Inclusive Communication Fosters Belonging
It seems the only predictable part of life is change. Who knows that better than PR professionals? Each year we work in this profession should sharpen our skills and open our minds as we observe change — changes in people’s attitudes, behaviors and even beliefs. After two decades of working in public relations, I believe the principles of this work should remain static while everything about how we bring those principles to life is dynamic.
Latinas in PR Leverage Crucible Moments
Back in college, I had a debate with my creative writing professor about my identity. “Am I a Latina poet? Or am I a poet who happens to be Latina?” For me, the difference between those two descriptions wasn’t really about identity. It was about the type of work people could expect from my writing. I recognized that there was an expectation on what I should write about based on my ethnicity. Expanding what’s expected of me became my unconscious mission.
Be Courageous When Communicating
Communicating when the stakes are high or the subject is uncomfortable can be a challenge for PR practitioners. It seems like tactfully sharing hard truths or facilitating sensitive conversations is somewhat a specialty. All PR professionals should become skilled in navigating tricky topics and conversations to be true advisers. Even crisis communication experts may have to overcome fear or anxious feelings that arise before communicating. We may not have that thick skin yet, but we can work to develop it.
Spanish Media Myths and Truths
I began my PR career at a Hispanic boutique agency. I didn’t know the difference between “general market” and Hispanic market media as a new grad, but soon learned about the divide. At a Hispanic or multicultural agency, you’re going to focus on the unique cultural attributes and communication preferences of a niche audience.
A Board Member's PR Responsibilities
Statistics show that boards are typically not diverse enough, which can cause issues. A recent article in the Los Angeles Times shared how, while Latinos are the nation’s largest and fastest-growing ethnic minority group in the United States, they remain less likely than Black or Asian professionals to be found in the boardroom. In fact, an analysis by SpencerStuart shows that Latinos make up only 5% of S&P 500 boards.
Help Tell Latino Stories
Think back to your American history class days. Which races were reflected in the textbook? The hard truth is that they probably weren’t Hispanic. Latinos are not even categorized as a race by the U.S. government. We’re an ethnic version of white. Is there a more symbolic way to explain how the Latino story is missing its rightful place in American stories?
Clarifying Hispanic Heritage Month
Sept. 15 marks the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month. This cultural observance month is the only one celebrated in the United States that starts and ends mid-month, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Día de Los Muertos is celebrated not long after on Nov. 1. This means many areas of the nation may experience some type of Hispanic or Latino cultural expression anywhere between September through November!
Respect Educational Diversity
When is the last time you thought about the education level of your stakeholders? As PR professionals, we may think more about visual indicators of diversity than how people differ in ways we can’t see. The level of education people have can affect all aspects of their life. Have you considered tailoring your PR strategies in relation to educational diversity?
Making Connections with Hispanic Influencers
How do you connect with the Hispanic market? That’s a top question for organizations because Hispanics accounted for 52 percent of the U.S. population growth in the last decade and have an economic buying power of $1.5 trillion. Hispanic consumers are tight-knit networks — we are wired for referral based, word-of-mouth marketing. A primary trust factor is whether a family member or friend has referred us to an organization, product or service.
National Museum Elevates Latino Contributions
My family and I recently explored the first iteration of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino in Washington, D.C. As the Smithsonian works to secure a stand-alone museum site, the Museum of the American Latino has been integrated into the National Museum of American History through the construction of the Molina Family Latino Gallery.
Cultural Competency Is a Must for All
In November, I was happy to attend PRSA’s ICON 2022 conference in Grapevine, Texas. The three-day event offered many rewarding experiences, but some situations there surprised me. I was excited to speak to hundreds of students and professionals at ICON 2022 about my new book, “Smart Talk: Public Relations Essentials All Pros Should Know.” As a communicator and agency owner, I am invested in PRSA. My team and I prepared for months for this milestone moment.
Wisdom from a Recent College Grad: Get Involved!
Becoming a communications major is one of the best decisions I have made in college and I am greatly looking forward to my career in public relations. College is an amazing chapter in anyone’s life and I cannot stress enough what I have gained from having leadership roles and mentors I know I can trust. At the end of the day, you get out of college what you put into it.
Book Sneak Peak: How to Embrace Email Ettiquette
In Chapter 2, “Start Smart with PR Etiquette,” I share my thoughts on the unspoken PR etiquette that makes or breaks our reputations. These tips will save you lots of embarrassing moments. A surprising section to many is my take on email management strategy, which is actually key to successful workplace communication.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion PR Expert Releases First Book
Melissa Vela-Williamson provides valuable insights for those starting their PR career
The Changing Language of DEI
When you use the word “diversity”, what do you think of? Language continuously evolves. In English, many words have double meanings and terms evolve from acceptable to unacceptable over time. Or we have many words that mean the same thing. PR pros – do you say “media release” or “press release”?
Think Before You Post to Avoid A Social Media Crisis
We all have had those moments where we see something on social media that makes us feel an emotion. Quickly, we can be inspired to laugh, cry or get angry. We instantly want to react. But what does liking, sharing, or commenting say about us professionally or personally?
What I’ve Learned as a PR Apprentice
I had no idea what to expect or what a virtual apprenticeship would even look like, but throughout the past eight months, I have gained real-world PR experience, expanded upon my undergraduate skills, and formed so many new skills. I have learned more in this position than I could even put onto paper, but here are some of the most important and career-altering tips I learned as a PR apprentice.
How College Graduates Can Launch Their Career
Dear college graduates, we feel your pain! We know what it’s like to do everything you have been told - get a high school diploma, a college degree - but no one promises you a fun and lucrative job out of college! We’ve been there too.
Melissa Vela-Williamson and MVW Communications Named Finalists in Inaugural National Diversity Awards
San Antonio-based MVW Communications can now add “changemaker” to its list of accolades.
PRNews recently announced that Melissa Vela-Williamson, APR, is a finalist for the Latinx Pioneer Award, and its Meals on Wheels COVID Response Campaign is a finalist in the communications and PR campaigns executed by a Latinx-owned business.
Managing Communication During Power Outages
The morning of Feb. 15, Texans woke up to a Winter Wonderland. As the day wore on, our Winter Wonderland turned into a Winter Wasteland. Power outages left thousands of residents without heat and in the dark. To compound the challenges, many lost water service to their homes from frozen water pipes and other weather-related issues. The winter storm of 2021 taught us many lessons when outages lasted more than a day. Here are a few tips to help you plan for the next major weather disaster.