Evita,

I think you have posed an interesting question. We also should ask the PR practitioners that have been able to break the color barriers what are they doing to help the next generation follow in their footsteps. Many times our young PR students overlook agency and corporate PR because they don't see anyone there that looks like them. They may be unaware that many companies are seeking diverse talent if they'd only apply!

That is why it has always been important for me to keep in touch with my alma mater of Florida A&M University and update my former professors and administrators on my career progress at Edelman. They have often referred students to me who want to know about corporate PR and my work in the Real Estate and Sustainability Practice. I've gone back to represent Edelman at recruitment fairs and, as a result, the Atlanta office has experienced an increase in the number of African American students that applied for Edelman's prestigious internship program as well as jobs. I may not be able to help every student I meet find a job, but it's just as important to be an example that if I can do it, they can too.

Evita,

Great Post! This is definitely an issue that needs to be addressed. I agree that are thousands of talented and eager multicultural PR practitioners out there - I meet them all the time! But, it seems like there must be a problem in HR and account teams at major and boutique agencies. I do believe young and seasoned multicultural PR practitioners approach and interview at these agencies but for some reason or another they are looked over. Thus, causing them to question their career path in PR.

The only way I see to fix this problem is incorporate some type of program strictly for multicultural practitioners that will help correct what "it" is that they might be missing and is causing them to be looked over.

In order for agencies to go the next step in to future of PR and to keep up with all of the niche specific firms that are blossoming everyday that are going after the same clients and now being seen as competitors - they need more diversity. Different angles and viewpoints is what brings creativity and progression and to just keep bringing those of similar backgrounds and viewpoints into your company equal the same results for your clients.

I encourage top firms to take a chance every now and then and see what star they might be able to mold.

There are several reasons, I believe, that account for the underrepresentation of blacks and hispanics in PR. In no particular order of impact:
1) A lack of awareness of the PR industry as a career and its importance in the corporate arena.
2) The failure of the industry, as a whole, to actively promote itself to blacks and hispanics touting the opportunities for success (i.e. money)resulting in too few taking the classes or seeking the experience to pursue PR careers
3) The fact there are proportionately fewer minority businesses that would employ a PR firm and many of them feel in necessary to use a white company to receive "the best" service.
4) PR is not as "visible" as, say, TV news reporting. As more blacks and hispanics appeared on tv, it became more of an option for others to say "That's what I want to be when I grow up." The cultural/racial schism is perpetuated by the lack of visibility of "people like me" in the industry.
5)The unfortunate history of PR firms who have hired minorities and gave them menial duties or... little or no "learning curve" before firing them and saying that the "minority experiment" didn't work

PR firms have to do more of what Edelman has done/is doing, giving young minorities an opportunity to work and succeed in the business. Not by just hiring them to be "window dressing" with small roles on small accounts. But with meaning job descriptions and as much responsibility as they demonstrate they can handle. It's to Edelman's credit that they've have made these strides.

There can not be a "glass ceiling" for the advancement of blacks and hispanics in higher positions (managers, directors, VPs); nor can there be quotas on the number of minorities hired within a firm. The diversity of corporate America demands the diversity of ideas and that can only come from the collective minds of people of varying cultural and social backgrounds.

Kudos to Edelman and those who promote and support diversity.

As a former Edelmanite (if that is a word), I applaud you for bringing this very important topic to the forefront. There is a serious need for minorities (particularly on the agency side) in the PR world. We are grossly underrepresented in the industry that everyday is vying for out dollars as consumers.

There are a handful of agencies that work exclusively with multicultural focused PR but unfortunately they can not hire all of the interested candidates in the field. Which leads many minorities to explore other options under the media and marketing umbrella.

Kudos to Edelman for having a full-fledged multicultural practice but they must continue to nurture and grow that practice just as they would with the crisis, consumer and corporate practices. The business is out the there, it will be up to these various large agencies to recognize and capitalize on the opportunity.

The other issue, which is more so about all people versus just minorities, is the pay scale within the industry. A growing number of individuals are obtaining advanced degrees in college and they want to be paid adequately according to their level of experience and education. The simple fact is that you can make a lot more money with an advanced degree in another industry. However, if you the skills and the passion for PR, why not pay appropriately? Or, why is there such little room for advancement when a person has proven themselves to be a skilled practitioner?

