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TLF Participates in USC's Bi-Annual Diversity Networking Event February 3, 2012 Written by: Elias Jabbe The LAGRANT Foundation reached out to students at the University of Southern California’s Spring 2012 Diversity Networking Mixer in the university’s Career Planning & Placement Career Lounge on January 31st. The event, part of the university’s week-long annual Career Fest gave Trojans a chance to learn about career resources from TLF and career opportunities with organizations such as The Walt Disney Company, Nestle and Target.
After a welcome from USC Career Center Executive Director and Associate Dean for Student Affairs Carl Martellino, Trojans enjoyed dinner and the opportunity to discover resources offered by TLF and other organizations across Southern California. A large variety of majors were represented, including students at the Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, who were able to find out about The LAGRANT Foundation’s 2012-2013 scholarships and upcoming Career Development Workshops at the Los Angles offices of Public Relations firms MWW Group and Burson-Marsteller. TLF Advisory Board Member Elias Jabbe also provided information to students regarding TLF’s Harold Burson Fellowship Program and internship placement services. According to the USC Career Center staff, which provides information to students on campus and via Facebook and Twitter, the Diversity Networking Mixer happens twice a year and will be repeated during the Fall 2012 semester.
As the 2010 United States census illustrated, the U.S. is becoming more culturally diverse than it has ever been. Organizations such as the aforementioned who have established diversity as a priority are gaining a competitive advantage in regards to being able to connect with and gain the support of the increasingly diverse American public.
 RECAP: Career Development Workshop at Macy's NYC TLF Career Development Workshops sponsored by FedEx January 27, 2012 The LAGRANT Foundation partnered with Macy's in New York City to host a career development workshop for students on Friday, January 27, 2012. Pictured above, many students took advantage of this opportunity to learn more about Macy's and networking opportunities.  Pictured above, Brandon Carter, Manager of College Relations and Diversity Initiatives at Macy's, provided students with great insight about his role at Macy's and starting a career in the corporate communications industry. Thank you Macy's for hosting the workshop and making it a success! TLF 2011 Scholarship Winners Tell Their Story
January 26, 2012 TLF collaborated with the 2011 scholarship recipient winners to tell their story about how being a TLF scholarship recipient has impacted their lives academically and professionally, and why students should apply. Check out TLF's YouTube website and listen to Jerry Bruno, a public relations major at University of Florida's tell his story by clicking here.  RECAP: Fundraising opportunity at Bloomingdale's in New York City January 18, 2012 The LAGRANT Foundation partnered with Bloomingdale's in New York City to host "The LAGRANT Foundation Shopping Day at Bloomingdale's" fundraiser on Wednesday, January 18, 2012. Shoppers made their way through The Women's Ready to Wear and Men's departments to shop in support of the Foundation. Pictured above from left to right, De Juan V. Wilson, Brand Director for Apparel & Premium Footwear of Converse, Andrena Andrews, Licensing Manager of Converse Kid's and Terri Hines, Vice President of Global PR & Communications of Converse did their part to help TLF along with Kim L. Hunter, Founder/Chairman of The LAGRANT Foundation (far right). Thank you to everyone who came and shopped to support TLF! THE LAGRANT FOUNDATION ESTABLISHES ADVISORY BOARD
January 5, 2012 The LAGRANT Foundation (TLF) is proud to establish its advisory board, which is comprised of a select group of individuals who are committed to the Foundation. The members are industry professionals who will help TLF continue to achieve its mission of increasing the number of ethnic minorities in the fields of advertising, marketing and public relations. The newly-established advisory board will work to further program development, increase awareness of TLF, act as ambassadors for TLF and advise in various areas of fund development. With the help of committed individuals such as the TLF board of directors and the advisory board, the Foundation is able to run its programs and continue to provide resources to ethnic minority college students. Thanks to the commitment of the advisory board, TLF can continue to foster multicultural talent in the fields of advertising, marketing and public relations. The following individuals are those who form The LAGRANT Foundation Advisory Board: Brian Batchelder, Director of Recruiting, Fleishman-Hillard Brandi Boatner, External Relations, IBM Mogoldi Bond, Managing Director, Burson-Marsteller Steven Bram, Associate, GolinHarris Levar Burke, Executive Assistant to the Dean, Medgar Evers College Adriana Castillo, Associate Manager, Human Resources, Ketchum Maryann DeTrizio, Director, Public Affairs & Communications, American Express Gina Esparza, SVP, Communications & Marketing, American Heart Association Lori Gage, Senior Manager, Community Relations, Hitachi, Ltd. Mildred Galvin, SVP & Partner, Fleishman-Hillard Christina Hardy, Integrated Marketing Coordinator, Essence Vita Harris, Chief Strategy Officer, Draftfcb Elias Jabbe, Founder & Editor, Multicultural Matters Maya Kalkay, Director of Human Resources, Burson-Marsteller Jessica Lee, VP, Talente Acquisition, APCO Worldwide Rob Longert, Senior Digital Media Strategist, M. Booth & Associates Melissa Lopez, Web Manager / Media Specialist, Conveyor Group David Miller, Director