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 ]
