Sabrina Saunders-Mosby of Vibrant Pittsburgh on Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

by Kaidia Pickels
D&I Committee Member

 

As a native of Pittsburgh, the city of bridges, Sabrina Saunders-Mosby has spent the better part of her career helping others cross them.

She is the president and CEO of Vibrant Pittsburgh, a nonprofit membership organization with the goal of attracting, retaining, and elevating a diversity of talent to boost the economic vitality of the Pittsburgh region. Saunders-Mosby’s’ personal goal is to make Pittsburgh a destination of choice for people of all backgrounds, and especially people of color.

“The champions in my life didn’t always look like me, and for the most part didn’t,” she observed. “Vibrant Pittsburgh is the third organization that I’ve led, and regardless of the champions and mentors I’ve had in my life, I’ve often been the only black woman in leadership teams.”

Part of Saunders-Mosby’s role is to act as an inclusion partner for Vibrant Pittsburgh’s member corporations and to showcase the talents and opinions of people from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented communities. In her role, she encourages member corporations to celebrate the seen and unseen achievements of diverse employees and works to recommend them for job opportunities, promotions, and board positions.

Vibrant Pittsburgh offers an extensive range of products, services, and resources for member corporations that aid them in enhancing their diversity of talent, including:

  • Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Forum: A convening of D&I advocates and senior leaders from a range of industries around the region that offers a sense of place and space for the sharing of best practices, collaboration, and support in D&I work.
  • Employee Business Resource Group (EBRG) Council: A collective of employee business resource group leaders from a range of industries that supports organizations with affinity groups in all stages of their diversity journey
  • Allegheny Allies: Launching soon, this group will function as Vibrant Pittsburgh’s own EBRG and also serves as a regional EBRG for small- and medium-sized companies that may not have the workforce size to dive deep into D&I work on their own.
  • Next Generation Council: A space for young leaders and up-and-coming organizations to talk about how to attract and retain diverse talent in the region.
  • Mentorship program: Vibrant Pittsburgh works to connect members with students from several local colleges who would benefit from mentorship in a wide range of industries or general professional development.
  • Social activities: Vibrant Pittsburgh’s Newcomer events and Dine-Arounds bring together new and established executives from across the region for fun events and networking opportunities.

Noting that Pittsburgh in particular is one of the least diverse metropolitan areas in the US, Saunders-Mosby spoke on how our communities can help amplify diversity efforts. One way is to invest in a regional D&I strategy such as the Vibrant Index Report, which reviews current D&I efforts, identifies opportunities for greater impact, and shares what is already working with a larger audience.

“We measure what matters, and what matters gets done,” said Saunders-Mosby.

Already in its second year, the Vibrant Index Report this year called for a continued and renewed commitment to data gathering efforts. Its diagnostic tool is available to any regional business that wants to participate and is free, confidential, and results in a report that is provided back to the organization. This year’s report had nearly double the questions, and organizational participation increased by 56% from last year.

Saunders-Mosby also took questions from PRSA members that related to support diversity in the workplace. Here are some key takeaways:

  • Companies can show allyship in a number of ways. While representation does matter, short-term and surface-level actions can come off as performative. Where things need to start is having genuine, authentic reflection on your company’s commitment to diverse talent — and ask plenty of questions.
  • Companies looking to better support diverse employees, especially those with different faith traditions, should ask themselves if they are offering flexible time to their workers to allow them to observe holidays that are important to them, and also make efforts to educate other employees on how everyone can be more inclusive.
  • More junior-level professionals may find it challenging to hold their seniors accountable to D&I practices. However, it’s powerful to ask questions and inquire whenever you can (in interviews, strategy conversations, and even performance evaluations) to check in on how your company’s commitments are going.

Lastly, Saunders-Mosby offered some tips specific to PR professionals for better engaging with diversity and inclusion:

  • Relationships matter. Make genuine connections and continue to nurture them in order to build a bigger, more diverse network for yourself and those around you.
  • Diversify your own network. Look around and ask yourself, “How diverse is it?”
  • Educate yourself through discussions, research, and webinars (perhaps even like this one!)
  • Ask yourself, “Is there a significant area of sameness that I gravitate to?” Then, challenge this.
  • Surround yourself with different professionals from whom you can learn and who you can support and uplight in their professional journeys.

Interested in learning more? Visit http://vibrantpittsburgh.org/ to learn how you or your organization can get involved.

The Importance of Recruiting and Retaining Students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities

By Charlene Payne
D&I Committee Member

This blog is part of an ongoing series that highlights content featured in PRSA Pittsburgh’s Diversity & Inclusion Toolkit.

 

“Kick this one here for me and my DJ” are the lyrics to the throwback I’m listening to, reminding me of how bitter-sweet this time of year is as students go back to school. Echoes of footsteps going up and down the stairs as the little ones get ready for school, students catching up with one another at the bus stop, and the school bus door loudly squeaking as it opens and closes.

