Introducing the diversity awards

Mobile Version Subscribe Issue Archive Contact Us About Us Advertise

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 21, 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.

2011 Judges

2012 judges to be announced soon.

David Albritton

David Albritton is VP of communications for ITT Defense and Information Solutions where he leads PR, as well as brand management and internal and executive communications.

Shannelle Armstrong

Shannelle Armstrong is director of PR at Sears Holdings Corp, and she also leads multicultural PR efforts for Sears and Kmart.

Jaya Bohlmann

Jaya Bohlmann is an executive-level corporate communications consultant with expertise in strategy and teambuilding, CSR and cause-related marketing, diversity and employee engagement for agencies, nonprofits, and corporations.

Carol Evans

Carol Evans is president of Working Mother Media and CEO of Diversity Best Practices, a corporate membership organization that encourages diversity and inclusion best practices in the workplace.

Kim Hunter

Kim Hunter is president and CEO of his PR agency Lagrant Communications, as well as chairman of the Lagrant Foundation, a nonprofit he founded, which provides scholarships and career development for minority students of advertising, marketing, and PR programs.

Richard Jones

Richard Jones is SVP and CCO at The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America.

Katie McBride
Katie McBride is executive director of GM Community Connections where she leads regional grassroots, diversity communications, and internal, retiree, labor and manufacturing communications.