FEBRUARY 2025: BLACK HISTORY + WINTER BLUES
Contents
1.
Keep the conversation alive
Arlene Amitirigala sparks our thinking as we work towards justice, fairness and equity to last the whole year through. She also points to past articles from Black History Month, with practical advice on how we can foster greater inclusion and support change that goes beyond one month.
2.
Diverse Threads: Rawle Borel Jr. on how to embed DEI into event planning
Learn what cupcakes have to do with embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into event planning in this conversation between Rawle Borel Jr. and Brent Artemchuk.
3.
Want to blast the winter blues? Take a hike, eh
Our session with Monique Giroux on January 22 showed us how to beat the blues and turn a frozen frown upside down. Adrienne Jackson, ABC, shares what she learned.
4.
And more!
Learn more about new member Anne Greenwood. Get the details about our next professional development event in March. And check out some of the recent posts shared on our social media channels.
Keep the conversation alive
By Arlene Amitirigala
This January, I was invited to deliver a guest lecture to PR students at Durham College about the lived experience of Black Canadian communication professionals and how to practice solidarity with Black communities.
In addition to sharing my own experiences in Canada and the United States, which have been largely positive, I shared the results of two Canadian research studies. One focused on Public Relations professionals and the other on Black professionals in general.
The 2021 survey on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Public Relations profession was conducted by Leger for the Canadian Council of Public Relations Firms, the Canadian Public Relations Society and IABC. The study included a sample of 1,231 Canadian communications professionals, with 24% identifying as BIPoC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour).
The data showed that BIPoC professionals are proud of the industry (85%) and recommend it to other BIPoC peers (76%). However, they are far less satisfied with their current positions (64%) and have lower perceptions of being treated equally (52%). It found there was diversity at junior, intermediate and senior levels – but that it usually stops at the executive level. Many BIPoC professionals reported facing unconscious bias, microaggressions and some discrimination.
Published in 2023, the second study, “Levelling the Playing Field for Black Canadians: A Call to Action for Leaders,” was conducted by the Conference Board of Canada. It found that “Despite decades of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts aimed at levelling the playing field, Black Canadians feel that others’ perceptions of their racial identity negatively impact how their Social and Emotional Skills are recognized and evaluated at work.” Study findings suggested that systemic and unconscious biases are significant barriers in the workplace, leaving many Black professionals feeling that their skills and potential are not truly valued at work.
After reading these studies, conducted two years apart, the question that came to mind was How long does change take? It’s one I’ve been reflecting on ever since reading Michelle Obama’s The Light We Carry, where she references Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic “How Long? Not Long!” speech from March 25, 1965.
Dr. King had led thousands of nonviolent demonstrators to the steps of the capitol in Montgomery, after a 54-mile march from Selma, Alabama, in a determined campaign to gain voting rights for Black voters. He told the crowd of 25,000 people gathered at the foot of the capitol, “There are no broad highways that lead us easily and inevitably to quick solutions. But we must keep going.”
Many of us have read varying opinions about DEI efforts and we are seeing counter action in the U.S. with the Trump administration pushing for private companies to roll back DEI goals. Some companies, including GM, Pepsi and Amazon, are removing references to diversity, equity and inclusion from annual reports, and some have removed DEI roles entirely.
What this means for the future is unclear, but the need to continue working towards justice, fairness and equity remains if we want to build peaceful societies. Our response as communication professionals must be to keep the conversation alive, whether we work internally in organizations or manage our own practice and interact with clients.
The important word is conversation.
At a recent CBC Massey Lecture, Dr. Ian Williams read excerpts from his book, What I Mean to Say – Remaking Conversation in Our Time. He writes, “We can talk about anything if we know how. We should still talk, in good faith, even if we don’t know how.”
Over the last four plus years, our IABC/Toronto PIC members have shared content and organized events during Black History Month designed to keep the conversation going, giving members more knowledge and access to resources and perhaps more confidence to talk and listen to Black voices.
So, here’s my ask – keep on reading and keep the conversation going. Tap on the links below and revisit content from some of our past Buzz articles:
- My own in 2022 explores “Letting love lead the way,” about how we as solopreneurs can foster greater inclusion, diversity, equity and belonging.
- Marie-Lauren Gregoire Drummond, SCMP (she/her), has some suggestions for ways to help our clients think about – and act on – Black History Month and beyond.
- Jacqui DeBique, SCMP (she/her), embraces February as the month of love and Black history.
- “How to support change that goes beyond Black History Month” summarizes a panel discussion held in 2023.
