Veleisa Burrell

ColorComm’s origin story is of a luncheon bringing together Black and brown women in media and communications that became a community, spawning annual conferences, a global network of chapters and a business. It has a way of seeping into your soul – an incredibly energizing experience in the moment, but also something that sticks with you and leaves a lasting impact on how you move through your day.

As we come up on the end of the 2021 Women’s History Month, it’s clear that this year is different from any previous observance. The upside—the United States now has the first Black and Asian-American woman in the second-highest position of political power, Vice President (formerly Senator) Kamala Harris. Seeing her stride across stages and tarmacs—in her signature Chuck Taylor sneakers or sensible heels—has been a powerful sight to behold, no matter your politics.

During the “DEI for Media Relations” discussion we hosted earlier this month, a panel of communications professionals discussed the definitions, relevance and revenue related to DEI in media relations. As the leaders shared their thoughts and experience, it quickly became clear that storytelling is at the heart of the work they do as counselors and strategists.