Jahylin McKee’s Post

Hold The PRess went through all the categories on this year’s Observer’s PR Power list to fully understand the scope of the firms and agencies recognized. Upon seeing these numbers, it’s hard not to feel that something is amiss, as there are Black-owned agencies out there meeting metrics and doing impactful work. The only plausible explanation for their absence is a lack of care and attention from those compiling these lists. It exemplifies the industry’s tendency to pay lip service to #diversity without following through with meaningful action. In 2020, there was a shift, with Black PR professionals becoming more outspoken about the challenges they face in this industry. Our industry claimed to listen, learn, and take actionable steps toward improvement in an effort to spur honest efforts toward change. However, instances like this list’s glaring omissions call that into question. This reflects larger systemic and industry issues and is another recent example of the dismissal and outright discrimination the media displays in amplifying or suppressing the work of Black talent across #PR, #marketing, and #advertising. We must continue pushing for true equity and inclusion in tangible ways, not just empty platitudes.If you believe in the importance of diversity and inclusion in our industry, please consider adding your name to this open letter. Together, we can make a difference. Read the letter and sign via https://lnkd.in/eHfxE_-i

It’s never too late to talk about #diversityandinclusion within the comms industry. Hold The PRess’ recent open letter highlights the disparities within The Observer’s PR Power List, touching on the underrepresentation of Black-owned firms and professionals. They’re calling for “action, accountability, and transparency” in the public relations industry and acknowledgment of the fact that out of the eight firms nominated or recognized on the list, none were entirely Black-owned. Of the 138 professionals highlighted, there were only 4 Black individuals, and a mere 1 of the 4 was in a leadership position. At WhitPR, we’ve experienced firsthand the systemic challenges faced by independently owned Black firms. We thrive despite the gaps in industry coverage that downplay the billions of impressions we earn through diligent and strategic advocacy for our clients. Trust me, it’s not just about being recognized; because PR is often a thankless industry, it’s about being included in meaningful conversations and opportunities. Discrimination takes many forms, from overt blacklisting to subtle oversight. Black agencies tend to only be recognized when it comes to Black campaigns and by Black institutions. This limits their opportunities in other spaces. Being sidelined from “mainstream” dialogues ensures that they are only thought of as able to fit into certain slots. We are capable of more than that. We have demonstrated that over and over, but we’re still overlooked for other opportunities, even if they have glowing track records in other spaces. LinkedIn is the place to foster connections so let’s see how we can collaborate and create a more equitable future. Email me at dreena@whitpr.com to start the conversation. 

Good for you

I am not even sure what to say, when I first joined the advertising industry I’ve always been vocal about increasing representation in advertising and in our campaigns in an authentic way. Instead of being negative I worked to lead IGNITE a programme created to promote and encourage individuals from lower social economic backgrounds, ethnic diversity and from a gender perspective. This post isn’t about the programme it’s about authentic actions to increase representation in advertising/marketing. I have been given a unique opportunity to be apart of the The Black Network to go to Cannes. Cephas Williams is giving the opportunity for 50 black people to go to Cannes -#BLACKOUT This initiative is a call out to organisations connected to marketing and creative industries to ensure the presence of black talent at Cannes.Building on previous years momentum, the black network will again facilitate the presence of new and outstanding black people in creative , marketing and comms industries. And I am going !! What is sad about this is,there were over 1,000 applications which shows the need for this but also the commitment for other organisations to help get involved. A message from Cephas- “If I could take more people I would. But I can only afford to take just under 5% of those who applied. As much as we can only take 50, this is far from a competition, this is about a much bigger message to the industry and I seriously value everyone who has applied themselves to the work I do and this process. It’s not about individual success, it’s about collective growth and systemic change.” #cannesfestival #blackout #strongertogerher #talent #representation

Following the #BlackLivesMatter movement in 2020, several organizations have been speaking up about the struggles and resilience of Black communities. For marketing and comms professionals, Black History Month can simply become another campaign to fill up your editorial calendar and stay “woke.” Are your organization’s posts performative or intentional? Do your actions align with your posts? Here’s a snippet from a blog post last summer written by our team members Des'ree Isibor and Michaela Konken on performative campaigns: “When developing content or campaigns for themed celebrations, strive to create evergreen content that can remain relevant months after ‘no one is talking about it. Think big-picture and what role your organization plays, or can play, in the grand scheme of things.” Start a conversation. Show real commitment all year round. A themed logo and aesthetic social media graphic are the bare minimum. Check out the full blog post here: https://lnkd.in/eSEDwMTa #bhm2024 #performativeposts #Coastinsights