of Human Resources, GCI Health & Axicom Sergio Morales, SVP, Hill + Knowlton Strategies Sara Morgan, Marketing Director, WERS 88.9 FM, Emerson College Dorie Overby, HR Generalist, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide Clara Potes-Fellow, Director, Media Relations The California State Universty Office of the Chancellor Jeremy Rawitch, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, Edison International Raul Reis, Dean of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Florida International University Clinton Schaff, Director, Digital, GolinHarris Jessica Shih, External Relations Manager, Wella Professionals, P&G Bjorn Trowery, Senior Account Executive, Edelman Keisha Vaugh, Senior Director of Leadership Development and Diversity & Inclusion, Draftfcb Alan Weatherbee, Vice President, Human Resources, Cone The Council of PR Firms and PRWeek announce Diversity Distinction awards
December 12, 2011 The LAGRANT Foundation would like to congratulate the winners of the inaugural Diversity Distinction in PR Awards granted by The Council of Public Relations Firms and PRWEEK. The LAGRANT Foundation’s Founder/Chairman Mr. Kim L. Hunter won the Diversity Champion award and PR firms APCO Worldwide and Porter Novelli were chosen for the Public Relations Firm Diversity Initiative and Best PR Firm Community Initiative award, respectively. More information on these awards has been provided by the Council of Public Relations Firms and can be read below or on their website. Below is the press release from The Council of Public Relations Firms. The Council of Public Relations Firms, and PRWeek announced the winners of the inaugural Diversity Distinction in PR Awards. The awards, sponsored by the Council of Public Relations Firms in association with PRWeek, honor excellence in leadership and promoting ethnic diversity within the public relations sector. Winners were recognized in three award categories: Best PR Firm Diversity Initiative, Best PR Firm Community Initiative and Diversity Champion. Best Public Relations Firm Diversity Initiative The judges also commended the efforts of Porter Novelli and Mitchell Communications in this category. Best PR Firm Community Initiative The Judges also commended the efforts of GolinHarris and Edelman in this category. Diversity Champion The judges also commended Bill Imada, IW Group chairman and CEO, and Rosanna Fiske, PRSA chair and CEO. “All of the winners, as well as the dozens of other worthy candidates who submitted entries, will both inspire and inform our industry,” said Kathy Cripps, president of the Council of Public Relations Firms. “These awards are a great showcase of PR professionals from diverse backgrounds as well as those who have encouraged and strengthened diversity across the public relations workforce.” “We were delighted with the response to the inaugural Diversity Distinction in PR Awards and the winners lay down a marker that sets the standard for future years,” said Steve Barrett, PRWeek Editor in Chief. “At PRWeek, we very much hope the awards will become a regular fixture in the PR calendar – until such time as they are no longer needed.” The awards judges included: David Albritton, Chief Communications Officer, ITT Exelis; Shannelle Armstrong, director of public relations, Sears Holdings; Jaya Bohlmann, consultant; Carol Evans, president, Working Mother Media and CEO, Diversity Best Practices; Kim Hunter, president and CEO, Lagrant Communications, Chairman, Lagrant Foundation; Richard Jones, SVP, Chief Communications Officer, The Guardian Life Insurance Co., and Katie McBride, executive director of GM Community Connections. The Diversity Distinction in PR Awards was open to US-based communications firms of all sizes and their employees. Nominees were accepted from both in-house communications professionals and firms themselves. Read more about the winners and the judging committee in the December 1, 2011 issue of PRWeek and on PRWeekus.com. The Council of Public Relations Firms is comprised of America’s leading public relations firms. Its membership represents the premier global, mid-size, regional and specialty agencies across every discipline and practice area. The Council’s mission is to advocate for and advance the business of public relations firms by building the market and the value of firms as strategic business partners. For more information about the Council, visit www.prfirms.org. NYU graduate student selected as inaugural Harold Burson Fellow December 12, 2011  The LAGRANT Foundation congratulates New York University graduate student Danielle Chase on being selected as the first Harold Burson Fellow. Danielle plans to apply her goal of using the media to send positive messages to media consumers, especially to youth. The Fellowship was made possible through a generous personal donation from Mr. Harold Burson, Founding Chairman of global Public Relations firm Burson-Marsteller. Mr. Burson will be donating $50,000 in total to The LAGRANT Foundation in order to continue the implementation of the Fellowship Program through 2015. Danielle is motivated to apply the hands-on experience she gains at Burson-Marsteller to send messages that encourage education and good ethics. After having spent several years as an elementary school teacher in New York City as a part of Teach For America, Danielle has realized how communications can play a huge role in spreading messages with substance. Danielle is expected to graduate in May 2013 with a Master of Science in Public Relations & Corporate Communications from NYU’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies. The educational concepts she learns combined with the chance to apply them as a Harold Burson Fellow will surely equip her with the skills needed to become a prominent 21st century public relations professional. Congratulations Danielle! Harold Burson Fellowship Program - Deadline EXTENDED to October 31! October 19, 2011 The application deadline for the Harold Burson Fellowship Program has been extended to Monday, October 31. This opportunity is open to all ethnic minority graduating seniors, graduate students and recent graduates who are interested in pursuing a career in public relations. Please email erickaavila@lagrant.com or katiealvarez@lagrant.com for an application! 