I took part in a new experience this yearsending my first child off to college. I wasn’t ready for the departure but I was thoroughly excited about the new experiences headed his way. I felt a dash of stress while meeting staff members, locating different departments across campus, and mentally moving him into the dorm room within a short window of time. When I turned the handle to the dorm room, I entered into a new phase in my life. I was now meeting like-minded young people who were serious about starting their futures. 

My son doesn’t attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), although I wanted him to have a similar collegiate experience as I had at Florida A&M University, striving towards excellence while further developing himself as a young Black man. It just wasn’t in the cards this time, but as Whitley Gilbert from the show A Different World said, “Baby, you can go to school any place. But no school will love ya and teach ya to love yourself like Hillman (University).” I feel this to my core, and encourage anyone who can to attend a HBCU to do so and explore the unique benefits of what they offer.

HBCUs are Untapped Pools of Talent

HBCUs were established to offer Black students the opportunity for higher education during a time when it was prohibited to educate them. The Office of Civil Rights says these institutions are a “…vital part of American higher education”. The United Negro College Fund highlights their total economic impact of $206 million, production of 1,660 jobs a year, and lifetime earnings of $1.6 billion.

The United States comprises 107 colleges (with more than 228,000 enrolled students) that are identified by the United States Department of Education as Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Though HBCUs make up only 3% of America’s colleges and universities, they produce almost 20% of all Black college graduates with a bachelor’s degree. Yet, companies are not recruiting HBCU students at the same rate as students who attend predominantly white institutions, or PWIs. 

According to Golin, a global public relations agency located in Chicago, Illinois that specializes in DE&I (diversity, equity and inclusion) strategy, “though the Bureau of Labor Statistics has no formal data on companies who hire or do not hire HBCU graduates, anecdotal reports suggest that HBCUs are untapped pools of talent. Moreover, diversity data reveals that PR agencies’ talent acquisition teams are not actively recruiting from these institutions in a manner consistent with PWIs.”

Additionally, Golin reports that, “despite corporate attempts to overlook and discredit the academic integrity of HBCUs, one Gallup poll revealed that HBCU graduates have the highest rate of financial, career and emotional well-being of college graduates.”

How PR Agencies Can Support HBCU Students

Help to diversify the industry by supporting minority candidates who aspire to a career in PR by helping them develop industry familiarity and knowledge, relevant skills and a network of professional contacts. PR agencies can:

  • Be generous in offering internship and/or mentorship opportunities. Even though your business or organization may not have a formal paid or unpaid internship program, be creative about offering exposure to a professional work environment.
  • Have agency, corporate and other speakers come to campuses to help with LinkedIn profiles, professional social media presence and resume writing and interviewing. 
  • Set aside a fundraising event to support students with scholarships.
  • Partner with students or student groups to drive diversity and inclusion initiatives locally, or to implement a new program or project for the community.

Learn More about HBCUs in Pennsylvania & Notable Graduates

In Pennsylvania, there are two HBCUs: Cheyney University of Pennsylvania (formerly known as Cheyney State College and the nation’s oldest HBCU) and Lincoln University.

Some famous and notable HBCU graduates include:

  • Mary McLeod Bethune, founder of Bethune Cookman College, educator, philanthropist
  • Patricia Harris, former Secretary, U.S. Departments of Health, Education, and Welfare and Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
  • Christa McAuliffe, first educator in space
  • Leontyne Price, world-recognized soprano opera singer
  • Kenneth B. Clark, psychologist
  • Charles Drew, surgeon and medical researcher
  • W.E.B. DuBois, co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), author, writer, educator, sociologist
  • Dr. Frederick S. Humphries, Past President of Florida A&M University, Past President of Tennessee State University, “Entrepreneur of Black Excellence in Higher Education”
  • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Nobel Peace Prize recipient; civil rights activist
  • Thurgood Marshall, Supreme Court Justice; lawyer, civil rights activist
  • Louis Sullivan, Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Learn More & Take the PRSA Pittsburgh D&I Pledge

PRSA Pittsburgh encourages its members to access its Diversity & Inclusion Toolkit for more information on ways to cultivate diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Additionally, PRSA Pittsburgh’s D&I Committee is proud to present our D&I pledge to PRSA members. The intent of the pledge is to advance diversity and inclusion in the communications and PR profession. After taking the pledge, we hope employers spark hard conversations in their workplaces and begin to build a more diverse and inclusive environment, ultimately earning deeper trust and more commitment from their employees.

PRSA Pittsburgh encourages PRSA members to virtually sign and commit to our D&I pledge. We also encourage members to print out and share the pledge (PDF) with their colleagues and peers who may not have access to technology.

