Diversity in the Workplace: Why Is the PR Industry Still 83% White?

Three years ago, Jamie Hampton finally understood a major issue in the PR industry: It’s 83% white. And he was part of the problem: Mixte’s staff didn’t represent its market demographics. Today, the team features economic, racial and gender diversity. But she didn’t stop. She turned her attention toward the industry. She launched a social enterprise PR agency that provides paid training to refugees and immigrants to bring diversity to the sector.

In this session, Hampton will share her path from an all-white team to a diverse team, her tested practices to change the homogeneity of her staff, and the mistakes she overcame to create an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity that makes this nation great. She also will share insights from her inaugural year as diversity chair of the PRSA Chapter in San Diego.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to: 
• Identify three immediate changes to make to recruit a more diverse talent pool.
• Outline the strategies to ensure their newly diverse workforce welcomes new perspectives.
• Determine out why the PR industry is a part of the problem and how they can change that.
• Identify three benefits a diverse workforce will bring to their PR business.