2011 Scholarship Winners Announced! May 13, 2011 The LAGRANT Foundation (TLF) has selected the 2011 scholarship recipients and will be awarding a total of $135,000 in scholarships at the 13th Anniversary Scholarship Recognition Reception and Awards Program on Monday, May 23. A total of 20 students from across the U.S. were selected to receive this scholarship. The recipients are all ethnic minority undergraduate and graduate students, who are pursuing degrees in advertising, marketing or public relations. This year, 13 undergraduates students will be awarded a $5,000 scholarship and 7 graduate students will be awarded a $10,000 scholarship. Within the past 13 years, The LAGRANT Foundation has awarded $1.16 million to 162 undergraduate and graduate ethnic minority students nationwide. The following are the 2011 undergraduate scholarship recipients:
The following are the 2011 graduate scholarship recipients:
Founding chairman of Burson-Marsteller, Harold Burson will be the keynote speaker and the master of ceremonies will be CNN National Correspondent, Jason Carroll. As a part of the scholarship award, students will receive a welcome dinner, Sunday May 22, hosted by Waggener Edstrom Worldwide where Pam Edstrom, President of the Microsoft Account Worldwide and Agency Founder will be the keynote speaker. The students will also participate in a daylong career development hosted by Constituency Management Group, where they will interact with industry professionals. TLF thanks the committed board of directors and donors, whose support continues to help TLF achieve its goal of increasing ethnic minorities in advertising, marketing and public relations. Harold Burson Donates $50,000 to The LAGRANT Foundation to Establish the Harold Burson Fellowship Program April 15, 2011 Harold Burson, founding chairman of Burson-Marsteller, personally donates $50,000 to The LAGRANT Foundation (TLF). The total donation amount will be distributed over the course of five years, from 2011 to 2015, with a donation of $10,000 per year. With this personal contribution, TLF will create the “Harold Burson Fellowship Program.” The Program will highlight Burson’s achievements and contributions in public relations while simultaneously developing future leaders in the industry. “I am strongly committed to diversity and I am happy to partner with The LAGRANT Foundation to encourage young people from diverse ethnic backgrounds to begin careers in public relations and make the industry as representative of society as possible,” said Burson, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday in March. This is a four-week program in which one graduate student is selected to participate. The program will take place in New York City with lodging accommodations and air travel provided (if the participant is not currently living in New York City). During the four weeks, the student will dedicate eight hours a day, Monday through Friday, to the program with assignments to complete each week. The intent is to be in all of the top markets such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC, San Francisco, Atlanta and Dallas in the coming years. Activities will include visits to public relations firms, corporations, and media companies as well as meetings with key public relations executives. The purpose of the visits is for the student to learn how each company operates and to meet with employees and executives. At the end of their fellowship, the student will submit a final presentation of what was learned and complete an evaluation form. The student will then be featured in TLF’s annual newsletter, e-newsletter and website. “Because of people like Harold Burson, TLF is able to diversify an industry that he and I are both so passionate about. He is truly an inspiration to aspiring public relations professionals everywhere and I cannot thank him enough for supporting TLF and for supporting my dream,” said TLF Founder/Chairman, Kim Hunter. Harold Burson has agreed to serve as the keynote speaker for The LAGRANT Foundation's 13th Anniversary Scholarship Reception and Awards Program where he will be recognized for this contribution to the Foundation. The event will be held on May 23, 2011 in New York City. Burson-Marsteller has been a key supporter of The LAGRANT Foundation, donating at least $5,000 for more than three years and hosting career development workshops for students in the New York City, Miami and San Francisco offices. Additionally, Patrick Ford, Burson-Marsteller’s current CEO for the North America region, served as a member of the Host Committee for TLF’s Scholarship Recognition Reception and Awards Program in 2008, 2010 and is also on the 2011 Host Committee. TLF is proud and honored to be a beneficiary of a pioneer and innovator in the public relations industry, Burson’s support throughout the years has certainly advanced TLF’s mission. And his participation in a TLF career development workshop several years ago was one to remember and has been deemed a long-time TLF favorite. Thanks to Burson’s commitment, TLF continues to strive toward achieving its mission of increasing ethnic minorities in advertising, marketing and public relations. POST Ericka Avila Promoted to Senior Programs & Outreach Manager January 10, 2011 Ericka Avila has been promoted to Senior