UK Black Comms Network’s Post

⏳ Just 4 days left to make your voice heard! We're calling on all Black PR and comms professionals to share your experiences. Together with PRWeek UK and Opinium, our One Step Forward Two Steps Black survey aims to uncover the truth about inequities, celebrate successes and set a new standard for our industry. Back in 2020, nearly half of Black communication pros told us they’d never received an internal promotion. We want to know if things have changed. Are you being hired, recognized, and rewarded fairly? Your input is crucial to shaping meaningful recommendations for change. The survey is anonymous and takes just 6 minutes to complete. 🔗 Hit the link below to participate and help us pave the way for a more equitable future in PR and comms. 📅 Remember, the survey closes this Friday, 28th June 2024. Let's make a difference together! ✊🏾 https://lnkd.in/eM--X-Fs

Back in 2020, nearly half of Black communication professionals reported never having received an internal promotion. That's shockingly dismaying! As a 100% BME-staffed agency, we encourage every Black PR professional to join the survey. Let's see what progress (hopefully) has been made, and most importantly, affect change!

💪🏿 Happy Juneteenth!! We at PeakHR commemorate this complicated day, recognizing the harsh realities of history, reflecting on the very real impact of systemic racism over time, acknowledging the inequities that exist today but also celebrating Black culture, excellence and joy. 🙌🏿 As HR practitioners, we have had a front row seat at how companies have navigated Juneteenth over these past years. We have a few thoughts we’d like to share: 1️⃣ Juneteenth is not new. It has been recognized and celebrated by Black Americans, especially Black Texans, for decades, and thanks in large part to activists, including Opal Lee, it is finally a federal holiday.  2️⃣ As individuals, we encourage you to advocate for a deeper understanding of the Black experience in America - in your community, at home, at schools and in your workplace. Don’t pretend that deep, systemic inequities don’t exist and do not allow legislators or corporations to pretend either.  3️⃣ As HR leaders, create the systems and processes that hire, promote and pay Black talent fairly for their work. Open doors, create safe spaces and conditions for Black talent to thrive and contribute.  4️⃣ As investors, consumers and entities, support Black entrepreneurs and Black businesses. Peak HR is proud to be led by a Black Texan and today, we celebrate Morgan Williams' story, contributions and experience. And we encourage you all to join us in making this not just another day on your calendar. Open thread below for sharing resources, stories, or whatever you'd like to contribute to the Juneteenth discourse on LinkedIn. Let's use our platforms for good today.👇🏿

We went through all the categories on this year’s @observer PR Power list to fully understand the scope of the firms and agencies recognized. Upon seeing these numbers, it’s hard not to feel that something is amiss, as there are Black-owned agencies out there meeting metrics and doing impactful work. The only plausible explanation for their absence is a lack of care and attention from those compiling these lists. It exemplifies the industry’s tendency to pay lip service to diversity without following through with meaningful action. In 2020, there was a shift, with Black PR professionals becoming more outspoken about the challenges they face in this industry. Our industry claimed to listen, learn, and take actionable steps towards improvement in an effort to spur honest efforts toward change. However, instances like this list’s glaring omissions call that into question. This reflects larger systemic and industry issues and is another recent example of the dismissal and outright discrimination the media displays in amplifying or suppressing the work of Black talent across PR, marketing, and advertising. We must continue pushing for true equity and inclusion in tangible ways, not just empty platitudes. If you believe in the importance of diversity and inclusion in our industry, please consider adding your name to this open letter. Together, we can make a difference. Read the letter and sign via https://lnkd.in/eHfxE_-i

This Juneteenth, it’s crucial for company leaders and organizations to recognize that asking Black employees to recount traumatic experiences to educate their larger employee base is not acceptable. Here’s why: - First and foremost, such requests place a burden on Black employees, forcing them to confront painful memories that can retraumatize them. - It disregards their emotional well-being and autonomy, reducing their experiences to tools for the education of others. - It perpetuates a harmful dynamic where Black employees are expected to serve as educators on racism, further marginalizing them within the organization. This burden should not fall solely on the shoulders of those who are already navigating systemic inequalities and biases in the workplace. Here’s what you can do: - Create affinity groups or employee resource groups (ERGs) where marginalized employees can find support, camaraderie, and opportunities for professional development. - Leaders, take this time to publicly speak out in support of Juneteenth. - Encourage non-marginalized employees to take the time off to research the history of the holiday. - Partner with Perfeqta! Our company training sessions are tailored to help your entire organization hold engaging conversations about building a safe and inclusive workplace.

Black brands need Black publicists. For one, Black publicists will protect and advocate for you in ways you can't. In turn, Black brands need to join their Black publicists in supporting Black media BEYOND the Essence and Black Enterprise. After Forbes, those are always the next 2 go-to's Black clients *want* you to place them. ( unless you have an ad page and invoice I can't *place* you anywhere, but thats another thread for another time.) it's great when you get those kind of placements but let's not turn down smaller Black publications or outlets who *want* to interview you as well just because it's not the DA you want or you *feel * you deserve to be on a larger platform. (building your media resume and credibility is another thread) if a journalist who writes for Essence accepts a pitch to interview you but it's for their Blog instead or another smaller outlet- accept it! As a small publisher myself, its disencouraging when you create outlets and platforms to give your people a space but since it's not Essence level, they're not trying to entertain. Black publishers/bloggers have to start somewhere. its up to us as publicists of color to bring these outlets and platforms to our client's attention. As Rihanna once told Hollywood Unlocked, "I have to come to the Black Media because you guys have an audience that I respect, an audience that are huge fans of mine, and I have a lot of fans that are fans of yours. It’s kind of stupid not to tap into the people who are your customers, the people that look up to you, and the people that keep your business and your brand." 💯

Political season is here and we are already in the swing of things helping interest-based campaigns reach our audience. Whether through compelling articles, strategic social media content, or dynamic online events, we are excited to partner with organizations looking to push progressive policies that positively impact black voters. Top of mind for our audience this year is: environmental equity & sustainability, access to high-quality jobs, and women’s healthcare. If you are part of an interest-based organization or know of one that is looking to reach black voters this political season, comment on this post!

Reminder: If you haven't kicked off your Black History Month planning, start today! Don’t copy and paste last year's approach. Sure, non-work related events are fun (and necessary!) But how about making a tangible impact for Black employees? I've put together a checklist to get companies started. It’s not all not exhaustive but it’s a great way to start internal conversations. I’m interested to know what your company has in store for Black History Month? Share below!

My Code is promoting the fact that #BlackHistoryMonth provides a significant opportunity for brands to build deeper connections, relevance, and trust with Black consumers. Their data show Black consumers are paying close attention and are very aware of how brands have invested in The Culture. • 71% of Black adults say Black History Month is very important to them • 72% say they want to see more brands present at events rooted in Black culture • 67% of Black adults prefer to buy from brands that support the Black community Download My Code’s report on The Power of Values-Driven Marketing to Black Consumers. https://lnkd.in/gXdqpEX5

Did you know last week (November 16) was National Black Marketer's Day? The holiday celebrates the achievements of Black marketers in America and marks the role Black culture played in influencing the marketing industry. To find out more about it - go to [Link to Article] https://lnkd.in/d5htdQ2T On a scale of 1 to 5 -with 5 being the highest - how would you rank the current state of marketing in your business? #NationalBlackMarketersDay #Marketing