Shining a Spotlight on Diverse Groups and Individuals During National Heritage Months

By Bre Zboran
D&I Committee Member

 

This blog is part of an ongoing series that highlights content featured in PRSA Pittsburgh’s Diversity & Inclusion Toolkit.

Throughout the year, national heritage months celebrate people from a variety of ethnicities, backgrounds and marginalized groups—providing critical education on their history and cultures as well as a platform to amplify their voices and experiences.

As PR professionals, we can use the power of communication to champion D&I during these key months of recognition—and beyond. Many brands and organizations leverage social media, internal communications, marketing and other forms of communication to highlight employees, customers and stakeholders who identify with a particular group. While this is also an opportunity for a company to showcase how it supports and uplifts these diverse individuals, it’s important that these actions are not done simply to check a box during a heritage month, but rather are authentic and occur year-round.

We hope that the below list of heritage months is a helpful resource for your D&I efforts.

Black History Month

February is Black History Month in the United States and Canada. Since 1976, the month has been designated to remember the contributions of people of the African diaspora.

Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month. Started in 1987, Women’s History Month recognizes all women for their valuable contributions to history and society.

National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, which was established to increase awareness and understanding of issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

National Deaf History Month

National Deaf History Month begins on March 13 and runs through April 15. It is a celebration of contributions of the hard-of-hearing and the Deaf community to American society. It’s a great time to recognize Deaf champions and increase awareness of the Deaf community’s rich history.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in the United States. The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks on the project were Chinese immigrants.

LGBTQ Pride Month 

June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, established to recognize the impact that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on the world. LGBT groups celebrate this special time with pride parades, picnics, parties, memorials for those lost to hate crimes and HIV/AIDS, and other group gatherings. The last Sunday in June is Gay Pride Day.

Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15. This month corresponds with Mexican Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16, and recognizes the revolution in 1810 that ended Spanish dictatorship.

Global Diversity Awareness Month

October brings Global Diversity Awareness Month to remind us of the positive impact a diverse workforce of men and women can have on a society.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

National Disability Employment Awareness Month was declared in 1988 by the United States Congress for the month of October to raise awareness of the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities.

Native American Heritage Month

November is National Native American Heritage Month, which celebrates the history and contributions of Native Americans.

Learn More & Take the PRSA Pittsburgh D&I Pledge

PRSA Pittsburgh encourages its members to access its Diversity & Inclusion Toolkit for more information on ways to cultivate diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Additionally, PRSA Pittsburgh’s D&I Committee is proud to present our D&I pledge to PRSA members. The intent of the pledge is to advance diversity and inclusion in the communications and PR profession. After taking the pledge, we hope employers spark hard conversations in their workplaces and begin to build a more diverse and inclusive environment, ultimately earning deeper trust and more commitment from their employees.

PRSA Pittsburgh encourages PRSA members to virtually sign and commit to our D&I pledge. We also encourage members to print out and share the pledge (PDF) with their colleagues and peers who may not have access to technology.

In Defense of Truth: Public relations professionals must lead by example when it comes to mis- and disinformation

By Bob Oltmanns, APR
Former PRSA Pittsburgh president

 

It was probably Winston Churchill who said, “a lie will travel around the world and back again before the truth can put its pants on.”  

And remember that Churchill died long before cable TV and the internet, which means that in 2021, things are much, much worse.

Whether fueled by misinformation — defined as false, inaccurate, or misleading information communicated regardless of an intention to deceive — or disinformation, which is deliberate deception, the use of either type of communication to gain an advantage are not new ideas. In “The Art of War,” written in the fifth century B.C., Chinese general Sun Tzu noted that “all warfare is based on deception.” And today, America is painfully divided to a degree not seen since the Civil War, caused in part by inaccurate information.

And let’s be clear — this divisiveness is not about who is on the right side of the facts. It’s about the blurring of the lines between opinion and fact. There are plenty of causes for this.

One is the repeal of the Fairness Doctrine in 1987, which lifted the requirement that holders of broadcast licenses present controversial issues of public importance with balance and honesty.

Another is the rise and ubiquitous presence of social media in virtually every aspect of American life. In the 1960s and ‘70s, there were only three television networks, and CBS veteran anchor Walter Cronkite was voted the “most trusted man in America.” A former wartime correspondent and UPI reporter, Cronkite was obsessed with accuracy and detail. Sadly, accuracy has been gradually eroding under the pressure of ratings, clicks and analytics.

Now, a Pew Research Center study finds that over half of Americans look to social media to get their news, most frequently on Facebook, which makes inadequate provisions for editing, fact-checking, or even, in many instances, truth or accuracy.

So this is where we are now.