Programs & Outreach Manager, effective immediately. In her new role, Avila will work to increase the Foundation’s outreach efforts and expand its programs. Avila’s pivotal outreach plan includes creating partnerships with scholarship organizations like United Negro College Fund, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, and American Indian College Fund; and developing strong relationships with trade organizations like Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), Hispanic Public Relations Association, and the National Black Public Relations Society. Avila plans to expand TLF programs by increasing the number of applicants for the annual scholarship program by targeting colleges with diverse student bodies like the California State Universities and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). She will also organize more career development workshops nationwide. In 2010, there were more career development workshops than ever before in the history of the Foundation and Avila plans to stretch this program further. Ericka Avila has been TLF’s programs manager for the past four years. She has been responsible for running the Foundation’s internship programs, connecting students to internship and employment opportunities, scholarship programs, career development workshops and hands-on planning, coordinating and promotion of the annual scholarship recognition reception and awards program. In recognition for her accomplishments, Avila was recently named 2010 Employee of the Year. “Ericka is very passionate about TLF’s mission and is a great ambassador of the Foundation; she is truly deserving of this promotion,” said TLF Founder/Chairman, Kim Hunter. Avila has developed a passion for the work of TLF and has supported many young college students in beginning a career in their field of interest. Avila is wholeheartedly dedicated to her role in increasing the number of ethnic minorities in advertising, marketing and public relations. Thanks to Avila’s commitment, TLF continues to strive toward achieving its mission of increasing ethnic minorities in advertising, marketing and public relations. TLF congratulates Ericka Avila! POST Ericka Avila Named 2010 Employee of the Year! December 22nd, 2010 Congratulations to Programs Manager Ericka Avila for being named Employee of the Year 2010 by Founder/Chairman, Kim L. Hunter. Every year this award is presented to someone within LAGRANT COMMUNICATIONS and The LAGRANT Foundation. This award recognizes someone with a great attitude, skills in critical thinking, initiative, creativity, time management and listening skills. Above all, this award distinguishes an employee for excellent job performance, exceeding job requirements, and for minimizing stress for the Founder/Chairman. Ericka Avila has been TLF’s programs manager for close to four years. As programs manager, Ericka is responsible for running internship programs, connecting students to internship and employment opportunities, scholarship programs, career development workshops and hands-on planning, coordinating and promotion of events. Ericka began her relationship with TLF when she participated in the Executive Leadership Training Program at LAGRANT COMMUNICATIONS, an integrated marketing communications firm. She has since developed a passion for the work of TLF and has supported many young college students in beginning a career in their field of interest. Ericka is wholeheartedly dedicated to her role in increasing the number of ethnic minorities in advertising, marketing and public relations. Once again, congratulations Ericka for your accomplishments and an award well deserved! POST Kim L. Hunter Named 2010 Change Agent by ADCOLOR August 31, 2010 Kim L. Hunter has been recognized as the 2010 Change Agent of the year for his work as a catalyst in increasing minority representation in the advertising, marketing and public relations fields particularly through his work with The LAGRANT Foundation (TLF). He has been selected by the ADCOLOR Industry Coalition from an inspiring group of nominees to become a member of the ADCOLOR Class of 2010. Hunter will be recognized for his work and accomplishments in Miami Beach, Florida on November 7, 2010 at the 12th Annual Association of National Advertisers Multicultural Marketing & Diversity Conference. In addition, ADWEEK will include an interview with Kim L. Hunter in its issue for the week of November 1, 2010. “At the end of the day what’s important to me is to get ethnic minorities employed,” said Kim L. Hunter, Founder/Chairman of The LAGRANT Foundation. This directly helps the scarcity problem of minorities in the field. Since its establishment in 1998, TLF has awarded close to $1 million in scholarships to 170 ethnic minority students nationwide and provided in excess of 278 internships and full-time employment. Hunter is an advocate of education and diversity, serving as the Founder/Chairman of The LAGRANT Foundation, a nonprofit organization, which provides scholarships, internships, career development workshops, mentorship and educational enrichment programs to ethnic minority students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in advertising, marketing and public relations. Most importantly, TLF helps students break into the field with internships where students gain the knowledge, skills and experience that they need to be successful in these industries. “Congratulations [to] Kim on this well deserved recognition and all that [he’s] accomplished through [his] dedication to the Foundation,” said President and CEO of DDB Chicago and TLF Board Member, Rick Carpenter. Thanks to its committed board of directors and donors, TLF continues to strive toward achieving its mission of increasing ethnic minorities in advertising, marketing and public relations. |
