THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
PRSA Chicago’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee is dedicated to creating more diverse representation within the PR profession. As a Chapter that represents one of the most diverse cities in the world, our goals are to foster more inclusivity within the sector and to better reflect the diverse backgrounds, rich heritages and experiences of multicultural communicators.
ELEVATING THE DIALOGUE
The DEI Committee works to demonstrate and amplify our Chapter’s ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion in Chicago, where more than 55 percent of the population is African American, Hispanic and Asian. Through support of programming topics and guests, unique panel discussions and a Diversity Fellowship, we elevate the dialogue around diversity and inclusion in the field of communications. The Committee aims to be the credible voice and leader for D&I best practices within the sector.
DEMONSTRATING OUR COMMITMENT
In 2020, the DEI Committee created the PRSA Chicago Michelle Flowers Diversity Fellowship Program, establishing a long-term investment in our profession designed to build a highly qualified pipeline of diverse talent. As part of its ongoing commitment to foster the next generation of multicultural talent in the field of public relations and communications, PRSA Chicago awards four individual scholarships in the amount of $2,500 each year. Current freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and non-graduating seniors are eligible to apply. Students must be of African-American/Black, Hispanic or Latina/o/x/e, Arab/West Asian, South Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, Indigenous/Native American or Two or More Races. The award also includes a summer internship at a Chicago agency or company affiliated with PRSA Chicago.
The PRSA Chicago Michelle Flowers Diversity Fellowship Program is designed to attract, recruit and retain people of color to the practice of public relations and communications. Applications for the 2027 PRSA Chicago Michelle Flowers Diversity Fellowship will open in the fall.
Founder of Flowers Communications Group, one of the nation’s top multicultural integrated marketing agencies, Michelle is an award-winning expert in multicultural communications. Her firm was named to Forbes America’s Best PR Agencies 2021 list. The Michelle Flowers Diversity Fellowship pays tribute to the meaningful contributions that she has made as a leading African-American pioneer in the PR industry, as well as her deep dedication to diversity for more than 30 years.
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TO LEARN MORE
To learn more, please contact the DEI Committee at [email protected].