The RAND Corporation has been examining the systemic causes and effects of mis/disinformation in American society. In its 2018 report, “Truth Decay,” RAND points to four trends that have led to the deterioration of accuracy and balance in the dissemination of information:

  • Increasing disagreement about facts
  • Blurring of the line between opinion and fact
  • The increasing volume and influence of opinion over fact
  • Declining trust in formerly respected sources of facts

Regardless of where you fall on the political or ideological spectrum, it’s hard to argue with RAND’s analysis. Perhaps even more troubling, however, is the realization that these trends have entrenched themselves in democratic societies, not just in the U.S. but around the world wherever free speech and a plurality of ideas is essential. Much like cancer infects our vital organs, misinformation thrives where free speech is inviolate.

But here’s where this comes back to us in the PR profession. 

While there’s not much consensus around potential solutions to the problem of systemic mis/disinformation, the RAND study offers two strategies that point to our role in all this:

  • Pursue changes in the way information is disseminated, including journalism that better separates fact and opinion and facilitates more accessible science communication.
  • Identify tools and governance mechanisms to address the spread of online disinformation.

Insofar as the public relations profession works extensively with both journalists and social media, we have a vital role to play in combating mis- and disinformation.

PRSA’s “Voices4Everyone” campaign is our profession’s first step in that direction. In our capacity as advocates that serve the public interest with honesty and the highest standards of accuracy and truth, we need to be more than passive supporters of these values. Our obligation to be fanatics for truth and  accuracy in our roles as advocates must now be a clarion call. 

It’s not enough — or even fair — to stand on the sidelines and demand that journalists and social media fight the uphill battle in the war against mis- and disinformation alone. Public relations professionals, after all, are the suppliers and brokers of content, ideas, messages and imagery that ultimately becomes the narrative behind the daily news and social media conversations of our time. 

Like it or not, this is our fight, too. We’re in this neck-deep, and if you’re still not convinced, think long and hard about how much inaccurate information is contained in press releases and social media campaigns every day. Intentional or well-meaning, it happens. But it can’t continue. Our profession, if it is to remain an essential business function and valued partner to the fourth estate, must look within itself to ensure that we don’t exacerbate the problem. Rather, we need to be part of the solution.

It’s our job — in whatever organization we represent — to “preserve the integrity of the process of communication … be honest and accurate in all communications … and correct erroneous communications” for which we are responsible. This is a time for us to step up to the PRSA Code of Ethics and lead by example.

Failure to seize this moment in history and help bring about meaningful progress in this struggle will assign the public relations profession to the role of an irrelevant by-stander when the First Amendment needed us most.

 

—————

Bob Oltmanns, APR, Fellow PRSA is the president of OPR Group. He is an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America, the PRSA College of Fellows, the PRSA Counselor’s Academy, and is a member of the PRSA Pittsburgh Chapter Renaissance Hall of Fame. He also served as president of the Pittsburgh Chapter of PRSA in 1995.

Mr. Oltmanns is also a member of the PRSA “Voices4Everyone” initiative, which supports a national conversation to build mutual understanding, trust, and civic engagement through inclusive civil discourse. He is also a member of a regional study group on the Rand Corporation’s “Truth Decay” project, which is examining the diminishing role of facts and analysis in American life.

 

Best Practices for Sourcing Diverse Talent for Your Workplace

by Kaidia Pickels
D&I Committee Member

Editor’s Note: This blog is part of an ongoing series that highlights content featured in PRSA Pittsburgh’s Diversity & Inclusion Toolkit.

 

Across the PR industry, companies large and small have committed to making their workplaces more diverse and inclusive and are actively taking steps to attract a diverse set of talent. Research has shown that diverse and inclusive workplaces lead to higher revenue growth, more readiness to innovate and even higher employee retention. Great Place to Work, an authority on inclusive workplace culture, has extolled the value of diversity and inclusion at work not just as a competitive business advantage but as a core tenet of maintaining a functional work environment.

How can I bring more diverse talent into my workplace?

A key fact of inclusivity in the workplace is that having a diverse and inclusive workplace leads to an increased ability to recruit a diverse talent pool. Essentially, the more diverse and inclusive your workplace becomes, the more attractive it is to other candidates from diverse backgrounds.

However, if your workplace currently lacks diversity, getting started can seem difficult. Investing in inclusivity and bringing diverse talent to your company offers significant long-term benefits, but what about the short term?

One way to get started is by using PRSA Pittsburgh’s Diversity & Inclusion toolkit, which is an invaluable resource for companies looking to recruit diverse talent. Inside you’ll find a comprehensive list of diverse employee groups and professional networks from across the region, many of which offer job listing services, corporate sponsorships and even direct networking with talent from diverse backgrounds.

What are some associations for diverse talent sourcing and recruiting?

