The National Black Public Relations Society (NBPRS) is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and, in recognition, the Los Angeles Chapter will honor 20 trailblazers in communications and culture. Black Public Relations Society of Los Angeles (BPRS-LA) hosted the 20th Anniversary Awards Celebration on November 16 at the California African American Museum in Los Angeles, Calif.
During this special event, the organization awarded executives from across film, television, sports, music, fashion and technology. Hosted by Entertainment Tonight’s Kevin Frazier, honorees will include Erika Bennett, global head of digital marketing, YouTube Originals and YouTube TV; Cheryl Boone Isaacs, immediate past president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; Michael Lewellen, APR, vice president of corporate communications and public engagement, Portland Trail Blazers; Ellene V. Miles, senior vice president of intersectional marketing, Sony Pictures Entertainment; Shawn Smith, BPRS-LA co-president and senior communications executive with Warner Bros. Consumer Products; Lindsay Wagner, vice president, Ketchum; and Tosha Whitten-Griggs, senior vice president of public relations for TV One.
“We celebrate the legacy of NBPRS, and its ongoing efforts to champion diversity,” said Shawn Smith, co-president BPRS-LA. “Our honorees exemplify excellence and their impact goes beyond communications to shape our culture and world. We are excited to honor such an accomplished group of individuals, and we are inspired every day by their achievements.”
The celebration featured five award categories including PR Power Pros, PR Power Players, Power Press, Power of Influence, and seven recipients will receive the highest honor, the Pat Tobin Award named in honor of the late PR pioneer and NBPRS co-founder. Kinya Claiborne, Editor-In-Chief of Style & Society Magazine will host the red carpet show.
