The PRSA Foundation announced today the 2024 class of fellows, which was conceived by and funded through Mission North’s cross-industry diversity initiative that aims to empower the next generation of PR professionals. The collaborative effort creates pathways for individuals historically excluded from leadership positions in the public relations industry by offering opportunities to gain valuable work experience while offsetting some of the financial burdens of tuition and other education expenses.
Six different PR agencies support the program, which includes a combination of scholarships and stipends awarded through the PRSA Foundation totaling $80,500, and paid internships with each agency. This year, the fellowships will be awarded to:
● AGEAN Public Relations Fellowship: Fatoumatta Sowe, Cornell University
● Bliss-Baker Fellowship: Jalani Isaac, St. John’s University
● Just Drive Media Communications Fellowship: Evelyn Ealey, Elon Universit
● LaunchSquad Fellowship: Natalie Aldous, Brigham Young University
● Method Communications Fellowship: Venecia Easter, Florida A&M University
● Mission North The Future Is… Fellowship: Naiyana Williams, Hampton University
The fellows will complete a five-to-eight-week paid internship this summer, using a curriculum developed by Mission North following the launch of its The Future Is… Fellowship in 2022.
“The PRSA Foundation is thrilled to award Evelyn, Fatoumatta, Jalani, Naiyana, Natalie, and Venecia with these fellowships,” said Antonio Crane, president of the PRSA Foundation’s Board of Trustees.” We are certain they will be rising stars in the communications profession and have an impact on the diverse and vibrant communities we serve. I want to thank Mission North for leading this valuable initiative and our agency partners for their steadfast support and for providing such unique opportunities to these well-deserving students.”
The fellows will be recognized with other PRSA Foundation scholarship recipients at the 2024 Paladin Awards in Chicago and PRSSA awards ceremony at ICON 2024 in Anaheim, California.
The PRSA Foundation believes in building a more progressive future for the next generation. Plans to create more access and opportunity with long-term, expanded initiatives for students of color and other underrepresented communities will continue throughout 2024.
