Meet your 2011-12 BPRS-DC Executive Board
President, Alana Hill (Twitter: @Lana_Jay)
Alana Hill is a Washington, DC-based public relations professional, writer and blogger. The Miami native has served as the 2010-2011 BPRS-DC VP of Programs and 2008-2009 board member of the Florida Public Relations Association. Hill has also volunteered for additional organizations, including the Black MBA Association of Washington, DC, where she organized a 2010 fundraiser for the
organization’s youth program.
Hill is currently an External Media Relations Professional for IBM. Prior to joining IBM, Hill served as public relations manager of American Public University System (APUS) and as the Assistant Director of Programs for the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). While at AAPD, Hill managed brand imaging, promotions, outreach strategies and day-to-day operations for AAPD’s national programs. Prior to joining AAPD, Hill served on the Public Relations team for the Florida Governor’s Alliance for the Employment of Citizens with Disabilities. There, Hill worked with Florida Legislators, community and business leaders throughout the state of Florida to expand diversity initiatives supporting people with disabilities.
Hill received her Bachelor’s of Science in Public Relations with honors from Florida A&M University where she served as President of the Public Relations Student Society and received the School of Journalism’s Student Leader of the Year Award upon graduation. In 2011, Hill was recognized as one of the top 30 African American professionals under the age of 30.
Past President, Dedra Owens (Twitter: @IDOPRINDC)
Dedra Owens is President and Founder of DOT Communications. With over 15 years of experience that includes delivering some of Washington DC’s most high profile special events, Ms. Owens has established a solid network with local and national media. Her reputation for producing highly effective campaigns within African American markets has made her a sought after advisor and speaker.
Prior to founding DOT Communications, Ms. Owens worked for UniWorld Group, Inc., the nation’s longest-standing full-service multicultural agency, and at Golin/Harris Communications, one of the nations leading public relations firms. A native of Louisville, KY, she is a graduate of Howard University and resides in Washington, DC.
DOT Communications’ client list represents numerous industries and includes from Fortune 500 corporations to private foundations. In addition, DOT’s clients cover some of the largest and most historic African American owned businesses and organizations in the United States. An abbreviated list of our clients includes: Black Entertainment Television (BET), Burger King, Jack and Jill of America, Inc., McDonalds Corporation and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE).
Parliamentarian, Michael Dutton (Twitter: @PRMichaelDutton)
Michael Dutton leads communications efforts for The Executive Leadership Council, an organization that strengthens the success, contributions and impact of African-American corporate business leaders. He is a Washington, DC-based public relations counselor with more than 30 years of
experience in corporate communications, marketing and broadcasting production. Most recently, he was vice president of the Corporate Communications Practice for the Walker Marchant Group, a minority woman-owned public relations agency.
Previously, Dutton directed Northeast Regional Communications for Fannie Mae. Prior to that, he was director of Tribal and Casino Public Relations for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut, owners of one of the world’s largest casinos, Foxwoods. At Otis Elevator Company, Dutton led a task force to develop the company’s international Intranet communications network for 69,000 employees operating in nearly 200 countries.
Dutton spent most of his career with IBM, where he produced corporate television and product advertising, organized recognition events and served as corporate spokesman on wide ranging issues including the company’s operations in South Africa, and trade and technology legislative issues. He began his professional career in radio and television production, working with WVEC-TV News in Hampton, Virginia. He worked in New York City with WCBS Newsradio 88, WRVR-FM, Central Brooklyn Model Cities Television Project at Brooklyn College, the Children’s Television Workshop, and the AT&T Corporate Closed-Circuit Television network.
Dutton earned his bachelors degree in Mass Media Arts from Hampton University in Virginia, and MS degree at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in the City of New York.
Treasurer, Chris Epps
Christopher Epps leads coordination, planning and logistics for all special projects, videos, tapings and interviews for America’s Promise Alliance (the Alliance). Founded in 1997 by General Colin Powell, USA (Ret.) and currently chaired by his wife Alma, America’s Promise is the nation’s largest partnership alliance comprising corporations, nonprofit organizations, foundations, policymakers, advocacy and faith-based groups committed to ensuring that young people receive the fundamental resources—the Five Promises—they need to lead successful, healthy and productive lives and build a stronger society. In November of last year, in partnership with the U.S. Dept. of Education, Epps devised communications strategy and oversaw public relations for the Dropout Progress report detailing the national high school dropout crisis. To date, the report has received more than 300 million media impressions. As a member of the communications and marketing team, Epps serves as the
creative director for all video projects and develops collateral materials, message frames and talking points for Alliance leadership. In addition, he assists his team in organizing and implementing special events, press conferences and outreach campaigns.
Prior to joining the Alliance, Epps was a consultant at Reingold, Inc., a strategic communications and marketing firm based in Washington, DC. Epps has held marketing and public relations positions with Physicians for Peace, a medical education and aid nonprofit headquartered in Norfolk, Va., and the National Housing Partnership Foundation in Washington, DC. He also works as a freelance writer for organizations in the DC area and a start-up video and film production company in Virginia Beach, Va.
