We formed the D&I Committee simply because we needed a dedicated task force to tackle the lack of diversity in the PR industry.
The Institute for Public Relations reports that “White women dominate the profession at lower organizational levels, and White men hold most upper-level positions.” Although more women are in leadership roles and more people of color are entering the field today, problems still persist, such as lack of racial and ethnic diversity and inequity in pay.
As PR professionals, we are ethical storytellers. We’re responsible for producing truthful, accurate and fair communications materials. If a company’s employees do not reflect the larger society they belong to, the messages they create are at a greater risk of being culturally insensitive and offensive.
PRSA Pittsburgh is dedicated to elevating the voices and telling the stories of those who are so often unheard in the PR industry. Diverse perspectives are integral to changing the narrative and creating a future of equitable and inclusive opportunities for all.
The Diversity & Inclusion Committee of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Pittsburgh Chapter is driven by this goal — to build awareness by increasing visibility of D&I standards, resources and best practices inclusive to groups of different racial, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation and gender backgrounds; as well as to those who are differently abled. We want to increase this visibility to underrepresented groups during all phases of their career.
Our efforts (so far)
Forward-Thinking
PRSA Pittsburgh is proud to stand by and support individuals of all races, genders, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientation, disabilities, and any other beautiful identifier. Unfortunately, a lack of diversity continues to exist in our field. Your voices and stories are integral to changing the narrative and creating a future in which opportunities are equal. We look forward to implementing efforts that support your professional development and bright future.
We welcome your feedback and interest to get involved with our efforts.
Please contact our Diversity & Inclusion Committee Chair with any questions, concerns or ideas:

Taylor Fife
“We are committed to ensuring marginalized professionals in our area are recognized, respected and valued. We hope to create a more welcoming and supportive environment for the underrepresented in Pittsburgh’s PR and communications industries by implementing unique programming that promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace.”
Resources
From the PRSA Pittsburgh Blog
- From the armed forces to the civilian workforce: Tips to attract, hire and retain veterans
- New Diversity & Inclusion Chairs discuss visibility and impact that diverse voices can bring to Pittsburgh’s public relations industry
- There are a lot of white guys in my head
- Sustaining the Rainbow: Ensuring We’re Perpetuating Pride and Everything it Stands for Long After June
- Take the first step: Let’s all do our part to make public relations and Pittsburgh more diverse
- International Women’s Day – Equality is Everyone’s Fight
- First PR Summit Session Aims to Transform the D&I Landscape in PRSA Chapters
- PR Summit Digital Series: Building a More Accessible, Inclusive World
- Honoring Black PR History: A reflection on pioneers of the industry
- Cultivating an accessible, diverse and inclusive PR community