Pro Bono Initiatives to Advance BIPOC-Owned Brands
Walker Drawas
Walker Drawas has launched a new pro bono initiative called The Brand Lab in partnership with renowned design, manufacturing and distribution company, DDA Holdings.
In light of recent social justice and economic issues in 2020, Walker Drawas and DDA aim to support small BIPOC-owned brands by combining their efforts and creating marketing and commercial opportunities for these brands to reach new heights in their businesses at no cost.
The programs services include but are not limited to production, sampling consulting, distribution and sales assistance, as well as 360-degree marketing and press services. Learn more here.
ScienceMagic
ScienceMagic.Inc is committed to driving positive change and promoting diversity within the broader community. They are taking immediate and long-term actions, and have formalised commitments through their pledge.
One pillar of this ongoing work is the launch of a pro bono programme to serve and support the wider community, and specifically Black-owned businesses.
Globally, ScienceMagic.Inc will devote 650 hours per year to pro bono work. At least half of this time will be dedicated to Black-owned businesses or individuals. Learn more here.
We Are Renn
We Are Renn is an incubator that provides marketing services, mentorship and mindset training to female minority owned start-up businesses in the beauty, health and wellness industries.
It will offer a 12-month program to two businesses within the beauty, health and wellness industries composed of a variety of services including digital marketing, PR and brand partnerships, all with the objective of driving awareness, engagement and sales growth as well as setting the entrepreneurs up with the tools, knowledge and skills they need for continued expansion and success upon completion of the program. Learn more here.
Black-Owned Companies in Marketing & Communications
There have been many useful lists circulating with Black-owned brands and services. One of the initial ideas of The PR Net's Diversity & Inclusion Council was to create a list specific to this community, which will be a living document available on our site. Brands and agencies will be able to locate community-sourced intel on agencies and freelance consultants, plus talent they can hire for events, campaigns and projects.
We welcome contributions from this network on your favorite industry collaborators. Please reach out to info@theprnet.com with suggestions for this section.
PR/Communications
Agencies
Los Angeles:
Chicago:
New York City:
Courtney Creative PR and Consulting
New Jersey:
DC:
San Francisco:
Detroit:
Freelance Consultants
Events/Experiential
Agencies
Freelancers
Catering
Social Media
Creatives
Photography & Creative Direction
Hair
Makeup
Stylists
New York City:
Los Angeles:
Design & Branding
Influencers/Digital Creators
Models
Contacts for Diverse Recruitment
Are you looking to recruit diverse interns and junior level employees? Below are some contacts at HBCUs and other educational institutions, that will be points of contact:
Howard University
Emily M. Cramer, Assistant Professor and Interim Assistant Chair
Department of Strategic, Legal and Management Communication
Faculty Advisor, PRSSA D. Parke Gibson Chapter
Cathy Hughes School of Communications
Oakwood University
Dawnette Chambers
Assistant Professor
T (Office) 256.726.7190
Jackson State University
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)
Phillips McCarty
VP of Advancement, FIT Foundation
Bennett College
Tamara Jeffries
Associate Professor, Department of Journalism and Media Studies
900 E. Washington St
Greensboro, NC 27401
336-505-8826
tjeffries@Bennett.edu
Organizations to help with diversity recruiting
Internship opportunity from Cornell University
Empower is a student-run organization that connects current Cornell undergraduates with Black-owned businesses to provide pro bono assistance on projects and other workflows
Apply here: https://forms.gle/CbKSECDwNTWEFhs87
DEI Consulting Services
Nika White Consulting Contact: anna@nikawhite.com
The Chic Jones Company Contact: corynne@thechicjonescompany.com
The Virtue Project Contact: shannon@thevirtueproject.co
