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Date: 2/5/2026
Subject: PRSA Oregon News: Celebrating Black Pioneers in Public Relations
From: PRSA Oregon Communications

President’s Column

During one of my visits to New York City last year, I took the opportunity to explore the Museum of Public Relations. Everywhere I looked were extraordinary reminders of our profession’s history, including mementos tied to familiar names like Ivy Lee, Edward Bernays and Harold Burson. What stayed with me most, though, was a display dedicated to Black public relations leaders whose names and stories were largely unfamiliar to me. This is why I’m especially excited that the Museum of Public Relations will join us for our February 11 webinar to share stories of Black PR visionaries. I hope you’ll register and join us.

On the subject of lifelong learning, it’s official: registration is open for the PRSA Oregon Northwest Communicators Conference, “The High Ground: Reaching the Summit of PR Leadership.” The event will be April 16-17 at the University of Oregon Concordia campus in Portland. Our committee is meeting weekly and has planned two full days of speakers across three tracks, along with four keynote conversations and plenty of time in between sessions to catch up with colleagues.

The conference will be a wonderful opportunity for career growth, and there are a couple of things we’re especially proud of. Student communicators from Allen Hall PR, the University of Oregon’s student-led agency, are helping our chapter plan and promote the event. And for the first time in the conference’s history, PRSA Puget Sound is collaborating with us, expanding both the speaker base and the reach of the event. Be sure to register before April 2 to take advantage of early bird pricing.

If you’re looking for some in-person time with colleagues this month, I hope you’ll join us for our February 17 Communicators Social. We had a great time together last month and are looking forward to doing it again.

Board Spotlight: Sylke

Sylke Neal-Finnegan: Championing DEI

Sylke Neal-Finnegan, APR, is this year's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer for PRSA Oregon. Her focus will be on continuing to advance DEI as a fundamental value in public relations that enriches the profession.

In this role, she aims to strengthen engagement with communicators from diverse backgrounds and create opportunities for connection and learning throughout the year. As a seasoned public relations professional, Sylke brings deep expertise and a commitment to equity and representation to her roles within PRSA and the broader communications community.

In addition to her chapter leadership, Sylke also serves at the national level on PRSA’s DEI Committee. This committee plays a key role in developing resources, programming and best practices that help PRSA members advance industry-wide DEI efforts.

Sylke’s leadership exemplifies PRSA’s ongoing dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion, which is a priority reflected in PRSA’s strategic initiatives and public statements that DEI is fundamental to the future of public relations.

Leading With Clarity:
A Black Executive’s View From the C-Suite
February 11, 4-5pm ET

Leading With Clarity: A Black Executive’s View From the C-Suite

The Next Era of Leadership:

Black Voices Shaping the Future of PR
February 24, 5-6pm ET

The Next Era of Leadership: Black Voices Shaping the Future of PR

Celebrating Black Pioneers in Public Relations
Feb. 11 | Hidden Figures of PR

PRSA Oregon is thrilled to celebrate Black History Month with Hidden Figures of PR, presented by Jade Wright, communications associate with the Museum of Public Relations.This program highlights the often-overlooked Black pioneers whose work helped shape the public relations profession and continues to influence practice today.

Located in Lower Manhattan, the Museum of Public Relations houses the world’s largest PR archive, with more than 5,000 artifacts spanning over a century. Its collection traces the evolution of the field across sectors, including financial, medical, and military communications, while elevating diverse voices that have long contributed to its growth.

Jade translates archival research into accessible storytelling for today’s communicators. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Manhattanville College and is pursuing a master’s degree in strategic communication at Baruch College.

PR professionals are encouraged to join this timely session to deepen their understanding of the profession’s history and its relevance for the work we do today.

PRSA Oregon kicked off 2026 with a strong turnout at our first Communicators Social of the year. Members and guests came together for meaningful conversation, new connections, and time in community with fellow communicators from across the region.

PRSA Oregon Communicators Social

Join fellow PR pros for our February Communicators Social!

PRSA Oregon will provide appetizers, with beverages available for individual no-host purchase. This is a great opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the region.

When: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 | 5:00–7:30 p.m.

Where: Steeplejack Brewing Co. 2400 NE Broadway, Portland, OR

This is a FREE event. RSVPs are strongly encouraged so we can order the right amount of appetizers.

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