Part I: Recognizing the Impact of Black Communicators
Black History Month is an important time of reflection for organizations, large and small, especially those that value diversity and inclusion. This month serves as an opportunity to appreciate the contributions of Black Americans and to recognize the struggles and resilience of African Americans throughout our nation’s history.
As a Black Communications Specialist who is also pursuing a master’s degree in strategic communication, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about communications from the perspective of Black Americans and a considerable amount of my life and education learning about the effects of communications. During Black History Month, I want to explore some of the most formative and meaningful efforts of Black American communications professionals.
The Power of Impactful Words
As communication professionals, we play a vital role in shaping public perception and understanding of events and themes during Black History Month. Through strategic campaigns, public relations professionals can help to create positive representations of Black people in the media. By focusing on stories that highlight the accomplishments of Black Americans, PR professionals can help to create a more positive and accurate perception of African Americans in the public eye.
However, as most communication professionals know, it is crucial to remain authentic and transparent throughout all communication efforts. This means that we should not only emphasize the wins in the Black community, but also bring attention to the challenges and setbacks. Public relations professionals can do this by creating campaigns that bring attention to the struggles and injustices that African Americans face in society. Additionally, communication professionals should ensure that the same appreciation and respect for Black Americans goes beyond a month or a specialized campaign.
Through targeted campaigns, we can help bring attention to issues of racism and discrimination and help build a more equitable and diverse society. From creating anti-racist campaigns to promoting diversity efforts, there are several strategies that as public relations professionals we can implement to help create a society that is free of racism and discrimination.
As the communications team for the Tysons Community Alliance (TCA), KGL’s main priority is to develop a long-standing relationship between the coalition and the diverse community that it serves. This means taking into consideration the many different cultural and ethnic backgrounds that matter to Tysons residents. We’re actively working to make sure that TCA’s messaging and initiatives resonate with the community and further promote the TCA’s commitment to a diverse urban center where all thrive.