The PR industry has a diversity problem, and Observer annual lists are a stark reminder of how much work still needs to be done. Two years ago, Hold the PRess called attention to the lack of diversity and representation in Observer's annual PR lists. We find ourselves in 2024, once again disappointed by the glaring underrepresentation of Black talent and Black-led agencies in their latest PR Power list. When all of our work isn't celebrated and amplified, the systems of oppression continue to thrive. A united front is the only way we can create real change. In continuation of our long-standing commitment to advocacy and diversity, we're proud to stand with our colleagues in calling for meaningful change and greater representation of Black talent and Black-led agencies. If you believe in the importance of diversity and inclusion in our industry, please consider adding your name to this open letter. Together, we can make a difference. Read the letter and sign via https://lnkd.in/ehW_648T

Meet our next #BlackHistoryMonth member spotlight – Kennedy Pitts with Tony Fay PR. In honor of Black History Month, we are spotlighting members of the PRSA Dallas community throughout February, asking them what this month means to them as a PR professional and more.   ❓ What does Black History Month mean to you as a PR and comms practitioner? 💬 As a PR practitioner, Black History Month presents a valuable opportunity to celebrate, highlight and amplify the often overlooked stories and voices within the Black community. It's a chance to shine a spotlight on experiences and contributions that shape our society, fostering greater understanding and appreciation for Black history and culture.   ❓ What can we, as a professional community do more of to foster more diverse representation for Black practitioners in the industry? 💬 As a professional community, we can actively seek out and support Black practitioners by providing mentorship and networking opportunities as well as advocating for Black voices in decision-making processes to foster more equitable representation.   ❓ Who is a Black voice that has used their voice in a way that inspires, uplifts and has made an impact on you. Why was their method or style of communication effective? 💬 Ava DuVernay is a Black filmmaker who advocates for diversity in Hollywood and she has used her voice to uplift marginalized communities and challenge societal norms. Her method of communication is effective because she skillfully utilizes film as a platform for storytelling, amplifying black voices that are often overlooked and sparking meaningful conversations about representation and social justice. ➡️ Looking for DEI resources? Check out PRSA resources designed to help you champion diversity, equity and inclusion through your public relations work at https://lnkd.in/d_k7djBa.  ➡️ Interested in learning more about PRSA Dallas (the 3rd largest PRSA chapter) and becoming a member? Visit our website at https://lnkd.in/eMrCaA6 #PRSADallas #BlackHistory #LeadershipSpotlight #PRSA #PR #BlackVoices #MemberSpotlight #DEI #StrategicCommunications

The PR industry continues to have a diversity problem. And while four years ago so many companies, PR leaders and professionals vowed to do better and make change, we know that, that progress was short lived. In reviewing Observer's "2024 Most Powerful Public Relations Firms—And the People Behind Them" list this week, my excitement to review who made the list quickly turned to disappointment. They expanded their normal list, to include 11 additional sublists (new for 2024) to create visibility for smaller but equally important specialty PR firms -- which is great news! However, in this expansion they still glaringly underrepresented Black talent and completely erased Black-owned/founded agencies from their PR Power List. Let me share some numbers: - 80 PR firms were recognized in the Power List -116 PR Leaders that help power aforementioned firms were acknowledged. -22 PR rising stars at aforementioned firms were also acknowledged Stay with me... -Of the 80 PR firms recognized, 55 were small specialty shops, yet 0 (zero) black owned firms were recognized. -Despite increasing the number of PR leaders highlighted from 35 to 138, the percentage of representation held steady year over year at a measly 2.8% - And my favorite stat of all....(sarcasm) there were 0 Black women in leadership on this list at all. While many will try to dismiss it as just 'a meaningless power list' or a byproduct of a shortage of qualified candidates. Spare me! The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Black students earn 9.5% of all bachelor's degrees in communication and journalism, yet they remain underrepresented in the PR industry. These lists and those like them fail to reflect even the modest levels of representation and instead perpetuate a cycle of exclusion and underrepresentation. It is time for Observer to live up to its responsibility as the industry leader it claims to be and champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of its work. https://lnkd.in/dEGh54Q2

It’s Time To Turn Diversity Talk Into Action In The PR Industry ‼️ As someone deeply invested in the Public Relations industry, I was disheartened by the recent PR Power List from The Observer. The omission of Black-led agencies and their founders highlights a glaring diversity issue that cannot be ignored. Representation matters, not just as a checkbox, but as a catalyst for change and innovation. It's time for action, accountability, and transparency in our industry. We need to amplify Black talent and acknowledge the invaluable contributions of Black-owned/Black-led agencies. Diversity isn't just a buzzword; it's the cornerstone of progress and inclusivity. Achieving progress means being honest with ourselves about the current state of the industry and recognizing that it will take collective effort and accountability to build a more diverse, equitable and inclusive PR profession. Let's call on The Observer and other industry leaders to recognize and celebrate the brilliance of Black PR professionals. Together, we can build a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive future for the PR profession. Read the letter and sign via https://lnkd.in/eHfxE_-i

Cya, know policy, regulations and doucument or/recored everything.