In late October, we hosted “Accessibility in the Workplace: Going Beyond Compliance.” This was an opportunity for our organization to not only recognize the importance of the disability community but also to take steps to better understand it. We partnered with Disability Advocates of Kent County (DAKC) and Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) to bring in five panelists teach us about creating a more equitable workplace environment.

Maleika Joubert Brown, Ed.S is the Director of Equity and Inclusion for the Grand Rapids Public Schools, where she began as a math teacher and grew her career in the district for 26 years. WMPRSA’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Committee was pleased to have Brown visit over the summer to speak about her role and how to be an ally for individuals who are a part of marginalized communities.

Grand Rapids resident Levi Rickert is the founder and publisher of Native News Online, which reports on issues impacting American Indians in the U.S. and Canada and advocates for the Native American community.

During this academic year, I made a priority of attending WMPRSA Third Thursday panels. I could depend on Third Thursdays for genuine conversations with PR professionals, who offered advice on how to successful start a communications career. The Third Thursday panels are a great way to network, too.

In the last two Third Thursdays, important themes emerged for those of us students who are nearing the end of their educational career and the beginning of a workplace career:

During this academic year, I made a priority of attending WMPRSA Third Thursday panels. I could depend on Third Thursdays for genuine conversations with PR professionals, who offered advice on how to successful start a communications career. The Third Thursday panels are a great way to network, too.

In the last two Third Thursdays, important themes emerged for those of us students who are nearing the end of their educational career and the beginning of a workplace career:

There is no secret sauce enticing people to join an organization like PRSA or the West Michigan chapter. It can be a tough sell, particularly when fewer organizations will pay national membership dues or allow employees to attend luncheons and networking events during the workday. The national downward trend can feel overwhelming at times.

WMPRSA Communicator of the Year Jamiel Robinson uses his voice to advocate for expanded economic opportunities for Black communities

How to Advance Justice and Equity: A Conversation with WMU-Cooley Law School’s Tracey Brame

What a year. This was supposed to be when life got “back to normal,” yet it’s been anything but that. In fact, our entire 2021 at WMPRSA operated in the virtual space. Never would I have imagined that during my year as president, I would not see one WMPRSA member in person.

Dr. Sandra Upton is Founder + Chief DEI Strategist with Upton Consulting Group (UCG), based in Grand Rapids, Mich. UCG is an experienced and innovative team of strategists who work with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) professionals and organizations around the world by providing proven strategies to create inclusive and equitable organizational cultures.

How to be an Ally of the Latinx Community | Raul

APR Guide

It all begins with an idea.

It all begins with an idea.

It’s our responsibility as PR and communication professionals to learn, find the answers and firm up our comfort level advising businesses whose futures depend on visible allyship.