A recent Diversity Action Alliance (DAA) study found only 21% of PR and communication roles across organisations have people from diverse backgrounds.
The study found that most PR professionals across all organisations and positions are white, with only 21% of employees reporting a diverse heritage or ethnic identity. Similarly, 93% of leadership roles are occupied by people from a white background, while Black/African Americans represent only 6% and 1% being Hispanic/Latino.
Administrative and support function roles show higher diversity than leadership roles, with 17% of administrative roles across organisations were to be Black/African Americans, 14% being Hispanic/Latino, 7% being Asian, and only 1% being Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.
The study found that the jump from low-level or mid-level positions to upper-level management is a common roadblock for diverse employees. Though PR organisations still lack diversity, only 24% said they have a chief diversity officer.
[2 minute read]
