Top Black PR professionals honored in Los Angeles

Pat Tobin was an exceptional leader in the public relations field and a co-founder of the National Black Public Relations Society. So it’s not surprising that her home chapter (BPRS-LA) created the annual Pat Tobin PR Excellence Awards as a tribute to her legacy. 2016 was the third annual event and the Sofitel Hotel in Beverly Hills was the perfect venue to honor several legends in their own right. TV personality, director and producer Tanika Ray hosted the event, which was sponsored by CBS Entertainment division, Toyota, Business Wire, Nakeah Cosmetics, WGN and The Boisset Collection.

This year’s honorees included:

1. Marketing and communications professional Monica Bouldin, who has worked with many national brands, including Nestle, Ford, LG Phones, Sony Consumer products and others, currently executive vice president with Hill-Knowlton Strategies.
2. Anna Fuson has helped launch and promote over 100 movies and TV shows during her career, including Malcolm X and Passenger 57, and more recently the TV blockbusters “Empire” and “Power.” She’s currently CEO of Red Sea Entertainment.
3. Arnold Robinson, whose clients include Quincy Jones, Eddie Murphy, Kevin Costner, André 3000, Wesley Snipes, Luke Perry (who attended the event to support him) and many more; he’s currently VP at Rogers & Cowan where he’s been since 1993.
4. Allison Queen, who got her start in PR during the time of the Rodney King riots, currently is president and CEO of Queen Publicity.

There was also a tribute to Jim Colon, who recently announced his retirement from Toyota where he had an amazingly influential career as VP of African American business strategy.

BPRS-LA is led by its president, Shawn Turner; VP Ayanna Henderson; and secretary Rachael Golding with support from Strategic Alliances co-chairs Abby Harris and Jessica Pipkins; membership chair Brandi Redick; student relations chair Daniella Masterson; and PR/marketing and social media chair KimiRhochelle Porter. The organization focuses on increasing opportunities for career growth and development while fostering diversity throughout the communications industry. For more info, visit bprsla.org.

Enjoy the photos from the event.