November Past President’s Luncheon: Your Organization’s DNA – What’s Diversity Got To Do With It?

About the Program

Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) are not only buzzwords in the public relations industry, but they are critical business strategies that can help your organization excel if they are part of the DNA of your brand. Join us as we welcome Rochelle Ford, Ph.D., APR, dean of Elon University’s School of Communications, for an interactive session that will help communicators understand why D&I cannot solely be an HR function, but should be part of an integrated strategy across all functional units, including communication. Participants will be able to identify what diversity should mean beyond race and ethnicity, and what strategies will help your organization to achieve an inclusive environment and be able to retain brand equity in the marketplace.

About the Speaker

Rochelle Ford, Ph.D., APR, is a leading researcher and writer on current issues in diversity in communications. Prior to taking over as dean of Elon University’s School of Communications this summer, Dr. Ford was a tenured professor and chair in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. She also spent 16 years at Howard University as a professor in the School of Communications. Dr. Ford has received numerous accolades, including PRSA National Capital Chapter’s Diversity Champion Award and PRSA National’s Parke Gibson Multiculturalism Award. Earlier this month, PR Week elected Dr. Ford among six “industry legends” in its annual Hall of Fame for her outstanding contributions to the communications industry. In addition to serving on the boards of the PRSA Foundation, PRSA National and the American Advertising Federation’s Mosaic Center, she co-chairs the Arthur W. Page Society’s diversity and inclusion committee.
Dr. Ford earned a bachelor’s degree from Howard University, a master’s degree from University of Maryland at College Park, and her doctorate from Southern Illinois at Carbondale.

Menu

Chicken Marsala, chef’s choice of sides and veggies with warm rolls and red velvet cake for dessert. A choice of salad, with or without meat, is also available. Make your selection when registering, and be sure to pick up your salad ticket upon checking in for the luncheon if you choose that option.

RSVP Policy

All RSVPs for lunch meetings must be made by 5 p.m. on MONDAY of the week of a meeting. After that time, members and guests will need to call Sara Hunt at (804) 994-1120 to see if space is still available or to be put on a waiting list if needed. Please RSVP early in order to ensure that you are included in the headcount for lunch! If you register as a guest and later determine that you cannot attend, please contact Sara Hunt, chapter administrator, at admin@prsarichmond.org. You must cancel prior to three business days in advance of the meeting to be eligible for a refund. If you cancel after that deadline, you will still be responsible for the lunch payment and will be billed if you didn’t already pay online. No-shows will be billed for the lunch.

Share the love!