How PR pros should consider race
As communicators take a closer look at conversations about inclusion, diversity and race, some organizations have used Black History Month to have important conversations.
Each February, Americans are reminded to reexamine the fabric of our society and the complicated structures that underpin it.
When we talk about Black History, we are talking about a history of oppression, inequality and pain. At the same time, we are talking about a history of love and compassion, bravery and righteousness. Perhaps most meaningful, we are talking about the work that is still left to do.
Diversity and inclusion remains a hot topic in the PR industry. Even as gains have been made with respect to raw numbers, there is still a drastic lack of equality, and talk about creating inclusive work environments has yet to yield the diverse and dynamic workforce we should expect.
As the Harvard Business Review wrote:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the ethnic makeup of the PR industry in the U.S. is 87.9% white, 8.3% African American, 2.6% Asian American, and 5.7% Hispanic American. The Holmes Report published in 2015 found that while women make up 70% of those employed in the U.S. public relations industry, they make up only 30% of agency C-suite executives.
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