2023 Inez Y. Kaiser GKC-PRSA Memorial Scholars Announced
Nine Scholars Named Since 2021
The Greater Kansas City Public Relations Society of America Chapter (GKC-PRSA) today announced the 2023 Inez Y. Kaiser GKC-PRSA Memorial Scholars are Serenity Mixon, a student at Texas State University; Jalen Barlow, a student at Kansas State University; and Hannah Gant, a student at the University of Kansas. Mixon is also president of the PRSSA chapter at Texas State University. The criteria for the award is a demonstration of Inez Kaiser’s commitment to leadership, public relations excellence and community volunteerism.
A total of nine scholars nationwide have been announced since the fund was launched in 2021. The 2022 scholars include Sirah Diallo, a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin; Ladazhia Taylor, a graduate of the University of Kansas; and MyAun Boyd, a senior at Evangel University. The inaugural 2021 scholars were Michael Lewis, a graduate of University of Central Missouri; Kori Brown, a graduate of Pittsburg State; and Naomi Madu, a graduate of the University of Kansas.
To demonstrate the national reach of Inez Kaiser, PRSA celebrated her during the 75th anniversary year. Kaiser is featured in PRSA’s limited edition coffee table book, “People, Places and Moments in Public Relations History.” The organization featured her image with other PR legends including Ivy Lee, Edward Bernays, C.T. Hews and Mable Flanley at the organization’s 75th Anniversary Opening Gala held November 13, 2023, in Grapevine,
Texas.
The 2023 Inez Kaiser GKC-PRSA Memorial Fund Advisory Board that judges and promotes the program includes Chair and Co-Founder Lea-Ann Germinder, APR, Fellow PRSA; Rick Kaiser, Vice Chair; Bridget Koan, GKC-PRSA President; Alex Miller, CoFounder; and board members Richlynn Kaiser Bailey; Anita Parran; Dean Kruckeberg, APR, Fellow PRSA; Naomi Madu; Grayson Gilbert; Sheba Clarke and Michael Grimaldi.
The GKC-PRSA chapter established the fund in 2021 with an initial pledge of $25,000 and has continued to donate to the fund. Corporate and individual donations continue to be accepted and are welcome here.
Additional Background on Inez Kaiser
Inez Y. Kaiser was a Kansas City pioneer, entrepreneur, and public relations business owner but she had a national reputation. She was the first Black woman in the nation to own a public relations firm with national clients. Her cookbook, “Soul Food Cookery,” that she promoted nationwide is in the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of African American Art & Culture. In 1966, she was the first Black woman to join the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
Inez Kaiser was born in Kansas City, Kansas in 1918. She graduated from Pittsburg State University, was an educator first but became a businesswoman and public relations professional of many other firsts. In 1957, she founded Inez Kaiser & Associates. In 1963, she was the first Black woman to establish a national public relations firm with national clients in a Commerce bank building in downtown Kansas City – unheard for a Black woman at the time. She soon had an impressive roster of local (e.g., Commerce Bank, J.E Dunn Construction, Hallmark) and national (e.g., Lever Brothers, Burger King, Sears) clients.
It was her passionate commitment to volunteerism that defined her. She established the Jackson County Chapter of the LINKS of which Vice President Kamala Harris is a prominent national member. She was an advisor to Presidents Nixon and Ford to help Black businesswomen but crossed the political aisle when as her son says, “she voted for Obama.”
Additional Background on GKC-PRSA
The Greater Kansas City PRSA chapter is a community of public relations and communications professionals across the Kansas City area, from recent college graduates to leaders of some of the largest firms, agencies, and non-profits. Our members represent nearly every practice area and professional and academic setting within the public relations field. In addition, we support students from across the Midwest who are members of their campus Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapters. We hold virtual and inperson events to enhance our professional growth. Our chapter also boasts signature events, such as our annual PRISM Awards gala honoring the year’s best in communications excellence. At GKC-PRSA our mission is to be the professional resource and advocate for Kansas City’s Communications professionals.
