A Student's Perspective of "Who's In the Room"
Posted on Apr. 20, 2026 / Subscribe 0
“Sometimes you miss the journey and only look at the successes,” shared Antonice Strickland, PRSA Detroit President, VP of 98Forward, and moderator of the event, “Who’s in the Room?”
On March 26, PRSA Detroit hosted a fireside chat to celebrate the leadership and impact of Black women across public relations, communications and marketing, particularly in light of Women’s History Month. The conversation highlighted not only their professional achievements but also the lived experiences that have shaped their journeys.
As a soon-to-be graduate, this event felt both necessary and long overdue. It is widely understood that people of color navigate unique, often untold challenges, and this discussion brought those realities to the forefront. Panelists Jamilla Cupid, Co-Author of Who’s in the Room? and professor at Pepperdine University, Asia Gholston, SVP of Brand Marketing at Ilitch Sports and Entertainment, and Ebonee Thompson, VP of Digital Marketing for Rock the Bells, reflected on their careers and how their identities, particularly as Black women, have influenced how they show up in professional spaces.
Cupid emphasized the importance of embracing one’s professional journey with honesty and transparency. Showing up authentically, she explained, means being unapologetically yourself and trusting in your abilities. While this can be challenging in professional settings, public relations is rooted in building genuine connections with audiences. To be successful, you must cultivate an identity grounded in authenticity and trust.
The conversation also highlighted the power of networking and the value of establishing meaningful relationships. Gholston reflected on how connections with people from diverse backgrounds, experiences and roles can open doors, provide guidance, and offer support in ways that may not have been possible alone. Beyond building a strong network for yourself, she emphasized the importance of creating space for others to thrive. Leadership isn't always about being in the spotlight. Sometimes it means stepping aside, creating space, and allowing others' authentic voices to be heard. It is not enough to simply be present in the room; ensuring others have a seat at the table is just as important.
Thompson expanded on this, emphasizing the role of mentorship and advocacy. Mentors guide you, but advocates speak your name in rooms you are not in. Both are vital for a strong professional support system. In a field that thrives on connection and visibility, uplifting others and holding the door open for them when opportunities arise can make all the difference.
Every professional path comes with unspoken sacrifices, moments of doubt and questions of belonging. “Who’s in the Room?” challenged that silence by bringing these experiences to light through the perspectives of Black women in the industry.
Hearing from women of color who have navigated these spaces gave me a deeper understanding of both the challenges and possibilities that may lie ahead, ultimately reinforcing key lessons: the importance of mentorship and advocacy, the responsibility to create space for others, the power of setting boundaries, and speaking up, even in rooms where your voice may be overlooked.
More than anything, it left me with an energizing reminder to show up fully and invest my time and energy into spaces that challenge me, even when navigating unfamiliar terrain.
To join us for future PRSA Detroit programs, visit our events page.
Ashley Ortiz is a senior at Wayne State University, studying public relations and communication studies, where she serves as a peer mentor for PR courses and is the president of WSU’s PRSSA. Ashley is currently interning with PRSA Detroit and Yelp.
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