As communications professionals, we live close to the power of language. We know how narratives are shaped, packaged and distributed. We know how quickly nuance can be stripped away when it becomes inconvenient. We also know the good this work can do when it is guided by values and care. The story we tell about people determines whether they are treated as human. The stories we refuse to tell can become their own kind of harm.
The PRSA Black Voices Affinity Group was created to strengthen community, advance Black leadership and bring cultural truth into professional spaces with excellence and intention. On this day, we honor Dr. King by centering voices from senior Black leaders across the communications industry. Their reflections are not soundbites. They are reminders. They speak to what it means to lead in a profession that influences culture, business and public trust. They speak to what it takes to protect dignity while navigating power. They speak to what remains unfinished, and what we still have the capacity to build together.
Below are six reflections from Black communications leaders, as we reflect on Dr. King’s legacy and leadership in 2026:
Sabrina Browne, Co-Lead of PRSA Black Voices Affinity Group and Senior Vice President at Citi
“Martin Luther King Jr. Day reminds me that leadership is measured in what you protect. I think about the people who raised me, the places that shaped me, and the lessons that still guide me when the stakes are high. In our work, it is easy to focus on the headline, the approval, the perfect phrasing. Dr. King calls us back to substance. He calls us to tell the truth even when it costs something, to leave room for humanity in spaces that reward performance, and to remember that our work is not separate from our values. When I honor his legacy, I think about whether the stories we tell expand dignity, whether our decisions widen opportunity and whether we are building a profession where Black talent is seen, supported and trusted to lead.”
Troy Blackwell Jr., Distinguished Fellow at Columbia University and former Deputy Chief Communications Officer at the U.S. Department of Commerce
“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. understood that moral clarity is itself a communications strategy. Long before digital platforms and 24-hour news cycles, he showed us that words, when rooted in truth and courage, can shift public opinion and move institutions toward justice. In 2026, communicators carry a responsibility not just to shape narratives, but to align them with values that advance equity and human dignity. Dr. King’s legacy reminds our industry that the most powerful messaging is not what persuades in the moment, but what endures and transforms society over time.”
Adaora Ugokwe, Fortune 500 Marketing Consultant
“Dr. King’s legacy reminds us that brands do not exist apart from the world people are living in. As a Black woman responsible for shaping brands at the intersection of culture and commerce, I see leadership as a responsibility to be intentional, grounded, and accountable. In 2026, honoring Dr. King means building brands that earn trust, reflect real lives and contribute to progress in ways that are thoughtful and lasting.”
Thomas Bennett III, Co-Lead of PRSA Black Voices Affinity Group and Senior Vice President at FleishmanHillard
“Dr. King was undoubtedly an instrumental leader during the American Civil Rights Movement. He advocated for racial equality and human rights by championing peaceful protests like the March on Washington. It’s vitally important that we continue to recognize, celebrate and honor his legacy within PRSA and beyond. As a community, we must also understand that real change asks for more than written or spoken words. It asks for consistency, accountability and a willingness to challenge systems that benefit from the status quo. For me personally, celebrating Dr. King this year is hitting home differently given the backdrop of where our country is.”
Nijha Diggs, Founder & Principal, The Diggs Group
“Dr. King’s legacy reminds us that leadership requires courage, service and a clear sense of responsibility. He showed that lasting change comes from standing firm in your values, even when it’s difficult. As Black leaders today, we honor his example by leading with integrity, using our voices thoughtfully and creating impact that extends beyond ourselves.”
Chris Gee, Chief Executive Officer, Chris Gee Consulting
“This is a moment that demands courage, not comfort. Dr. King reminded us that progress is never linear, and as we enter 2026 it is clear we are in the midst of a difficult zigzag. We see civil rights protections being rolled back. We see DEI commitments quietly dismantled. We see social platforms amplifying division instead of understanding, all at the very moment moral clarity is most needed. Leadership has never been safe; it has always meant going first, being visible and accepting vulnerability. As we begin this year, the question is not where leadership is lacking, but who is willing to step forward and carry it. So, how will you be a catalyst for change in 2026?”
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Dr. King asked America to practice a deeper kind of integrity. For communications leaders, that call lands close, and we must remember that justice is not built through media headlines or interviews. It is built through choices, through courage, and through people who insist on telling the truth even when it’s hard to do.
As we move through 2026, the Black Voices Affinity Group will continue to create programming and resources grounded in career growth, culture, community and client relevance. We will continue to partner with peers across the industry, build space for honest dialogue, and elevate leadership that is both excellent and rooted.
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we honor Dr. King by carrying his vision into our work, our leadership, and our lives.
Statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in the Kelly Ingram Park, Birmingham, Ala. (Photo by Natalie Schorr.)
The post Black Executives and the Meaning of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2026 first appeared on PRsay.