Why we must decolonize our PR history

Activist Marcus Garvey said that people without the knowledge of their history is like a tree without roots. Unfortunately, public relations suffers from a colonized curriculum.

With the celebration of Black History Month in February, PR should honor and spotlight historical, hidden Black figures of change. Many Black pioneers (some who predated the white “fathers” of our profession) practiced strategic, ethical public relations and fought to have their voices heard — many during the Jim Crow period.

We should learn about leaders and visionaries such as Ida B. Wells, Moss Kendrix, Inez Kaiser and others who helped our profession take root and grow.

– Tina McCorkindale, Ph.D., APR, President and CEO, Institute for Public Relations