AdPR Academy

What a wonderful job by our Director of Media Relations and DEI Council member, Lisa Gordon-Miller, with her piece in PRWeek on addressing the industry diversity gap! We love this bit on ACTION, not REACTION:   "To cultivate a truly inclusive professional environment, we must ensure that diversity is not merely a reactive response or an afterthought. Instead, it should be proactively, persistently and continuously integrated into the core strategies of our organizations."   We're focused on walking the walk at Sloane through partnerships with AdPR Academy, Howard University CapComm, The Posse Foundation, and more.                                                                                                                                                           We're proud of these efforts and will continue to identify opportunities to close the #diversity gap.   https://lnkd.in/ejkJsA7b   #Sloaner #Inclusion #Talent #Hiring #Recruitment

“AdPR Academy was such a fun and insightful experience,” said Joyce Bell, a student attendee from the The University of Georgia and aspiring public relations professional. “It was a pleasure being in a room filled with diverse students from different universities. Being able to incorporate my ideas in the rebranding of an organization gave me a glimpse of what the public relations industry will be like. I am overly thankful to Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia for allowing me to be a part of such an amazing program.” Joyce Bell was one of 29 students that received a certificate of completion for dedicating time, passion and commitment to her personal development. The Myra Blackmon AdPR Academy for Diversity and Inclusion is working hard to influence the diversity, inclusion and belonging of future leaders in the advertising and public relations fields. Five-days of intense training and networking helps underrepresented talented students garner a competitive advantage as they pursue opportunities in the communications industry. Students from 10 colleges and universities gathered in Atlanta to sharpen their skills, expand their knowledge, strengthen their peer and professional network, all while assisting Georgia Stand-Up, with an inspiring brand awareness campaign to honor its upcoming 20th Anniversary. AdPR Academy is a game changer and a unique, immersive experience that gives diverse students the hope, access and confidence to pursue their communications careers and aspirations. Congratulations to the 2023 cohort, now joining our prestigious network of alumni like Jonina B., Rebecca S Oliveira, Ciana Williams, Orlando Pimentel, Elgin Watts II and Alana Dorsey - just to name a few! You will do amazing things to enhance, advance and accelerate the communications landscape and we sit with great expectation to see what you will accomplish. Many thanks to all our incredible volunteers and sponsors including Hilton, American Airlines, Fitzco, Weber Shandwick, and Jackson Spalding, among others for their time teaching, leading, coaching and mentoring the 7th AdPR Academy Cohort! Check out this article that documents the Academy's growth and take a glimpse that this year's program in our memory video. Article: https://lnkd.in/g4dMX_zS Video: https://lnkd.in/gZ3_PrKb A bright future is ahead for AdPR Academy! And we will be looking for our next set of amazing cohort members in summer 2024. (Photo by Wes Stanfield)