My hope is to spark your thinking and action to last the whole year through, not just in February.
Diverse Threads: Rawle Borel Jr. on how to embed DEI into event planning
By Brent Artemchuk
Welcome to Diverse Threads, an ongoing series that explores the journeys and stories of professional communicators who are actively working to embed diversity, equity and inclusions best practices for their clients.
This month, Rawle Borel Jr., SCMP (he/him), a professional communicator and event planner, provides his thoughts on how to embed diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) into conference and event planning.
“Metaphorically, we need to move beyond delivering cupcakes and really connect an organization’s event delivery to its DEI strategy,” Rawle says. “There are so many opportunities to tell stories, highlight employee journeys, celebrate milestones and use diverse suppliers through this medium. Organizations need to start taking advantage of this.”
Let’s start with a foundational question: How can conferences and special events be used as a tactic in an organization’s overall DEI strategy?
Conferences and events are themselves a tactic in an organization’s overall DEI strategy in several ways. For example, when planning events, give thought to:
- Reinforcing culture through the types of engagement activities chosen – the type of speakers who are part of the program, the venue and its accessibility options.
- Embracing diversity through the food and beverage, décor and the suppliers chosen to support the event.
- Harnessing the power of diverse thought through collaboration activities, such as mixing the seating arrangements so internal teams and functional colleagues can meet new people.
How can communication professionals guide organizations in demonstrating their commitment to DEI through conferences and special events?
Start by looking at integrated communication planning. As organizations build their communication strategies to achieve business outcomes, this is an opportunity to understand audiences and what resonates with them through the lens of embracing inclusion and leveraging diversity. For example, when developing an event, use inclusive language in the messaging, be mindful of world events and/or observances that might be taking place around the time of your event and ensure accessibility for all event attendees.
How often should organizations update their strategy?
I suggest an annual review at a minimum, as well as when there is a major change in the landscape – whether that change is occurring inside or outside the organization. This is just good practice to make sure you’re consciously thinking about internal and external situations.
At a recent conference, you presented a session called “Beyond Cupcakes: Transforming Corporate Events into Catalysts for Growth.” Can you explain how this connects to DEI?
My premise here is to focus on purpose vs. pastries. What I mean is that there must be a strategic intent to all aspects of an event. For example, if choosing a thematic colour, it should be a colour that represents the organization. If the purpose of the event is to make business connections, you may consider assigned seating.
Another example might be related to supplies. To demonstrate your organization’s commitment to DEI, you might consider sourcing your catering, production, staffing, etc., from the many diverse supplier lists available across Canada. I encourage everyone to think beyond delivering just cupcakes.
What is the one piece of advice you give communications professionals when it comes to creating events that truly embody DEI?
Know your audience. This is paramount for almost every aspect of our lives, both inside and outside the office. Building an integrated communications plan with supporting events will be infinitely more successful and help lead to sustained business outcomes when the plans are created with a deep understanding and knowledge of what is important to the audiences with whom you’re engaging.
Diversity reflects your community, your environment and your customers – a sense of welcoming and belonging. By focusing on inclusion, and being inclusive, you’ll keep your audiences (including customers) coming back, time and time again.
Diverse Threads is an ongoing series that explores the journeys and stories of professional communicators who are actively working to embed diversity equity and inclusion best practices in their clients’ organizations. If you have a story you'd like to share, please email Toronto-sig@iabc.to and we’ll follow up. We welcome submissions from both PIC and IABC/Toronto members.
Want to blast the Canadian winter blues? Take a hike, eh!
By Adrienne Jackson, ABC
Fun fact: People who spend at least two hours per week in nature report significantly better health and wellbeing.
Thanks to the month’s short days, post-holiday doldrums and frosty temps, January is often considered the most depressing month. How to beat those blues and turn that frozen frown upside down? Just let nature warm your soul.
In a joint webinar PIC hosted with IABC’s Consultants Shared Interest Group on January 22, Monique Giroux – former banker turned certified forest therapy guide and founder of Flourish with Monique – shared the tried-and-true benefits of connecting with nature, including reduced risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Fun fact: In Canada, time in nature can be prescribed by your doctor! It’s known as PaRx, A Prescription for Nature.
In 2019, Monique traded her corporate boots for hiking ones, in search of a life she didn’t need a vacation from – and found it in the forest. Monique introduced us to Shinrin-Roku, or forest bathing in Japanese. This evidence-based therapy reduces stress, improves mood and strengthens our immune system. For Monique, it was key to replacing anxiety with peace of mind.
