Receiving the Betsy Plank Award was an incredible honor, made even more meaningful by being introduced by my friend and former colleague, Tammy Myrick. I had the privilege of mentoring Tammy and watching her grow into an exceptional leader—now serving as Chief Marketing Officer at the United Way of Greater Greensboro. This award recognizes a lifetime commitment to mentoring, and I’m proud that my work has helped others go on to make their own impact in our profession, in their organizations, and in their communities.

In this episode of #InACarWithIPR, I take a ride through Greensboro with Tina McCorkindale, Ph.D., APR. As we pass landmarks like the historic L. Richardson Memorial Hospital and the Civil Rights Center & Museum, I talk about the path that led me to leadership in healthcare communications. Along the way, we dig into DEI, the future of leadership development, AI’s growing role in communications, and insights from my book, A Seat at the C-Suite Table. Having a chance to mentor others remains close to my heart—this conversation dives into how we build a future-ready leadership community.

In this conversation, I draw on the research behind my book, A Seat at the C-Suite Table, to share insights into the experiences of Black executives navigating the corporate world.

The discussion explores common challenges, key lessons, and the progress being made to break down barriers and create opportunities for the next generation of leaders.

In this conversation with Stories and Strategies with Curzon Publications, I share findings from my research on the perceptions, experiences, and barriers African American men face when entering and advancing in the public relations field. We talk about why representation remains so low, what that means for the industry, and how intentional action—through mentorship, sponsorship, and opportunity—can help change the trajectory. It’s a candid look at both the challenges and the possibilities for building a more inclusive future in PR and communications.

In this episode of Lead with Levity, I share insights from my doctoral research and book, A Seat at the C-Suite Table, exploring the unique journeys of African American male executives. We talk about the challenges of often being the first or only person of color in the C-suite, the role mentorship plays in opening doors, and the ongoing need to “unlearn” assumptions to grow as leaders. These stories aren’t just about individual achievement—they’re a call for more inclusive, supportive environments where every leader has the opportunity to thrive.

As host of this intergenerational panel for the Museum of Public Relations, I had the privilege of joining leaders from across the industry to examine why so few Black men are represented in public relations today—and what we can do to change that. Together, we explored the legacy of pioneers like Joseph Varney Baker, the realities facing Black men in today’s agencies and corporate communications teams, and strategies to attract, develop, and retain the next generation of diverse talent.

In this conversation with Tony Jackson on the Show Your Receipts podcast, I share insights from the research behind my book, A Seat at the C-Suite Table. We discuss the real-world experiences of Black executives—how they earned and maintained their place in senior leadership, the challenges they faced in systems not originally designed for them, and the ways they’re paving the way for the next generation. It was a pleasure to explore these important topics with Tony and to highlight the resilience, determination, and commitment to mentorship that emerged from these stories.

I was honored to join PM Ready for this Black History Month panel, where we explored the intersections of project management, diversity in executive leadership, and the pathways that lead from the classroom to the C-suite. Alongside my fellow panelist Russel Sandidge, I shared lessons from my own leadership journey, the importance of mentorship, and why celebrating Black history is essential to inspiring and preparing the next generation of leaders.

I was honored to join the Institute for Public Relations for the “Race in the PR Classroom” discussion, where we focused on the experiences of attending and teaching at historically Black colleges and universities beyond the “Power Five.” With 107 HBCUs across the U.S., each plays a vital role in shaping the next generation of communicators. We explored ways to better support students and faculty of color and discussed why broadening the conversation about all HBCUs is essential to the future of our profession.

In this MCM Tuesday Talks episode, hosted by the McMaster University Master of Communications Management program—Canada’s leading strategic communication management degree—I discuss why there are so few African-American men in the public relations industry and what we can do to change that. The MCM program blends MBA-level business strategy with applied communication theory, fostering collaboration and connection among executives, educators, and entrepreneurs. It was an honor to join their platform to explore how we can work together to build a more inclusive and representative profession.