I hope the industry gets it together soon because quality workers are leaving everyday and their departure is continuing to contribute to the "revolving door" mentality of the public relations industry. Perhaps the discussion on that topic can saved for another blog. :-)

Evita,

Thank you for posting this topic! I am an African-American woman who works in the Public Relations field and I know first hand that minorities are under-represented. Since I learned about the profession my Freshman year in college, I've thrived to work and become successful in this field. As stated in a previous post, it is absolutely necessary for seasoned minority PR professionals to mentor young professionals such as myself. Having an inside insight into the field is the best way to become familiar with the profession and succeed. Again, thank you for this post.

Evita,
thank you for bringing up this valid fact. As a graduate of an HBCU, I can tell you that breaking into the industry is very,very tough and, most times, can be downright frustraiting. Two years ago, I obtained a position with a large firm in Florida, worked hard for three months on accounts that I knew I could manage, and was fired for no apparent reason. I was crushed.
Now, I am the P.R. manager for a company in Orlando and I have an opportunity to help those who are to come after me.
If you want to contact me, please email me at:
jjones614@tmo.blackberry.net. I'll do all that I can to assist someone find an internship or job.
Peace

Evita: While you have admired the work of those in front of the TV camera, I’ve always had an admiration for those PR professionals who work hard to bring us the story ideas, tip sheets and instant access to sources.

I’ve wondered many times as well, where are the PR practitioners of color? In the ten years I have worked in broadcast journalism in front of the camera, I have only come across maybe a dozen minorities in the public relations field. I can only come up with two possible theories---

Breaking into the field is unbelievably tough, competitive and entry level positions are few and far between. Open positions are hard to find and hard to interview for unless you know someone.I've often wondered whether Public Relations employers are making the same conscious effort to recruit, hire and retain employees as other corporations are doing.

Students and other potential PR employees are unaware of the benefits of joining the growing field of Public Relations. Schools aren’t doing a good job of introducing students to the field--- or adequately preparing them to compete for jobs in the PR workforce. Is their a minority PR professional organization similar to National Association of Black Journalists for students? Are PR employers making an effort to come on campus and introduce students to the field who may not have known about the career opportunities?

There is a serious, critical need for PR professional of color. The few I come in constant contact with in my media workplace are the ones on the music and entertainment side. Without Minority PR Practitioners, there are thousands of stories and services that the media and ultimately, the public will never know about. The only solution to remedy the problem is to continue doing what you and your employer are doing. Continue educating and introducing others to the field through mentoring relationships, internships and professional organizations. Continue doing the great job you do and educating others.

Hi Evita,

I just found your blog and read it with a great interest. As a professional immigrant from Indonesia with eight years of experience in public relations, I have been finding it very difficult to enter the PR industry here.

I've been to interviews but I am not their favorite candidate because I don't have US experience and local media contact. It's very surprising to me to find out that the PR industry here is still pretty much US and media relations focused, because as we know with the current technology, everybody can be a journalist. In fact, more and more media outlets are working together with citizen journalists in reporting their stories.

So, perhaps you have any advice on how to relaunch my career here? Thank you.

THIS IS BULL-ISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
F*$# YALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

consequently, the paper money, which they had circulated by his means, had perpetual fund for the maintenance of an equal number in all times to come.

aewdsa saf wefrasf adsf sdaf

Dead Ay, dead as the stones on which her brains and blood were jamie lynn and lesbian and ftv and movies own power and fettered them in his I had not intended to love him kuyftjupzqk

Dead Ay, dead as the stones on which her brains and blood were jamie lynn and lesbian and ftv and movies own power and fettered them in his I had not intended to love him kuyftjupzqk

I am an African-American female who has pretty much given up on developing my career in Public Relations. I received a Masters' Degree in Public Relations Management in 2005, completed an internship with the Federal Reserve Board's Office of Public Affairs, have worked as a temp for the communications office of Freddie Mac Foundation, met countless people and attended numerous Public Relations conferences, was given a lot of false hope and promises, but in the end there was no sale.

There was nothing I would like more than to work in PR, but not sure what more I can do, other than what I have been doing for the last 3 years. I really do not understand it and find it quite frustrating. So frustrating, in fact, that I went back to school and pursued my MBA, now I am working for one of America's Top Rated Companies in a position that does not enhance my creative side.

Perhaps, one day I will be able to merge the two into a fulfilling career.. but right now, it appears as if its not going to happen. If anyone has any advice or words of wisdom, please don't hesitate to send them my way.

Thanks!

thanks.

Your site is great and I really appreciate it! I have always enjoyed reading your site.