So how do we “tree-lax”? Unhurried and physically undemanding, a certified forest therapy session is usually a two- to three-hour guided walk in nature featuring sensory-based activities to slow down, explore and connect with our surroundings. It closes with a tea ceremony.
A mandala, which is Sanskrit for “circle” or “discoid object,” is a geometric design that holds a great deal of symbolism in Hindu and Buddhist cultures. This one is from Monique’s Instagram.
Sensory-based practices can include:
- A sit spot. For example, on a guided walk or on your own, designate a sit spot and simply pause and sit for as little as 10 minutes. What can you see, hear, touch, smell, taste?
- Gratitude mandalas. Handling natural elements like plants and stones triggers the release of serotonin, the “feel good” chemical, and we all need more of that. Create your own mandala like the one above with found materials (kids love this, by the way!).
- Grounding/earthing. Did you know walking barefoot on grass can reduce inflammation?
- Meeting with a tree to deepen our nature connection. Allow a tree to draw you in, mindfully breathe in the oxygen it produces, then breathe it back out to the tree. At the end, express your gratitude.
Fun fact: Phytoncides, aka wood essential oils, can improve immune function by activating tumor-killing cells. The forest truly is medicine!
Does the thought of going outside in winter give you cold feet? Happily, you don’t have to leave home to experience nature’s healing power. In this virtual session, Monique guided us through a 20-minute grounding practice followed by a “noticing” exercise, inviting us to become super present to our surroundings. Afterwards, the group shared feelings of peace, community, gratefulness and heightened connection with self.
So, while being outside in nature is ideal, you can also sit by a window or slowly walk around your home noticing natural materials or bring some outdoor finds in to hold and smell. Just having pictures of nature scenes indoors has been shown to lift the spirit.
I personally discovered forest bathing during the pandemic and practice an almost daily sit spot. No matter the weather, just a few minutes on my balcony immersed in Austrian pines and Norway maples grounds me, steadying me for whatever the day brings.
Want to learn more about connecting more deeply with nature to improve your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being through forest bathing? Contact Monique or learn more in her book, Lost Intentionally. And if you missed the webinar, watch for the recording.
Welcome new member
Anne Greenwood (she/her)
Toronto | Anne Greenwood Communications | LinkedIn | anne.s.greenwood@gmail.com
Anne Greenwood is a communications consultant working with mission-driven organizations to shape the stories that drive meaningful change in our world. She offers additional strategic capacity to non-profit communications teams and leaders so they can provide mission-critical value and get out of the vicious cycle of churn. Anne works collaboratively to develop high-impact communications that influence decision-makers, build trust and centre voices closest to the issue.
March 26: Get ready to delight and wow clients on Zoom
Strong client relationships and a polished virtual presence can set you apart in today’s fast-paced, digital-first world. Join us on Zoom at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, to learn the art of client connection and virtual professionalism that will help you build long-term client relationships.
Melody Gaukel, Senior Vice President, Proof Strategies, will discuss how her firm builds client loyalty through creative client relations.
Following that discussion, PIC member Kathryn Hollinrake, President of Kathryn Hollinrake Photography, will present tips to maximize your professional presence on Zoom meetings.
Fees are $15 ($16.95 with HST) for PIC and other IABC/Toronto members, or $30 ($33.90 with HST) for non-members.
See you on social media!
Build and strengthen your connections, advance your business and network with other PIC members on social media. In case you missed them, recent posts shared on our social media channels include these:
The theme for Black History Month 2025 in Canada is “Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations.” This theme acknowledges the diversity of Black Canadians, the importance of Black leadership and the legacy being built for future generations.
Learn more about the legacy and impact of organizations led by Black women in Canada.
10 books to understand Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy today, from Penguin Random House.
Who we are
Professional Independent Communicators (PIC) is a special interest group of IABC/Toronto. PIC’s mission is to support independent IABC/Toronto communicators through professional development, networking and marketing. The Buzz informs members about upcoming events, shares professional development tips from past meetings and keeps us connected.
IABC connects communicators from around the world with the insights, resources and people they need to drive their careers and their professions forward.
Editor: Sue Horner, SCMP
Executive team
Chair: Andrea Walasek | Past Chair: Marie-Lauren Gregoire Drummond, SCMP | Membership: Kathryn Hollinrake | Communications & Social Media: Brent Artemchuk, Sue Horner, SCMP | Programming: Catharine Heddle, Trish Tervit