Women in the Workplace:

Organizations like iRelaunch, a return-to-work association, Lean In and Corporate Women Directors International support women in the workplace by advising corporations on ways to support and uplift women – especially in positions of leadership. The American Business Women’s Association offers paid job postings and a network of working women and women business owners.

Industry-specific member groups like the Association for Women in Science, the Society of Women Engineers and the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology offer additional support and advocacy for women in fields that are particularly lacking in gender diversity, such as science, technology and engineering. These organizations are great resources for creating corporate sponsorships and partnerships that lay the groundwork for gender diversity in STEM-related workplaces.

Talent from Minority Populations:

The Alliance for Board Diversity (ABD) and the National Diversity Council (NDC) are coalitions of diversity-focused groups that offer opportunities for corporate partnerships with diversity councils and referrals for aspiring women and minority board members. The Association of ERGs and Councils also offers its members top-tier resources and training for developing and maintaining a diverse workplace.

INROADS, Inc. and The PhD Project are organizations that support students from diverse backgrounds in pursuing professional opportunities and advanced degrees, which helps to create a more diverse future workforce. Both organizations provide opportunities for career placements and job postings.

African-American/Black Talent:

The Executive Leadership Council (ELC) and the Corporate Board Initiative (CBI) are two organizations that support Black executives and future leaders in the corporate world. Industry-specific organizations like the National Black MBA Association, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and the Information Technology Senior Management Forum also work to increase the representation of Black professionals in their chosen fields.

The Black EOE Journal and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) also support emerging Black professionals as jobseekers and students, investing in their career development and offering opportunities for networking at diversity-focused conferences across the country.

Hispanic/Latinx Talent:

The New America Alliance (NAA), the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE) and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute provide employers with opportunities to engage with and invest in developing future Latinx leaders in business, and the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) represents nearly 50 million Hispanic professionals through its coalition of 14 member organizations that combine to create an unmatched national pool of Latinx talent.

Industry-specific groups like the Society of Hispanic Engineers (SHPE), Prospanica, and the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA) support Latinx talent in their chosen fields, and student organizations like the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and the National Hispanic Institute (NHI) offer corporations the opportunity to invest in and network with the next generation of Latinx professionals.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Talent:

The Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc. (LEAP) and the National Association of Asian American Professionals are member organizations that both offer sponsorship opportunities for corporations and professional networking opportunities to connect with AAPI talent.

Asian Women in Business is a member organization that supports and offers visibility for Asian professional women and business leaders.

Native American Talent:

American Indian Business Leaders (AIBL) supports and promotes the education and development of future Native American leaders in business, and the American Indian College Fund distributes scholarships to indigenous students pursuing higher education. Both organizations provide opportunities to invest in future Native American professionals for a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

LGBTQ+ Talent:

Organizations like the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and Pride at Work are member organizations that support LGBTQ+ professionals in the workplace and advocate for inclusive work environments and opportunities for LGBTQ+ talent. Out and Equal offers executive leadership development for LGBTQ+ talent and maintains LGBT Career Link, a database of LGBT jobseekers.

Certain groups like Reaching Out MBA, which empowers LGBT MBA students, and the National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals (NOGLSTP), which supports GLBT people employed in scientific or high technology fields, provide additional mentorship and sponsorship to talent in particularly underrepresented fields and can be a great way to network with LGBTQ+ candidates in those fields.

Individuals with Disabilities:

Career websites like Ability Jobs and Job Access and Disabled Person host job boards that companies can use to post job opportunities that welcome candidates with disabilities or to recruit disabled talent. Career and Job Resources for Disabilities American Job-Seekers also offers job listings for free.

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) provides consulting services for employers that are looking for ways to accommodate and employ individuals with disabilities in the workplace as well as ADA compliance assistance.

Veterans:

Private-sector employers looking to hire career-ready veterans seeking jobs can work with Hero2Hire and RallyPoint to connect with candidates with military experience, and JOFDAV.com hosts a database of disabled veterans also looking for work.

Learn More & Take the PRSA Pittsburgh D&I Pledge

PRSA Pittsburgh encourages its members to access its Diversity & Inclusion Toolkit for more information on ways to cultivate diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Additionally, PRSA Pittsburgh’s D&I Committee is proud to present our D&I pledge to PRSA members. The intent of the pledge is to advance diversity and inclusion in the communications and PR profession. After taking the pledge, we hope employers spark hard conversations in their workplaces and begin to build a more diverse and inclusive environment, ultimately earning deeper trust and more commitment from their employees.

PRSA Pittsburgh encourages PRSA members to virtually sign and commit to our D&I pledge. We also encourage members to print out and share the pledge (PDF) with their colleagues and peers who may not have access to technology. 

 

Communications and PR professionals of all identities and seniority levels are encouraged to inquire about joining our Diversity & Inclusion Committee at info@prsa-pgh.org.

