PRSA: Industry lists should ‘reflect the great diversity … of the profession’
A dustup over PRWeek’s annual ‘Power List’ not including a single African-American has drawn a response from the Public Relations Society of America.
Such was the case when PRWeek released its annual “Power List” of the top 50 PR pros, which did not include a single African-American. Sakita Holley, CEO of House of Success, told PRNewser last week, “The list makes it seem as if there are NO African-Americans making moves in the PR industry, and that is simply not true.”
PR Week editor-in-chief Steve Barrett published a response to Holley’s concerns, which were shared by other people in the industry. In his response, Barrett is unapologetic:
Frankly, no one on any of our lists has ever been chosen because of the color of their skin, their gender, or their sexuality. People are chosen because of the power and influence they wield.
The backlash hasn’t stopped there. Kim Hunter, president and CEO of Lagrant Communications, forwarded a letter he sent to Barrett to PRNewser. It reads in part:
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