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#REEBlog: Q&A with Kamiqua Pearce

The PRCA Race and Ethnicity and Equity Board’s work has well and truly begun by tackling the ethnicity pay gap in PR and communications and demanding a psychologically safe, racist-free environment that is fair and equitable across all ethnicities. The conversations being had on the Board and with the wider industry are not easy. But as REEB’s Chair Barbara Phillips so aptly wrote, “it's easier than having to hold your tongue, absorb microaggressions, and in some cases, crush your dreams in an effort to hold onto your job and enjoy some fleeting semblance of a career for years on end.” 

The 12 REEB members bring their own unique experience and expertise to the table. As REEB’s work continues, we’re putting its members in the spotlight to find out what drives them, their PR journey and the Board’s priories moving forward.

As a member of the PRCA Race and Ethnicity Equity Board, what are you most looking forward to getting started in the role?

Working with fellow Founding Board members to root out racial inequity within the PR industry. 

What do you see as the main challenges to REEB's aims and how will the board tackle them?

Collaboration. The PRCA has recently taken great steps forward to improve diversity within the organisation and to lead by example. For many, and by its own admission, it has been a long time coming. 

Key to PR pros supporting and trusting that this new direction is not just a phase is the PRCA continuing to walk it’s talk and for the REEB to deliver on our objectives. It’s not an easy road ahead but we are committed to our goals and we know we can’t do it alone. Working in partnership with our peers and seeking expert consultancy from those within and outside of our industry is the only way we can make a meaningful difference and ensure lasting impact.

How did you originally get started in public relations/communications?

I am one of those 'crazy' people who has a degree in public relations - I studied fashion promotion, journalism and broadcast at the University of The Arts London. I say 'crazy' as PR was very much a 'who you know' industry back then so when I was trying to get into the industry many were surprised that a degree existed when they had simply been hired by a friend!

PR was the only thing that stood out for me as a career as it allowed me to fuse my love of writing, problem solving and creativity and that’s why I am still here 15 years later! 

What are some of the projects you have been a part of during your career that you'remost proud of?

Leading the team to launch the Aldi Kevin The Carrot campaign and The NCS Sainsbury's Food Bank partnership are two that spring to mind right now.

The NCS food bank campaign was based on a simple idea by young people in Devon - it was low cost, gained mass earned coverage and most importantly drove much needed donations to local food banks. 

What do you love most about working in the PR and communications industry, and would you still recommend this as a career?

I love the variety and versatility of the work we do - it’s one of the things that attracted me to the profession in the first place and what keeps me here today. 

I have been fortunate to lead PR & comms for so many different industries from health, fashion and retail to corporate comms, youth culture and travel. A career in PR allows you to gain insights on how different types of companies and organisations are set up and run, understand how they thrive and to connect with people with different passions and expertise - not all careers provide that opportunity.

Can you share some of your experiences in the PR and comms industry that highlightsome of what REEB talks of in the TOR?

The ethnicity pay gap is real! It’s not just a PR problem and even with banding, and generally inclusive recruitment practices in place we are often paid much less and are promoted infrequently - this needs to change!

If there was no REEB what would you be doing in this space?

This year I founded Coldr and I was intentional about a proposition that offered strategic PR and communications consultancy and also supported brands and organisations to become more inclusive businesses and places to work. I am passionate about the power of language and communications in helping people to have better conversations and be inspired by difference, rather than scared, dismissive or discriminatory of those who are not the same as them. Often language or words divide when they can include.

Getting inclusion right is hard work and there are some great initiatives in place to tackle racial inequity. The UK Black Comms Network, which I established this summer, aims to work alongside these programmes to increase the number and seniority of Black PR and Comms professionals in the UK PR Industry and to use our convening power to ‘Give Black’ - a project that enables us to support our community with PR & Comms. 

We have recently partnered with Pinterest to offer Black owned businesses PR consultancy and we are looking forward to future brand partnerships that help us to deliver on our aims.

Together with founding members Addy Frederick, Annique Simpson, Andre Bogues and Tarita Mullings, I have been plowing away behind the scenes and we launch next month! You can read more about us here: www.blackcommsnetwork.co.uk.