YES, You Should Use GIFs on Social: Here’s Why

By Megha Pai, Social Media Co-Chair

 

GIFs — you use them with your friends, your coworkers and maybe even your mom. 

But if you work in communications, should you use them in your social media strategy? 

 

If you aren’t sure, I’m here to tell you this: GO FOR IT.

via GIPHY

Add Some Fun to Your Community Management 

Sure, you can use GIFs proactively in the content you create. But they work best when you’re performing social media community management. Replying to comments and messages from your audience in a helpful, on-brand way is an art. Formulating these comments can get complicated when the comments you get on social are random and completely unrelated to the posts themselves – but it’s worth trying to answer them. And what better way to steer conversations in a positive direction than by using fun, relevant GIFs? 

 

At the end of the day, people want to be heard. Show them you’re listening. 

 

Build Positive Relationships

Over the years, I’ve read some strange comments and messages while conducting social media community management. But that didn’t stop me from trying to forge a bond between the brands I was representing and the commenters – using thoughtful replies and timely GIFs.  

 

Forging bonds and building relationships is what social media is all about. That’s where GIFs can help: GIFs make your brand appear more personable and approachable. By having down-to-earth conversations with your audience while using GIFs when appropriate, you’ll keep them coming back to your social channels for more.

 

Remember, social media is supposed to be a social medium – engaging with your followers is important, and GIFs can play a key role in doing that. Ultimately, you’re using your brand’s social media channels to build a community – one that informs your followers about the things that matter to them. 

 

Building community through social media has been a hot topic in the social media industry for years. It was a big talking point at the Ragan PR Social Media & Digital Communications Conference, Social Media Week New York and our virtual event with PR Girl Manifesto. So, build community and add relatable humor to your social channels with GIFs! 

 

Are GIFs On-Brand for Your Brand?

Still unsure if GIFs are on-brand for your brand? When in doubt, review your brand guidelines and trust your instincts. 

 

If your client’s brand uses a serious tone on social media and other platforms, GIFs might not be for them…unless they’re open to switching things up. There’s no reward without a little risk, and the results GIFs can yield (in terms of positive sentiment and engagement) might surprise them.

 

Take a health/wellness client I worked with at a previous job. The last time we ran a contest on Facebook for this client, I thanked the contestants who commented on our contest post with GIFs in our replies, instead of using “thank you” text alone. For each reply, I picked a different GIF. Receiving a GIF unique from everyone else’s GIF created a custom experience for each person commenting on the post – drawing heartfelt reactions (and Facebook heart reactions) from the client’s followers on social media. The thoughtful GIF replies made audience members feel seen and heard. 

 

So, what are you waiting for? GIF up your social media strategy today!

Be that friend: How to be an Ally for the LGBTQIA+ Communities

by Josh Porterfield
D&I Committee Member

 

Allies for the LGBTQIA+ communities are everywhere — they’re in your workplace, they show up for our city’s annual Pride parade and celebration, and some may even be your family and friends. All in all, you know people in your life who are allies, but do you know what being an ally really means

Point blank — allies are the straight men and women who care. They stand strong with the LGBTQIA+ communities, fighting  “Karens”, conservatives and crashing homophobia.

I believe that being an ally is like working as a secret agent — there’s no bright rainbow pin that gets handed out to let others know you’re an ally. Allies work behind the scenes shutting down homophobia in and outside of the workplace. More importantly, they’re also out at drag brunch on the weekends having fun with their LGBTQIA+ friends. 

Just like how you would keep watch for discrimination or harassment in the workplace for people of color or women, being an ally for the LGBTQIA+ communities works in similar ways. It’s about learning what phrases and actions are offensive and discriminatory. Although it’s also just as simple as following your intuition. When you hear anti-LGBTQIA+ comments or microaggressions, listen to your gut. Did that sound appropriate? Appropriate for the workplace? Appropriate at all? 

Check out tips on how to be a great ally from GLAAD:

  • Be a listener.
  • Be open-minded.
  • Be willing to talk.
  • Be inclusive and invite LGBTQIA+ friends to hang out with your friends and family.
  • Don’t assume that all your friends and co-workers are straight. Someone close to you could be looking for support in their coming-out process. Not making assumptions will give them the space they need.
  • Anti-LGBTQIA+ comments and jokes are harmful. Let your friends, family and co-workers know that you find them offensive.
  • Confront your own prejudices and bias, even if it is uncomfortable to do so.
  • Defend your LGBTQIA+ friends against discrimination.
  • Believe that all people, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation, should be treated with dignity and respect.

Gays, lesbians and those who don’t identify with the gender they were given have been around for much longer than you think. For years and years, members of the LGBTQIA+ community have had to hide and keep their identity secret from friends, family, their bosses, colleagues and even the police. 

