Editor’s note: In celebration of Black History Month in February, PRSA invited leaders in the public relations profession to offer their views on diversity and inclusion and their ideas for achieving greater diversity in the industry.
As leading PR practitioners, it is our responsibility to ensure we capture all sides of the story when pitching to the media. By sharing diverse perspectives and viewpoints, the stories which are covered by the media will be the most reflective and accurate of our communities.
In recognition of Black History Month, the PRSA Diversity & Inclusion Committee in partnership with the National Association of Black Journalists, hosted a Twitter chat on Wednesday, February 17, 2016, to further discuss this subject and how we can better work with our colleagues in media.
Using the hastags #diversityinmedia #PRDiversity – PRSA members, students, journalists and other media professionals tweeted about this timely subject. Participants shared how important it is for both sides of the table to have diverse voices – from PR to press, why we as leaders in our professions need to help build that diverse and inclusive pipeline, share our voices in the room, and to advocate for stories which normally wouldn’t be covered by mainstream press.
The conversation continued well after the scheduled hour and sparked engagement across the country.
Here are a few highlights:
Diversity in Media
T1: 1. As PR pros, we need to capture all sides of the story when pitching to the media. Why is diversity in media important? #PRdiversity
— PRSA Diversity Com.. (@PRSADiversity) February 18, 2016
@PRSADiversity Diversity in the media is important to reflect true representation in the communities they serve fairly. #PRDiversity
— Karvis Jones (@KarvisJones) February 18, 2016
PERSPECTIVES are so important when you talk about #DiversityInMedia #PRDiversity
— Haniyyah Sharpe (@OnPoint24_7) February 18, 2016
Q2: Diverse viewpoints offer most reflective & accurate stories of our communities. What do you do to include those? #PRDiversity
— PRSA Diversity Com.. (@PRSADiversity) February 18, 2016
Diverse sources enhance coverage –> balanced and fair #diversityinmedia #journalism
— Sarah Glover (@sarah4nabj) February 18, 2016
Best Practices
T2, Q1: Name skills needed to achieve more #diversityinmedia #PRdiversity
— PRSA Diversity Com.. (@PRSADiversity) February 18, 2016
Skills: High Cultural awareness. Active listening skills. Compassion. @PRSADiversity @NABJ #diversityinmedia #PRdiversity
— Ruth Young Tyler (@RuthYoungTyler) February 18, 2016
• Active listening
• Global mindset
• Cross-cultural competence #PRDiversity #diversityinmedia https://t.co/1yuw7kumOE— Josh Gordon (@_joshgordon) February 18, 2016
Communication, trust and patience. #PRDiversity https://t.co/vUCbHSrkJd
— Victoria Lewis (@VictoriaKLewis) February 18, 2016
The Future
T3, Q1: Looking Ahead: Looking ahead, what can #PR #media #news do to better support #diversityinmedia? #PRDiversity
— PRSA Diversity Com.. (@PRSADiversity) February 18, 2016
T3 @PRSADiversity @NABJ Start a partnership with HBCU's and schools with large minority representation. A win-win. #DiversityInMedia
— Karvis Jones (@KarvisJones) February 18, 2016
@KarvisJones @PRSADiversity @NABJ This is so perfect. #NABJ just launched a Taskforce btw. ☺️
— Michael Grant (@mikegrantme) February 18, 2016
We aim for inclusion. Diversity is being invited to a party, where inclusion is being asked to dance at the party. #PRDiversity
— PRSSA Samford (@PRSSASamford) February 18, 2016
Make employers accountable. Ask for numbers. Make noise internally. Shake things up. #PRDiversity
— Ana Toro, APR (@anatoro) February 18, 2016
It's easy to overlook quieter voices in the community. PR pros/media must actively seek out those voices. It's hard work. #PRDiversity
— Tyrus B. Sturgis (@SturgisSays) February 18, 2016
Last question: What can we do to build a diverse pipeline in #PR #media #news? #diversityinmedia #PRDiversity
— PRSA Diversity Com.. (@PRSADiversity) February 18, 2016
@PRSADiversity it starts in HS. We need need to enlighten the next generation & introduce them to the fields! #PRDiversity #DiversityInMedia
— Orange County PRSA (@OC_PRSA) February 18, 2016
@nabj @NABJJSHOP provides opps for HS students too! #PRDiversity https://t.co/2hspm3D7x4
— Haniyyah Sharpe (@OnPoint24_7) February 18, 2016
@EaddyPerry @PRSADiversity Earmarking young talent: Student project participants. collegiate + award winning students. #Diversityinmedia
— Michael Grant (@mikegrantme) February 18, 2016
Build a #PRdiversity pipeline by begin training in elementary school. Channel social media zeal to power & influence https://t.co/ROznFiKjD1
— Ruth Young Tyler (@RuthYoungTyler) February 18, 2016
Provide mentorship at every level — from college freshman to the C-suite. #PRDiversity https://t.co/5J0FKrQezF
— Josh Gordon (@_joshgordon) February 18, 2016
Show students and the community how great the industry is and how willing they are to welcome all walks of life. #PRdiversity
— Kaitlin Fike (@KaitlinFike) February 18, 2016
Laarni Rosca Dacanay is an award-winning communications professional with proven leadership in developing and implementing system-wide, strategic communication programs tailored for the entertainment and media industry. Currently, she serves in the newly created role as External Communications Manager (PR Manager) for Comcast and previously, Laarni was PR & Communications Consultant to the company after the acquisition of NBCUniversal. Follow Laarni @laarnid1.
