PRSA Georgia: Strategic Communications Leadership for Interacting Respectfully with LGBTQ+ Colleagues and Customers

Leading up to International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, a panel of LGBTQ+ leaders in Atlanta are sharing their experiences and perspectives to provide PRSA Georgia members and guests with authentic ways to join the conversation – personally and professionally.

In addition to the respectful use of gender-neutral pronouns, strategic communicators know the profound impact words and messages have on individuals, groups, and our society. Representing the future of communications, it is the responsibility of public relations practitioners to make sure brand campaigns recognize and regard multicultural and LGBTQ views.

In this session, our panel will share:

• How to advocate for an inclusive and equitable business environment and drive meaningful community connections.
• Where to gain knowledge about how to interact respectfully.
• What are the best practices that fuel the fully inclusive environment?
• What steps to take to ensure you and your organization are ready to have courageous conversations about trans people.

Our March monthly webinar is one panel discussion that may be starting or could be continuing the conversation for you and your company. Join in with the dialogue and continue the journey.

Panelists: 

Chris Lugo (he/him/his), Executive Director, OUT Georgia Business Alliance

Chris Lugo is proudly serving as Georgia’s only LGBTQ+ and Allied Chamber of Commerce. In this role, Lugo is charged with leading the nonprofit chamber’s focus on serving the LGBTQ+ and allied business community by advocating for the most inclusive and equitable business environment; providing support and resources to fuel economic growth; and driving meaningful community connections and impact across the State of Georgia.

Lugo is honored to serve on the City of Atlanta Mayor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board alongside fellow corporate, nonprofit, and community leaders, and he is co-chair of its Economic and Community Development Committee. He is also a member of Cobb Chamber’s Diversity and Inclusion Council and the LGBTQIAP Advisory Council led by Dr. Sheila Gregory of Clark Atlanta University for a special research project identifying strategies to improve access to resources for LGBTQIAP students of color.

Gabrielle Claiborne she/her/hers), Co-Founder and CEO, Transformation Journeys Worldwide

Gabrielle Claiborne has been an out and active trans woman since 2010. Prior to her transition, she owned and operated successful businesses in the construction industry, overseeing multi-million dollar projects nationwide. Today, she is a highly respected trans business owner who was honored by the Atlanta Business Chronicle with their 2019 Outstanding Voice for Diversity and Inclusion Award. In 2015, Gabrielle was recognized as Atlanta’s Best Trans Activist. In 2018, she received Emory University’s Alum of the Year Pride Award and was chosen by the Georgia Division of the U.S. Small Business Administration as their LGBT Small Business Champion of the Year.

Gabrielle is a TEDx and keynote speaker, a dynamic trainer, and a recognized community leader. She served on the Atlanta PRIDE Board of Directors for five years, sits on the City of Atlanta’s LGBTQ Advisory Board, and the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce’s (NGLCC) Transgender Inclusion Task Force and serves as the Board Inclusion Chair for the OUT Georgia Business Alliance. Gabrielle was also elected to the Executive Board at City of Light Atlanta, directed their choir, and founded and led the church’s trans support group.

Roy Broderick, Jr (he/him/his), President & CEO, Authentique Agency

Roy Broderick, Jr., Founder, and CEO of the Authentique Agency, a marketing agency headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia that specializes in brand development and marketing strategy. Clients have included AT&T, Coca-Cola, and the National Museum of African American Music. Through his Firm, Roy is determined to leave his mark on the marketing world by elevating how multicultural audiences are targeted and creating opportunities to serve to make his community better. From starting strong early in his career with posts at MTV Networks, VH1 Networks, and Turner Entertainment Networks, to leading strategic campaign development and execution on the agency side of the business for Columbia Pictures, Marvel Entertainment, Screen Gems, and Tyler Perry Studios, Roy’s industry-savvy, astute business acumen, and powerful Rolodex are the fruition of a five-star foundation in the game.

In 2016, Roy launched The Authentique Agency – a marketing agency designed to blend two of his passions: positioning LGBTQ and multicultural audiences as an integral component of the brand’s marketing strategy and curating go-to-market plans that create an authentic connection to both audiences. Lauded by Black Enterprise magazine as a “young marketing genius”, Roy and the Authentique’s team’s work includes working with brands like AT&T, Instagram, The Dallas Mavericks and successfully serving as the Agency of Record for the $90 million National Museum of African American Music. From large brands to Atlanta-based SMBs like K. Botchey, ZuCot Gallery, and JJ Just Move, Authentique has quickly developed a reputation for delivering superior results.

Since launching Authentique, Roy travels the country sharing thought leadership on avoiding tone-deaf multicultural marketing and the business impact awaiting brands that choose to align with the spending power of this emerging audience. In his spare time, he serves as the Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the Atlanta Chapter of the American Marketing Association, Immediate Past President of the Association of Black Alumni for the University of Florida, an ambassador for OUT Georgia Business Alliance and a board member for Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company.

Please Note:

• Member pricing: $15; Nonmember pricing: $20
• After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
• Commitment concerns? If you’re not available to join the panel discussion live, please do not worry. Register today to receive the webinar recording on-demand – available for 30 days after the event. *** Registration will remain open through March 31 for those of you who are fashionably late to the registration party and would like to receive the recording link.