In our final conversation to celebrate Black History Month, we spoke to the inspiring Barbara Phillips, Director of Brownstone Communications and Chair of the Race and Ethnicity Equity Board at PRCA. We explored with her how far the PR industry has come on the road road to equality and how far we still have to go.
Do you think the industry has a diversity problem?
I think it goes further than diversity and protected characteristics. I think the problem is actual bone-fide racism. Racism is a very ugly word which would explain why it has to date been avoided at all costs. But if PR and comms industry leaders (who are master problem-solvers), want to bring about change, then we need to deal with the problem of race.
What steps do you think we need to take to make the industry more diverse?
I think this a huge and broad question that cannot really be addressed in this forum without diminishing its complexity. But I do urge everyone to look at the REEB terms of reference where we outline our goals for the industry. REEB are focused on race, we believe this is the most pressing aspect of diversity that should be given the most time and resource alongside the other diversity characteristics.
Do you think brands should be talking about the importance of racial diversity and if so what are the best ways to address the topic?
I think brands that talk about racial diversity should personify their intent through their executive board membership. Throwing up a few black and brown faces in recruitment materials only goes so far. Even I have fallen for that one only to have a brutally rude awakening once inside the firm. If the seats of power are still all white and likely male, then all discussions should be internal and focused on correcting their unsustainable operating models. We see through the lip service.
If you could sum up the reasons behind your success in a few sentences what would they be?
Success is subjective first of all. And I decided quite a number of years ago that I was going to be myself. I did actually bring my ‘whole self ‘ to work. My barometer of success since then has been being paid to do a job I love as ‘brand Barbara‘. So my thought processes and ways of working between home and work are identical and I don’t waste energy having a work and home persona. I have also been the first black person in a team or even organisation countless times. And I suspect I was an acceptable face of racial diversity. I’m educated, experienced and not too loud/flashy and don’t seem angry (both rotten stereotypes). But when the microaggressions start (as they always do) I am also fairly plain speaking (I’ll admit to even being strident on occasion) and don’t shy away from having difficult conversations. They haven’t always ended well but that’s the price we pay for being ‘black at work’.
What has been the biggest setback in your career and how did you overcome it?
Two things. I am from a plain speaking Caribbean family and was taught very early on that irrespective of how we are treated, White people aren’t any better than black and brown people and we are all human. Also that I’ll have to work three or four times harder and achieve that many times more to get to the starting line with my white and sometimes Asian counterparts. That being the case, if I am employed, there is really no need for me to bow down and kiss the ring and grovel, just because it makes my line manager feel good about themselves. So as you can imagine, a confident, articulate proud to be black woman who doesn’t see the need to grovel to get on and expects to be recognised and promoted on merit, was and still is a fairly huge setback.
Can you recommend any schemes, programmes for young Black women trying to enter the industry?
Thankfully there are a number of mentoring schemes especially for women of colour, BME PR Pros for example. Also there Is the Taylor Bennet Foundation. There are also a few good recruitment consultancies, BAME Recruitment is one. It’s worth researching social media (LinkedIn especially) and network where you can. Black people already in positions to help generally do. At the very least, find a senior comms professional to mentor you. I think it’s also important to read about current affairs and be articulate enough about to talk about commerce in general. PR and comms requires sector and organisation knowledge and you can’t be a custodian of both its culture and reputation without them.
What would be your advice to young females keen to enter the industry?
I’d personally wait to see if there is some movement on the race problem , or join an organisation that demonstrably (rather than performatively) champions racial justice.
