The Realities of Being a Black Woman in PR in the UK
Public Relations is a field built on perception, reputation and obviously trust. Those of us in the industry are constantly shaping stories, managing narratives and building brands which connect with audiences and stakeholders. Yet for many Black women in PR across the UK, the story behind the scenes is one of constant navigation, subtle erasure and invisible barriers. It's a profession that demands confidence, creativity and resilience but from my experience it doesn’t always allow for the full scope of this to be explored for Black women.
For some, being a Black woman in PR means knowing how to code-switch fluently and adapt without the spaces you enter adapting for you. I’ve heard of instances where women have spoken up with bold ideas only to watch them get reshaped and reattributed under someone else’s voice or being undermined and undervalued despite working hard to make an impact. Black women’s intellectual labour and strategic thinking sometimes go unacknowledged or completely ignored unless they reach a certain level of power and influence where their presence cannot be overlooked.
Despite an industry-wide commitment to diversity, it often feels like equity stalls at optics. After the summer of 2020, DEI statements and panels were abundant but how many of those efforts translated into sustained structural change? For many Black women in PR, it felt like being seen for a moment but not truly supported in a way that made them feel psychologically safe and respected. Invitations to speak might have increased for some but the unpaid requests also remained. Some of us were asked to share our pain and offer insight into systemic inequality while the systems themselves stayed the same.
The idea that Black professionals are “over-mentored and under-sponsored” rings particularly true in this space and it is particularly prevalent for initiatives which seek to support Black women in the industry. Mentorship can be powerful but without real sponsorship, people in positions of influence advocating for our advancement, it falls short. Black women in PR are often given encouragement but not investment. We're told to "keep pushing," rather than handed the resources or opportunities that allow us to leap forward.
Black PR professionals are often siloed into “diversity” or “multicultural” roles as if our expertise only matters in the context of race. The assumption that we’re only suited to speak on inclusion topics limits our careers and reinforces harmful stereotypes. Now don’t get me wrong, of course it’s important for us to speak up and speak out about issues of disenfranchisement (this piece is trying to do just that) but it’s important that it’s not the ONLY thing we are pulled into focus on. We also understand brand strategy, media relations, crisis comms and business development - our skills and talents are expansive.
It’s not all bad though, more Black women are launching their own agencies, shaping new models of inclusive leadership and demanding space and more Black women are rising through the ranks in-house or within agencies. Progress is happening and we are no longer waiting for permission to be valued. We’re building communities, amplifying each other’s work and reminding the industry that we exist even if it wants to ignore us.
If the PR industry in the UK is serious about progress, it must move beyond performative allyship. That means hiring Black women not just at junior levels but into positions of power. It means taking Black women’s businesses seriously. It means paying us what we’re worth, backing our visions and allowing us space to prosper and thrive.