Epps earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and communications from Hampton University
located in Hampton, Va. In 2011, Epps was recognized as one of the top 30 African American
professionals under the age of 30.
New Media Director, Victoria Holmes (Twitter: @DigiCommGal)
Victoria Holmes, a native of metro Detroit, is a digital communications specialist and public relations professional. With nearly 10 years experience in public relations and marketing, Holmes now specializes in digital strategy, social media and web visibility management for federal government and nonprofit sectors.
Currently, Holmes is a New Media Specialist for U.S. Department of Defense contractor Armed Forces Services Corporation (AFSC) based in Arlington, VA. Previously, she launched a social media initiative for the Office for Civil Rights within the U.S. Department of Education and led marketing and logistics for Georgetown University’s diversity initiative, A Different Dialogue.
Prior to that, she led all media, marketing, and communications efforts for Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, an internationally acclaimed youth development nonprofit. She has also held positions at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Michigan Chapter and pushtwentytwo, an advertising agency. Additionally, Holmes is a communications consultant at large in the metro Detroit and DC markets. She has been published in nine publications as a freelance writer, and since 2010, Holmes has volunteered as the New Media Director for the Black Public Relations Society of Washington, DC (BPRS-DC).
Holmes earned a bachelors of arts degree in Journalism from Michigan State University, and a masters in professional studies from Georgetown University in Public Relations/Digital Communications.
Membership Chair, Natalie Dean
As senior account executive on the Edelman Multicultural team, Natalie Dean specializes in engaging and mobilizing African-American, Hispanic and other diverse communities around an issue, cause or agenda. Prior to joining Edelman, Dean supported multicultural outreach, media relations, event management and strategic planning activities at the Walker Marchant Group in Washington, D.C.(WMG). In her position, she was responsible for conducting research, developing media strategies, designing communications plans and assisting with organizing new business presentations for a variety of clients including Walgreens, Best Buy, Inc., and the Washington Convention Center Authority.
Previous to her tenure at WMG, Dean was an account executive at Millennium 3 Management (M3M) in Philadelphia, PA. While there, she led the public relations and advertising initiatives for Pennsylvania’s largest medical assistance managed care health plan. She worked to disseminate key
messages through various local media channels to reach the defined target audiences, in order to help establish understanding and goodwill between the organization and its public.
Dean, a native of Philadelphia, PA, graduated from Clark Atlanta University (CAU) with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Mass Media Arts/Public Relations and a Master of Continuing Studies in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from Georgetown University.
Official Graphic Designer, Jossan Robinson (Twitter: @TheSonofJob)
With more than 12 years of experience in graphic design, web design and brand marketing Jossan Robinson joins the BPRS-DC team overseeing graphic design and creations for the organization. His experience in graphic design and brand marketing spans several industries including: public affairs, non-profit, finance, information technology and entertainment.
Robinson currently owns and operates Design1320, LLC., which specializes in graphic, web, & fashion design with a focus on branding, marketing/advertising & package design. Robinson’s works have been featured in The Source Magazine, MTV Networks and on various billboards within the Washington DC, Chicago and Philadelphia markets. Robinson is a native Washingtonian and graduate of North Carolina Central University.
President’s Message
By Alana Hill, 2011-12 BPRS-DC President
I am honored and privileged to serve as your BPRS-DC President for the year 2011-2012. I look forward to working with an amazing board to help our great organization grow and to provide you with the resources, tools and support to grow in your career. As President, I am committed to continuing a strong tradition established by our Founder, Ofield Dukes, and maintained by board members that came before. We look forward to honoring the memory of Ofield in all that we to do.
Alana J. Hill
I want to thank Dedra Owens, 2009-2011 BPRSDC President who has led our organization board to produce such great events as the 2010 Black Caucus Brunch, Mentor Madness with Howard University and our annual holiday party with the National Association of Black Journalists and the Capital Press Club. In addition to these events, Dedra lead initiatives to re-launch the BPRS-DC website and lead social media outreach for the organization. The 2012 executive board looks forward to continuing this great legacy.
Our vision is clear— we seek to unite and increase the active participation and employment of African Americans in the professional practice and study of public relations by providing educational and professional development, mentoring and networking opportunities. Interested in brushing up on your writing skills? Contact Victoria Holmes and Natalie Dean to write for our blog or newsletter at bprsdc(at)gmail(dot)com.
We have a wonderful board here to serve you and we are excited to provide you with resources and tools to assist you along your career journey. The coming year promises to be an exciting time, with many outstanding activities and events. We thank you for your continued support. I encourage each of you to stay connected and to join us for the upcoming events!
2011-12 BPRS-DC Leadership Board
Alana Hill, President
Michael Dutton, Parliamentarian
Chris Epps, Treasurer
Victoria Holmes, New Media Director
Natalie Dean, Membership Chair
Dedra Owens, Past President
Remembering Ofield Dukes
Ofield Dukes
Mr. Dukes was a true visionary and trail blazer. He was a leader and mentor to many of today’s leading African American communications professionals. His leadership, wisdom, and magnetism will be missed but not forgotten.
