COMMnections presents: People-First: How to Create Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive PR Efforts That Engage Rather Than Divide

Audiences should always be at the center of our public relations and marketing efforts. Yet the needs, challenges and interests of diverse audiences are often an afterthought in public relations planning. In this session we will explore effective audience inclusion strategies through a DEI communications framework to position overburdened community audiences at the center of campaign, message and material development planning and serve as insightful collaborators to engage — and not divide — communities.
By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:

* Discuss the concept of “people-first” and why audiences must be at the center of engaging public relations campaigns;

* Understand effective audience inclusion strategies within a DEI communications framework to apply throughout campaign development; and

* Explore approaches for collaborating and engaging with overburdened communities as partners and avoiding divisive strategies, such as tokenism and unconscious bias.

Crystal Borde is a Vice President and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Practice Lead at Vanguard Communications, a PR and social marketing firm based in Washington, DC. She counsels government agencies and non-profit organizations on how to better communicate their DEI values while taking actions within their organizations and communities to be more inclusive and equitable. She puts people first, ensuring that people — who they are and what they need — are accurately and fairly represented in strategic communications planning. Her thought leadership about DEI communication strategies and approaches has been published in Bulldog Reporter and PRSA National’s PRSay blog and featured in industry panel events and conference workshops. In 2021, she was recognized as a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion Honoree by Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards and named a Changemaker Honoree by PR News’ Top Woman in PR. Crystal got her BA at California State University, Fullerton — College of Communications. She is a Director and the DEI Committee Chair for the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) National Capital Chapter Board of Directors for the past three years. Vanguard Communications is a Hispanic woman-owned public relations and social marketing firm whose work is powered by and for people — the individuals, families and communities whose voices are the fuel for change. Since 1987, Vanguard has been working in the areas of health, wellness, energy, environment, education and diversity, equity, and inclusion to foster healthy communities and a thriving planet.