PRSA Philly to celebrate 70th anniversary with visit from National Board Chair Felicia Blow
‘Thought Leadership in PR: A Conversation with PRSA's Felicia Blow on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’ will be held Tuesday, Sept. 20 at Rodeph Shalom
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 14, 2022 — For 75 years, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) has been the nation's leading professional organization when it comes to serving the communications community. Its presence is arguably no more significant than it is in Philadelphia, which boasts the fifth-largest PRSA chapter in the country and is celebrating a pretty big birthday of its own this year: 70 years.
The local Philadelphia Chapter of PRSA will celebrate both milestone anniversaries next week when it welcomes PRSA National Board Chair Felicia Blow, Ph.D., APR, for a special luncheon presentation.
“Thought Leadership in PR: A Conversation with PRSA's Felicia Blow on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” will be held Tuesday, Sept. 20, at Rodeph Shalom, 615 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pa. The event will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. Blow is an award-winning leader with extensive organizational, fundraising, strategic planning, leadership and management experience and currently serves as Associate Vice President for Development at the renowned historically black institution Hampton University.
"As the fifth largest chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the Philadelphia chapter is thrilled to be celebrating our 70th anniversary with new and longtime members, students, past presidents, community leaders and future members-to-be," said Michele Besso, PRSA Philadelphia president. "It is apropos that we also have the opportunity to recognize PRSA's 75th anniversary with someone of such stature as PRSA National Board Chair Dr. Felicia Blow, APR, who will be with us in person for a conversation on diversity, equity and inclusion, an area of profound importance. An award-winning leader in her field, we are grateful to have a speaker like Dr. Blow with us to share in such a happy occasion and we hope everyone will register to attend what looks to be a tremendous learning luncheon with PRSA Philly!”
Cost to attend the presentation, which includes lunch, is $25 for PRSA members, $35 for future members and $10 for students. Attendees can register here and walk-ins will also be accepted. Free parking is available behind the building off Green Street.
During her talk, Blow will discuss how organizations should empower and guide leadership in embracing inclusivity and in “speaking truth to power.”
“Dr. Blow is a very dynamic speaker, and the topic she will be discussing is paramount in importance to communicators and the companies and organizations that they represent,” said Rick Alcantara, a current PRSA Philadelphia director at-large and former president of the organization. “You see a lot of companies that talk the talk but don’t walk the walk, and that is why Dr. Blow’s message is so important. She is one of the most impactful thought leaders in this area, and every organization, both big or small, can benefit from her message.”
During the event, the Philadelphia Chapter of PRSA will also pay tribute to its organization’s roots. Every past president of the organization has been invited to the luncheon. A special first-ever commemorative coffee table book that describes the top moments in PR and the top leaders of the profession will also be available for purchase.
“PRSA has been a stabilizing force in Philadelphia for a lot of folks who have gone into public relations, and it has been around for 70 years,” Alcantara said. “For new practitioners, PRSA is a great way to connect, network, find job opportunities and learn new skills by taking on volunteer roles. For established practitioners, it’s a great place to work with other professionals and the networking, volunteering and idea sharing is just so valuable.”
For more information on PRSA Philadelphia and its upcoming 70th anniversary event, visit the organization’s website.
ABOUT PRSA PHILADELPHIA CHAPTER:
The Philadelphia Chapter is the fifth largest chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). We provide opportunities for professional development, mentoring, networking and continuous learning in all strategic communication disciplines to 430 members across Greater Philadelphia.
PRSA Philadelphia supports PR and communications professionals in all stages of their career and offers a myriad of resources, including the region’s preeminent PR job bank; the exclusive opportunity to earn the APR professional accreditation; professional development and networking events; and volunteer opportunities. We also work closely with student chapters of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) in the region.
ABOUT FELICIA BLOW:
Dr. Felicia Blow, APR, is an award-winning leader with extensive organizational, fundraising, strategic planning, leadership and management experience. With a 30-year career spanning work in Manufacturing (Caterpillar, Inc.), Waste Management and Environmental Services (Southeastern Public Service Authority), Telecommunications (Cox Communications), and Higher Education (Paul D. Camp and Tidewater Community Colleges). Dr. Blow currently serves as Associate Vice President for Development at the renowned historically black institution Hampton University.
At Hampton, Dr. Blow led the university’s $150 Million Dream No Small Dreams II Campaign as its campaign director. That campaign concluded December 2019 and ultimately exceeded its goal in raising more than $166 million in support of University priorities. Among her many accomplishments, Dr. Blow has been featured in a book Entitled “Diverse Voices” published by the PRSA Foundation in 2018. She also has been featured in a book entitled “PR Women with Influence: Breaking Through the Ethical and Leadership Challenges” by authors Meng, J., Neill, M.S., Pitts, et al., published in late 2020. She also was named Outstanding Alumna of the Year by one of her alma maters (Strayer University) in 2012. In 2019 and 2020, she also led a nearly year-long strategic planning effort that concluded in the establishment of PRSA’s first three-year strategic plan for Diversity & Inclusion and served in 2020 as Co-Chair of the National Diversity & Inclusion Committee. Dr. Blow formerly served as Chair of the Universal Accreditation Board. During her leadership term, she worked to approve and initiate the APR+M credential which positions PRSA with military organizations.
Dr. Blow is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and numerous other business, economic development, and community service organizations. She also has earned the Accredited in Public Relations credential from the Public Relations Society of America. Finally, Dr. Blow earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mass Media Arts from Hampton University, Master’s in Business Administration degree from Strayer University, and Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Old Dominion University.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/feliciablowapr
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/feliciawblow
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/feliciablow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feliciablow