New Books Network Cupid Jamila and Joell Myescha, "Who's in the Room? A Guide to Public Relations from the Black Professional Perspective" (Kendall Hunt, 2025)
Dec 20, 2025
Jamila Cupid, an assistant professor specializing in multicultural public relations, and Joell Myescha, a seasoned media strategist, delve into the unique challenges and triumphs of Black professionals in PR. They discuss the historical contributions of figures like Ida B. Wells and introduce the IDEA framework—Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access—as a roadmap for creating inclusive workplaces. They also tackle the mental health impacts of exclusion, advocate for mentorship in the field, and outline actionable strategies for organizations to promote diversity.
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PR Shapes Perception Not Sales
- Public relations manages how organizations are perceived by shaping reputation, trust, and long-term relationships.
- Jamila Cupid and Joell Myescha emphasize PR differs from marketing because it shapes sentiment rather than directly driving sales.
Black History Through A PR Lens
- Black leaders like Ida B. Wells and Bayard Rustin used PR strategies to advocate for civil rights and shape public opinion.
- Jamila Cupid shows Black PR work spans human rights, corporate PR, and public affairs yet has often been overlooked.
Recruit Broadly To Match Your Audience
- Cast a wide net when recruiting and hire talent reflecting diverse audiences to improve PR outcomes.
- Build structures and training so inclusion becomes organic rather than a performative add-on.