Pride started as a riot — the community pushing back against all those cultural forces. If you’ve ever wondered why it’s important for LGBTQIA+ communities to be visible during the month of June  in the streets of every major U.S. city during the month of June, then your questions will be answered: 

In the end, to be an ally, if you’re simply a nice person that has respect for others no matter their identities, you’ve got it right. Love always wins. 

 

Be an Actionable Communicator for the AAPI Communities

 

By Alex Grubbs and Megha Pai, PRSA Pittsburgh board members
with contributions from Sunny Yang

Editor’s Note: Asian American and Pacific Islander is abbreviated as AAPI throughout.

In honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, PRSA Pittsburgh’s Diversity & Inclusion committee held a virtual event in partnership with the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh (FAAP) to discuss how to be an actionable communicator for the AAPI communities. This event was moderated by PRSA Pittsburgh board members Alex Grubbs of Battenhall and Megha Pai of Pipitone Group, who are part of AAPI communities themselves.

Our esteemed panelists included:

These panelists and our moderators spoke on a variety of issues, from the rise of violence against AAPI individuals to racial harassment. They also discussed the Model Minority Myth, how media and poor rhetoric harms everyone, colorism, juggling duality between countries, multiracial backgrounds and more.

AAPIs are not a monolith. To start having active communication about these communities, it’s imperative that we address and be aware of the many obstacles AAPI people face.

Learn more about the AAPI communities and our speakers below.

This list will be continually updated.

Important facts and statistics

Resources

Communication organizations

Pittsburgh/Pennsylvania organizations

Social media to follow

Our Speakers

Sunny Yang

Sunny Yang is an Of Counsel with Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP who focuses her practice on international business matters and trade. She represents Chinese entities doing business in the U.S., as well as U.S. entities pursuing investments and operating in China. She has experience negotiating and structuring business transactions, as well as advising corporate executives in matters such as planning for the purchase of U.S. property by non-U.S. persons, transferring and protecting assets and wealth, and strategizing business succession planning. Sunny has overseen legal operations including handling market entry, corporate compliance, import-export matters, employment, immigration and litigation. Sunny is active in several industry organizations, holding leadership roles in regional and national bar associations, as an officer and former board member of Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania, a member and former Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Community & Asian Attorneys Committee of the Allegheny County Bar Association, a former Executive Council member of the Women’s Division for the Allegheny County Bar Association, and Vice –President /Secretary of the Federal Bar Association – Western PA Chapter.

 

Don Michael Mendoza

Don Michael Mendoza is the Co-Founder and

Executive Artistic Director of LA TI DO Productions where he’s collectively produced over 300 cabarets, concerts, theatrical shows, and events throughout Washington, DC (Arena Stage, Shakespeare Theatre Company, The Kennedy Center), New York City (Dramatists Guild Foundation, Feinstein’s/54 Below, Bowery Poetry Club), Los Angeles, his hometown of Pittsburgh, and beyond, since 2012. He most recently played a supporting role in the film The Girl Who Left Home (October 2020) alongside Paolo Montalban (Whitney Houston’s Cinderella) and is the creator of his re-branded blog and new podcast: Producing While Asian (www.producingwhileasian.com). Don Michael holds a B.A. in Musical Theatre & Journalism, and a M.A. in Strategic Communication from American University.

 

Prachi Patel

Prachi Patel is a migration communications consultant for the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and communications manager for the Alliance for Refugee Youth Support and Education (ARYSE). She is also a co-founder of South Asians Building Bridges (SABB), a Pittsburgh-based organization building dialogue around race and equity within and beyond South Asian communities. She holds a degree in anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh and was a Princeton in Asia fellow based in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2019. She has a background in international development, participatory storytelling facilitation and youth engagement.

Commit to Fostering Inclusive Workplaces and Equitable Opportunities for All — Sign our D&I Pledge

by Taylor Fife, D&I Chair

This blog is part of an ongoing series that highlights content featured in PRSA Pittsburgh’s Diversity & Inclusion Toolkit


As D&I Chair, I’m often asked: “W
hy is diversity and inclusion in the workplace important?” For myself and the D&I Committee, answering this question is never bothersome and never gets old. We welcome communicators who want to learn about the significance of D&I to the PR industry—that’s why we created our very own diversity and inclusion toolkit

We also encourage members to take our D&I pledge as a first step towards committing to fostering inclusive workplaces and equitable opportunities for all.

Why is diversity and inclusion in the workplace important?

An accessible, diverse and inclusive workplace is one that makes everyone, regardless of who they are or what they do for a company or organization, feel equally involved in and supported in all areas of the workplace, according to Great Place to Work, an authority on workplace culture and inclusivity.

A diverse and inclusive workplace also fosters a sense of belonging, which ensures every employee feels safe and can bring their full, unique self to work. 

