Announcements

  • October is Diversity and Inclusion Month

    This October we are proud to celebrate Diversity & Inclusion Month, which allows us to recognize the importance of continuing to create awareness of this essential topic and to recommit ourselves to actively promoting change for the betterment of PRSA and the communications profession.
     
    It is more imperative than ever that the communications landscape reflects the world’s increasingly diverse composition. With that in mind, in 2019 PRSA launched a three-phase study, approved by our Board of Directors, to ensure that our programs and activities are in alignment with the changing needs of our members. Phases I and II included interviews and focus groups with more than 60 PRSA representatives from across the U.S., among them D&I chairs, current and former local Chapter presidents, district board members and other district leaders.
     
    The final phase of the study is a survey, the results of which will help us better understand your perspectives on this subject and inform the creation of a responsive three-year strategic plan. The survey is open to all members and will be distributed by market research firm Bonney & Company. You will receive an email from the firm directly within the next day or two – the survey is open until October 25 and I hope you will take a moment to contribute your opinions on this very important topic.
     
    Diversity & Inclusion Month is also about learning and the exchange of ideas, and I encourage you to participate in these upcoming events:
     
    October 10 (6:00 PM, EDT)
    Twitter chat: Transforming the Landscape

    Join the discussion at #PRDiversity
     
    October 29 (4:00 PM, EDT)
    Webinar: From the Classroom to the Boardroom

    Shanita Baraka Akintonde, MBA, M.Ed., DTM, PRSA 2019 D&I Committee Chair, provides an “insider’s view” of what she has learned from undergraduate public relations students.
     
    I would like to thank the National D&I Committee, led by Shanita in partnership with board liaison Felicia Blow, APR, for their tireless work this year on the research project and their continuing efforts to help increase the visibility and application of our D&I values and goals. And thank you for your continued membership and involvement in PRSA.
     
    Best regards,
    Debra D. Peterson, APR
    2019 PRSA National Chair