NBPRS Detroit
The National Black Public Relations Society - Detroit Chapter (NBPRS-Detroit) is a non-profit professional organization dedicated to encouraging the participation of people of color in the practice and study of public relations and communications.
We are active in supporting employment and professional development opportunities for Public Relations and communications professionals. Student members benefit from mentorship opportunities with more seasoned professionals. NBPRS-Detroit activities give members the chance to network and share best practices with other savvy communications professionals.
We know that saying NBPRS can be a mouthful so we refer to the group as "Beepers" as a short nickname.
Welcome to Our New Executive Board Members
Since the chapter's re-establishment in 2004, we've remained dedicated to serving our members and community by providing strategic opportunities, resources and creating anchor programs revolving around our mission of education, expansion, and empowerment for African American professionals.
Our newly integrated board speaks to the diversity this organization was founded on, with a roster of professionals whose backgrounds span the spectrum of entry-level practitioners to public relations agency owners. The 2011-13 National Black Public Relations Society-Detroit board members are:
• Tamekia N. Ashford, President
• Lisa Wilmore, Vice President
• Brenda Griffin, Correspondence Secretary
• Chrystal Johnson, Program Director
• Leslie Griffin, Communications Director
• Michelle Nash, Membership Director
• Donyale Padgett, Ph. D., Board-member-at large
• Melissa Thrasher, Board-member-at large
A Chapter of A Larger Organization
NBPRS-Detroit is affiliated as a chapter of the national NBPRS organization founded in Beverly Hills, CA in 1987. You can find out more about our national organization by visiting the website www.nbprs.org.
Our History
The National Black Public Relations Society - Detroit Chapter was founded in October 2004 by eight black communications professionals in Detroit. The Detroit Chapter of the National Black Public Relations Society (NBPRS) is committed to serving as a resource and a venue for black public relations practitioners and professional communicators throughout the Metropolitan Detroit area.
Founding Members:
Demetrius Anderson
Linda J. Arogundade
Randye Bullock
Deloris Clark Givens
Wendy Cyrus-Herndon
Antonetta Johnson Gardner
Kevin Smith
Lisa Wilmore
Cherrie Woods
Our Mission
Education:
NBPRS Detroit is focused on helping Detroit based communications professionals acquire and hone the skills necessary to excel in their chosen areas of concentration. The organization has held informational sessions covering small business needs, professional development and others. Our chapter is active in our national organization’s yearly conference, participating in sessions including strategic writing, crisis communications, community relations and corporate responsibility. As our chapter continues to grow and develop, we will continue to gather the collective experience of our membership in the metro Detroit area and beyond to share best practices and expand our knowledge base.
Expansion:
As a part of our mission, NBPRS Detroit is also looking to the future. We feel strongly about involving junior professionals and students in our activities as they grow into the next generation of communicators. Our activities include Coffee Chats Series, professional development, communications panels, networking socials and workshops bring professionals from the diverse universe of Public Relations to expand the world of possibilities with our students and general member body. Communications professionals of color are increasingly expanding to investor relations, corporate communications, government relations in addition to the non-profit, entertainment, consumer goods, real estate and education industries. NBPRS Detroit will continue to highlight the diversity in the field of Public Relations and the various avenues professionals of color can explore.
Empowerment:
We know the unique challenges professionals of color face in the workplace. Surprisingly, it is still not unusual to be the only person of color at the company or agency. NBPRS Detroit functions as a network to share experiences, to offer counsel and for mentorship. NBPRS Detroit provides a forum to express ideas, explore new approaches and a resource for developing partnerships and business opportunities. Our network extends beyond metro Detroit across the country, cutting across agencies and industries to expand our economic and intellectual resources.