Described by many as one of the industry’s most influential public relations practitioners, the DC Chapter of the Black Public Relations Society (BPRS-DC) mourns the death of our founder, visionary and father, Ofield Dukes. We have lost a courageous leader and amazing human being who has supported, guided and mentored hundreds of young and veteran public relations professionals across the country. Over the course of his life, Mr. Dukes has achieved unprecedented international acclaim and has laid the foundation for many of today’s leading communications professionals of color.
In l993, Mr. Dukes founded BPRS-DC with the goal of it being the premier professional organization in the nation’s capital for African American public relations professionals. The first meeting was held in the Washington Convention Center and was standing room only. Today, the organization has grown substantially to provide professional development, mentoring and networking opportunities to more than 500 African American professionals and students in the Washington, DC region. “Mr. Dukes will be sorely missed for his witty personality and great value to the field of public relations,” said Dedra Owens, immediate past president, BPRS-DC. “Mr. Dukes legacy will live on in BPRS-DC as we continue to educate, cultivate and help shape the careers of African American students and PR professionals.”
Mr. Dukes was one of few African Americans working in the White House in the early 1960’s, paving the way for the likes of Kevin Lewis and many others. In May 2011, Mr. Dukes attended his last BPRS-DC event—a discussion with Kevin Lewis, Director of African American Media for the White House. The photo of Mr. Dukes and Mr. Lewis are symbolic for many reasons but most importantly, is a visual reminder of the doors he has opened for African American PR professionals.
During his rich and fulfilling life, Mr. Dukes served as a board member of the Howard University School of Communications, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Change and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. He was a key organizer of the inaugural Congressional Black Caucus dinner. In l964, Mr. Dukes joined the Johnson-Humphrey administration as deputy director of Information for the President’s Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity, chaired by President Lyndon B. Johnson. He was later appointed to the staff of Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, serving until l968. Mr. Dukes has been a communications consultant for every Democratic presidential campaign since l972.
In 1969, Mr. Dukes established Ofield Dukes & Associates, where he served clients ranging from the U.S. Departments of Treasury and Defense; Warner Brothers Records; Time Warner, Inc.; the American Lung Association; and the Democratic National Committee. In l975, the Washington Post recognized Mr. Dukes as one of the top public relations persuaders in the city.
A journalism graduate of Wayne State University in Detroit, Mr. Dukes captured three National Newspaper Publishers Association awards for editorial, column and feature writing for the Michigan Chronicle in l964. Mr. Dukes was an inductee of the National Capital Chapter (Washington, DC) of the Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) Hall of Fame; the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame; the PRSA College of Fellows; and was a recipient of the PRSA Gold Anvil Award in 2001. In 2005, PRWeek named him one of the five most effective communicators of the year.
BPRS DC Mourns loss of Founder Ofield Dukes
Members: It is with deep regret that we bring to the you the official announcement of Ofield Dukes passing:
OFIELD DUKES PASSES AT 79
(Detroit, December 7, 2011) — Ofield Dukes, a leading public relations counselor to several presidents and elected officials, died early Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at Henry Ford Hospital in his hometown of Detroit. Born August 8, 1932, Dukes was 79 years old and died after a long illness.
He operated his PR firm, Ofield Dukes & Associates, for more than four decades in Washington before returning to Detroit in late September.
Dukes operated one of the most successful public relations firms in the Nation’s Capital and was the recipient of numerous awards and commendations. A worldwide traveler, Dukes was a consultant to presidential campaigns, members of the Congressional Black Caucus, entertainers, international leaders, and organizations.
Dukes came to Washington in l964 to accept a position in the Johnson-Humphrey Administration as Deputy Director of the President’s Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity, chaired by former President Lyndon B. Johnson.
A year later, he was appointed to the staff of Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey. In l969, Dukes opened his public relations firm in the National Press Building, with Motown his first client.
His illustrious Washington career included helping to organize the first Congressional Black Caucus Dinner, serving on the CBC Foundation board for 14 years and on the board of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Non-Violence. He also orchestrated the 1981 National March on Washington to Make Martin Luther King’s Birthday a National Holiday.
In addition, he encouraged hundreds of African-American students to enter the field of public relations, while teaching public relations as an adjunct professor at Howard University’s John H. Johnson School of Communications for 25 years. He also taught at The American University for eight years.
In 2001, Dukes became the first African American to receive the Public Relations Society of America’s Gold Anvil, the highest award given in the public relations industry. He also founded the DC Chapter of the Black Public Relations Society.
Mr. Dukes is survived by his daughter, Roxi Victorian, son-in-law, Michael B. Victorian, grandson, Michael Dukes Victorian, and sisters, Lou Brock, Anne Harris, and Betty Hayden.
Funeral arrangements have not been finalized. Expressions of condolence to the Dukes family may be sent to 16140 LaSalle Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48221.
For more information about Ofield’s life and career, visit www.ofield.com.
[BPRS DC encourages you to share your memories of Mr. Dukes on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BPRSWashingtonDC ]
