The PRCA Race and Ethnicity and Equity Board’s work has well and truly begun by tackling the ethnicity pay gap in PR and communications and demanding a psychologically safe, racist-free environment that is fair and equitable across all ethnicities. The conversations being had on the Board and with the wider industry are not easy. But as REEB’s Chair Barbara Phillips so aptly wrote, “it's easier than having to hold your tongue, absorb microaggressions, and in some cases, crush your dreams in an effort to hold onto your job and enjoy some fleeting semblance of a career for years on end.”
The 12 REEB members bring their own unique experience and expertise to the table. As REEB’s work continues, we’re putting its members in the spotlight to find out what drives them, their PR journey and the Board’s priories moving forward.
As a member of the PRCA Race and Ethnicity Equity Board, what are you most looking forward to getting started on in the role?
The work we are doing on Ethnicity Pay Gap is both exciting and challenging. It’s important work as will make a tangible difference to communicators’ lives and prospects. I think there are many PR and comms firms that want to do this but don’t know where to start and so I want to help by advising and providing them with tools to support them.
What do you see as the main challenges to REEB's aims and how will the board tackle them?
As a voluntary board we know this isn’t going to be easy. It’s a learning curve for all of us, but just because things are difficult doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try.
It’s impossible to make progress without change and changing practices that have been in place for years is going to be hard and uncomfortable. We acknowledge this as a board and our approach will need to be collaborative with individuals, organisations and like-minded peer groups to bring about meaningful change within the industry
How did you originally get started in public relations/communications?
By accident! I was in Product Marketing for a large bank and asked to be a media spokesperson for the product that led to me getting heavily involved in the PR planning and campaigns. Then one day she asked me to head up PR and Communications for a new business division. That was a career defining role for me. I got involved in so much – business acquisition, disposal, crisis management, employee engagement. It was a busy 2 years.
What are some of the projects you have been a part of during your career that you're most proud of?
Over the years I’ve been involved in some huge and complex transformation programmes and even though they were all consuming at the time now they’ve been delivered, it’s great to look back and smile knowing I was part of that. I’ve delivered engagement events to thousands of people across the world – events always give me a buzz. Hopefully they will be back soon.
What do you love most about working in the PR and communications industry, and would you still recommend this as a career?
I love that each day is different and that I have travelled the world doing a job I love. I love that I’m able to influence leaders at the highest levels of an organisation. Working in comms gave me early insight into what happens in board rooms and executive decision making I’m not sure there are many disciplines that enable you to do that. I also love that communications has the power to help people feel good about the work they and do instil pride in the organisation they work for.
Can you share some of your experiences in the PR and comms industry that highlight some of what REEB talks of in the TOR?
I feel fortunate to have been supported through my career by inspirational leaders and to have reached a senior level. That said I’ve experienced my fair share of microaggressions from the irritating – Where are you from? No Really? Question to being asked whether I’m in the right meeting! A couple of years ago I was at an event where a student came up to me and said she had never seen a black woman working in comms let alone one at my level. This stunned me and was the catalyst I needed to get involved in being an active advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in the Comms industry.
If there was no REEB what would you being doing in this space?
I feel fortunate to have been supported through my career by inspirational leaders and have always tried to help others by mentoring. If there was no REEB I’d be looking to set one up – which as a Founding Board Member is exactly what happened in July
What is the most important thing the Board should focus on right now?
Improving diversity and representation at the decision-making level. I’ve been critical of PRCA’s own track record in the past, so I’m encouraged to see they’ve taken on board feedback and made changes to the make-up of the board. Our priority right now is doing the work to support ethnic pay gap reporting.