Marlee Matlin Added to ICON 2022 Lineup; Board Nominations Underway

Academy Award-winning actress and activist Marlee Matlin will serve as a keynote speaker at ICON 2022, on Nov. 13-15 at the Gaylord Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. 

At age 21, Matlin, who lost her hearing at only 18 months old, became the youngest recipient and only deaf performer to earn the Best Actress Academy Award for her performance in “Children of a Lesser God.” Since then, Matlin has used her platform to advocate for the deaf and hearing-impaired community. 

“There is a lot to be learned from Marlee, an actress who has not let the challenges she has faced dictate her dreams and life trajectory,” said Dr. Felicia Blow, APR, PRSA’s 2022 chair. 

Along with a successful Hollywood career, Matlin has dedicated herself to raising awareness for many humanitarian causes and is also known for her advocacy work on behalf of those struggling against domestic abuse and addiction. 

In 2015, Matlin developed “Marlee Signs,” the first celebrity-driven app teaching basics of American Sign Language on mobile devices. Matlin published her New York Times best-selling autobiography “I’ll Scream Later” in 2009 and has authored three novels for children: “Deaf Child Crossing,” “Nobody’s Perfect” and “Leading Ladies.”

Board Nomination Process Underway

The application process is underway for the 2023 Board of Directors. 

PRSA is seeking candidates to fill three officer positions as well as director positions for five Districts and one Director-At-Large position.

Board members meet and closely collaborate with colleagues on the local, regional and national levels, supporting efforts to champion PRSA and amplifying our value with memabers. Their duties and responsibilities include fiscal oversight, helping to guide and oversee PRSA’s strategic vision and goals, enhancing membership growth and serving as the face of the organization, among many other projects and programs.

Applications are due May 24.

Please visit the PRSA website to apply.

PRSA Remembers Craig Toyoki Miyamoto, APR, Fellow PRSA

Craig Toyoki Miyamoto, APR, Fellow PRSA, an active member of the Hawaiian PR community and a former member of the PRSA Board of Directors, died on Feb. 25 in Honolulu. He was 77.

Many in Hawaii, whether PR professionals or community members, looked up to Miyamoto as a mentor and friend. His calm and deliberate manner inspired many professionals to give back to the profession.

Prior to entering the PR profession, Miyamoto was a newspaper reporter and managing editor in the Los Angeles area. Following his journalism career, he served as director of public relations for the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, and later as executive vice president of SMS Communications, Honolulu. He was also president of Miyamoto Advertising/Public Relations, and executive vice president and principal of Miyamoto Strategic Counsel. In retirement, he continued to counsel clients through his own firm.

Miyamoto served PRSA’s Hawaii Chapter in many leadership positions, culminating as president in 1989. The Chapter inducted him as a member of the PRSA Hawaii Hall of Fame in 2003. He was also active in Sections and Districts as well as the PRSA Board of Ethics and Professional Standards. He served on the PRSA Board of Directors in 1997-98.

Miyamoto was preceded in death by his wife Diana Chiye Miyamoto. He is survived by his two sons, James and Carleton, and his grandchildren.