Introducing the diversity awards

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Diversity Distinction in PR Awards

The 2nd annual Diversity Distinction in PR Awards supported by the Council of Public Relations Firms in association with PRWeek are now open. These awards honor excellence in promoting ethnic diversity within the PR sector. They support and inspire professionals of diverse backgrounds and those who strive to encourage and strengthen diversity across the PR workforce.

Recognition will be awarded in three areas, with additional categories for corporations, and small and large PR firms this year:

Best Diversity Initiative - Open to PR agencies only
This award honors a communications firm's successful initiative to improve ethnic diversity so that it permeates all levels and divisions of the organization.

Two winners will be rewarded. (1) Firms with $10M or less in annual revenues; (2) Firms with $10M-plus in annual revenues

Diversity Champion - Open to all PR professionals
Celebrates an exceptional individual - from a communications firm, an in-house PR team, or academia - who is a role model and champion of diversity in the industry through his or her actions.

One winner but the individual may work at an agency, corporation, in academia, or a nonprofit.

Best Community Initiative - Open to agencies & corporations
Entries should relate to an organization's leadership or support of a community service project or organization that works to promote diversity, fight discrimination, or toward the empowerment of a local neighborhood or group.

Two winners will be rewarded. (1) An organization/corporation (2) A PR firm.

The deadline for submissions is Thursday, June 28, at 2pm EST. Email questions to diversityawards@prweek.com.

Judging of Awards
The panel of judges for the Diversity Distinction in PR Awards will comprise a diverse group of respected professionals working in the fields of communications and diversity and inclusion, chaired by the editor-in-chief of PRWeek.

Judging will take place at the offices of PRWeek in New York City.

The winning entries will be written up in a feature in the November issue of PRWeek and featured on PRWeekUS.com.

2012 Judges

Jaya Bohlmann

Jaya Bohlmann is founder and chief consultant at Designing Communication in Washington, DC. Past stints include VP of PR at Sodexo and VP at Ogilvy Public Relations.

Alvaro Cabal

Alvaro Cabal is multicultural communications manager at Ford Motor Company. He is responsible for building the automaker's reputation and purchase consideration among multicultural audiences.

Mike Fernandez

Mike Fernandez is corporate VP, corporate affairs at Cargill. Fernandez served as judges chairman of the 2011 PRWeek Awards.

Rochelle Ford

Rochelle Ford is associate dean, research and academic affairs at Howard University. Ford plays a vital role in shepherding curriculum programs and assessing academic programs and learning outcomes.

Rosemary Mercedes

Rosemary Mercedes is VP of corporate communications at Univision. Prior to her current company, which she has been with since 2006, she was public information manager at Pace University.

Torod Neptune

Torod Neptune is VP of communications, products and services, at Verizon. He leads strategy and implementation for its telecom and business product lines.

Mike Paul

Mike Paul is president of MGP & Associates PR. Known as The Reputation Doctor, he has over 20 years experience in the industry.

Latraviette Smith

Latraviette Smith is VP, global diversity and inclusion at American Express. Smith drives key elements of the company's global diversity and inclusion strategy and embeds best practices throughout the company.