing and Communications Manager
University of Kentucky - International Center
Lexington, KY 40506
Anita Ford Saunders, APR
Owner/Principal
AFS Communication
Shanita Baraka Akintonde, MBA, M.Ed., DTM
Associate Professor
Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL 60605
Jorge Francisco D'Garay
President and CEO
MXUS Public Relations
San Diego, CA 92143
Jeneen Garcia
Executive Director of PRSSA
Public Relations Society of America
New York, N.Y.
Diversity Awards
Chapter Diversity Awards
The PRSA Diversity & Inclusion Committee will award up to two PRSA Chapters with a Chapter Diversity Award. The awards are given to Chapters that embody and demonstrate key values in diversity and inclusion, and that contribute to advancing diversity as shown by submissions of their best practices and/or case studies. These awards recognize their local efforts, as well as provide further support for continued achievements at the Chapter level.
PRSA 2020 Chapter Diversity & Inclusion Award Winners:
First Place: Minnesota PRSA Chapter
Second Place: Orange County PRSA Chapter
Honorable Mention: Central Ohio PRSA Chapter
The 2021 D&I Chapter Awards application will be posted in July 2021.
D. Parke Gibson Pioneer Award
Established in 1990, the D. Parke Gibson Pioneer Award is PRSA’s highest individual honor presented to a PR professional who has contributed to increased awareness of public relations within multicultural communities and has participated in promoting issues that meet the needs of these diverse communities.
The winner of the 2020 D. Parke Gibson Award was Marsha R. Pitts-Phillips.
The 2021 D. Parke Gibson Pioneer Award application will be posted in July 2021.
Diversity Tool Kit
The D&I Toolkit provides members with diversity-related research, materials, applicable tools and professional development opportunities.
Its creation rests on two objectives:
- To educate members by providing them with the resources they need to help them manage the diversity and inclusion initiatives of their own Chapters, Districts and Sections
- To influence the composition of their professional development and membership so that the diversity of its membership reflects and embraces the diversity of the profession
Download the PRSA 2020 Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit.
A Celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
PRSA Webinar recorded May 19, 2020
Foundation programs focus on three pillars: Industry best practices, mentorship imperative and career catalyst.
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