PRSA Foundation Extends Partnership with Mission North to “Foster the Future” for Public Relations Students of Color

                     AGEAN Public Relations, LaunchSquad, and Method Communications 

NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 1, 2023 – The PRSA Foundation announced today it is expanding its partnership with Mission North and bringing in three additional partner agencies, AGEAN Public Relations, LaunchSquad, and Method Communications, to create fellowships that will focus on public relations/communications college students of color.

The Foster the Future initiative aims to build a more progressive future for the public relations industry by creating pathways for individuals who’ve been historically excluded from leadership positions. The four agencies are collaborating with the PRSA Foundation to offer the opportunity to gain valuable work experience while offsetting some of the financial burdens of tuition and other education expenses.

In 2023, the PRSA Foundation will award four fellowships, with some combination of scholarships, stipends, and internships. The internship will follow a curriculum developed by Mission North introducing awardees to PR agency careers. The 2023 awards include:

• Mission North The Future Is…Fellowship: $16,000 scholarship, $6,000 stipend, 6-week remote internship.
• AGEAN Public Relations Fellowship: $2,500 scholarship, 5-week remote internship.
• LaunchSquad Fellowship: $15,000 scholarship, $4,000 stipend, 8-week remote internship
• Method Communications Fellowship: $15,000 scholarship, $3,000 stipend, 6-week remote internship.

“The PRSA Foundation is excited about the Foster the Future fellowships because they are designed to deliver a broader perspective,” said Dawn Christian, PRSA Foundation President. “They are defined by the talent, skills, and voices that thrive to breakthrough margins, resonate culturally and share inclusive viewpoints. That's what makes the Foster the Future fellowships so dynamic and impactful!”

“The only way we are going to address the lack of diversity in the communications industry is by working together,” said Tyler Perry, co-CEO, Mission North. “We designed the Foster the Future initiative to provide the tools and resources to foster diversity and equity within our field, and we are thrilled that Method Communications, LaunchSquad and AGEAN Public Relations are joining as our inaugural partners. It is our hope that we can scale this substantially over the next few years to truly make a meaningful impact.”

About PRSA Foundation
The PRSA Foundation is an independent, 501 (c) (3) charitable organization that is committed to promoting diversity among public relations professionals and companies so that they can best serve the public good and address the needs of a diverse world. www.prsafoundation.org  

About Mission North
Mission North is a communications agency for the companies shaping our future. Based in San Francisco, New York, Boston, Washington D.C. and Portland, Oregon, the agency integrates PR, digital marketing, social media, and analytics to help companies turn their visions into impact. For more information, visit www.missionnorth.com

About LaunchSquad
LaunchSquad is an independent public relations, story development, and creative agency. Our team is curious, diverse, kind, and relentless. We partner seamlessly with change-the-world companies—crafting and executing integrated, strategic communications programs that achieve measurable business results. We are a people-first company committed to making sure everyone has a great experience and an equal opportunity to grow and succeed. www.launchsquad.com

About AGEAN Public Relations
AGEAN specializes in brand-building PR. It was founded in 2020 by award-winning PR industry leader, Alyssa Garnick, when she saw a need for big brands to find high-quality project work for high-stakes assignments and to get big agency-caliber work for less.   AGEAN does brand-building PR for consumer brands, products and companies and they work across all categories from health to tech, retail to real estate, travel and food.  They marry creativity with strategy at all times and use an earned-media lens to create campaigns for brands that drive positive reputation by generating press coverage, conversation and commerce.  They are based in New York and have team members across the U.S.  www.ageanpr.com

About Method Communications
Method is a global PR and marketing partner for challenger brands shaking up the status quo and market leaders facing challenges of their own. We are cut from the same cloth as the innovative companies we represent.  As entrepreneurs in our field, we know how to bring narratives to life and capture the spotlight, driving meaningful business outcomes. www.methodcommunications.com

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Media Contact:
Rod Granger
PRSA
(212) 460-0307
rod.granger@prsa.org