Research conducted by Great Place to Work shows many benefits of a diverse and inclusive workplace:

In fact, Great Place to Work says inclusion in the workplace is one of the most important keys to employee retention. Having an inclusive workplace culture not only helps attract a diverse set of talent but also helps retain the diverse talent attracted in the first place.

The company’s research on company culture reveals that when employees trust that they and their colleagues are treated fairly regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation or age, they are:

  • 9.8 times more likely to look forward to going to work
  • 6.3 times more likely to have pride in their work
  • 5.4 times more likely to want to stay a long time at their company

Use PRSA Pittsburgh’s Diversity & Inclusion Toolkit as a Resource

A brand’s diversity efforts that lack genuine inclusion are often called “tokenism.” An inclusive workplace doesn’t just have a diversity of people present, it has a diversity of people involved, developed, empowered and trusted by the company. 

Modeled after PRSA’s Diversity & Inclusion Toolkit, PRSA Pittsburgh created its toolkit to assist local PR and communications professionals in developing relationships with diverse communities and committing to creating a future of equitable and inclusive opportunities for all in the region.

The toolkit has nine sections in total and includes:

  • PRSA Pittsburgh’s Diversity & Inclusion Pledge
  • A diverse, equitable and inclusive glossary of terms
  • A comprehensive list of diverse groups in the region
  • Ways to cultivate diversity and inclusion in the workplace

The D&I Committee has also committed to updating the toolkit annually to ensure its contents are current and relevant.

Take the PRSA Pittsburgh Diversity & Inclusion Pledge

PRSA Pittsburgh’s D&I Committee is proud to present our D&I pledge to PRSA members. The intent of the pledge is to advance diversity and inclusion in the communications and PR profession. After taking the pledge, we hope employers spark hard conversations in their workplaces and begin to build a more diverse and inclusive environment, ultimately earning deeper trust and more commitment from their employees.

PRSA Pittsburgh encourages PRSA members to virtually sign and commit to our D&I pledge in the form below*. 

We also encourage members to print out and share the pledge (PDF) with their colleagues and peers who may not have access to technology. 

Communications and PR professionals of all identities and seniority levels are encouraged to inquire about joining our Diversity & Inclusion Committee at info@prsa-pgh.org.

*Your information will be stored in PRSA Pittsburgh’s database and will be used to contact you regarding D&I Committee events and initiatives, as well as general chapter programming. 

Five Ways to Make Virtual Networking Valuable

By Deanna Tomaselli and Catherine Clements
Young Pros Co-Chairs

No matter where you are in your career, networking is a crucial skill. It can help you gain industry insights, make connections, learn about organizations, develop references and referrals and build your brand. The stakes are low and the upside is high.

Though, the challenge is most traditional paths of connecting have been postponed, canceled or completely reimagined. Coffees, lunches and happy hours must be more purposefully planned over Zoom or phone calls. It’s not as easy as swinging by a PRSA Off the Clock happy hour on your way home. Instead, we have to actively seek out virtual ways to network.

Given this challenge, and the adjustments and balance of work from home life, it can be easy to let something like networking fall to the back burner. Though, given the unknowns of this year, now is a more important time than ever to strengthen your network. Plus, many seasoned professionals will tell you, “nurture your network when you don’t need one.”

Now, how can you make virtual networking valuable? PRSA Young Professionals sat down with some of Pittsburgh’s best-networked pros to share their insights on how you can maximize your efforts, including:

#1 Be a Detective

Look at people who hold a job you’re interested in. Take notes on their “about” section, activity, education and experience. Look for commonalities and use this as fodder for your outreach.

#2 Bring People to You

Ensure your LinkedIn profile is complete with a headshot, headline, “about” summary and overview of your experience. You want to ensure the right people–like recruiters–can find your profile. Additionally, consider how your content can help you stand out. Are you sharing your perspective on the latest trend? Highlighting key takeaways from your latest read? These are all great ways to connect and add value for your connections.

#3 Go Where the People Are

Consider what platforms people in your field are most active. It may be LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram or even Clubhouse or Reddit. Whatever your avenue, be present, post routinely and engage with others.

#4 Connect with the Right Contact

Instead of reaching out to a recruiter, try finding someone with the role or a similar role you’re looking to land. Set up a 15-minute informational chat to learn more about the position. Taking this time to connect can build your credibility within the organization and help your resume stand out.

#5 Don’t Fear the Cold Ask

Warm up to your connections first by reading their content or making endorsements and insightful comments. Be clear in what you’re asking and what the time commitment will be. Prepare by doing research and developing a question set ahead of time.

 Remember, networking is a level playing field. We each have something to give and something to get to help grow ourselves and others.

Looking to build your virtual community? Join the PRSA Young Professionals Facebook Group.