Keisha Brewer: Navigating the PR World with Passion and Purpose

Keisha Brewer has built a reputation not only for her skills but also for her dedication to educating others in the field. A PR veteran with nearly a decade of experience, has not only carved a niche for herself but has also become a beacon for others aspiring to thrive in this dynamic field. In this exclusive interview, Keisha shares her journey, the challenges she’s faced, and how she’s shaping the future of PR through her work and initiatives like ProCon.

Bleu: Can you share a bit about your journey in the world of public relations, and what sparked your interest in the field?

Keisha: Absolutely. I started in public relations after beginning my journey in communications during college. At the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, I majored in English with a minor in news writing and reporting. While there, I got my first opportunity as a news writer at a station in Salisbury. Although I loved news writing and storytelling, I realized I wanted to be more involved in how stories came together, rather than just writing them.

As a public relations specialist, I'm deeply involved in message development, media outreach, and narrative crafting, which I found to be my true passion. After college, I continued to explore corporate communications, working with agencies and in government communications. During this time, I recognized that small businesses also needed expert communication support, much like large organizations with dedicated departments.

Bleu: Establishing yourself within the PR industry, what are some of the biggest challenges you've faced over the past eight years?

Keisha: One of the biggest challenges early on was helping people understand what we do as public relations professionals. About eight years ago, there was a lot of confusion around our role—people often didn't know if we were managers, publicists, assistants, or something else entirely. I’d get requests like, "Can you just answer my emails every week?" and I'd have to clarify that this wasn’t what PR is about.

Even now, though social media has helped by allowing us to showcase our work and a day in our life, there's still a need for ongoing education. Another significant challenge was differentiating public relations from marketing. Once people understood we weren’t assistants or managers, they often assumed we were doing marketing, so it became an ongoing effort to explain the differences between the two fields.

Bleu: How has your experience shaped your approach to PR today?

Keisha: My approach to PR today is very much education-based. Over the nearly ten years I've been in this industry, I've realized there's a significant need to educate people about what public relations is, what we do, and how we operate. Even when clients come to me with specific requests, like wanting to be featured in Forbes, I make it a priority to educate them about how PR really works. I emphasize the importance of building a strategy that fosters long-term engagement with their brand, rather than just securing a one-time media hit that quickly fades from memory.

Bleu: Can you tell me what inspired you to create ProCon, and what was the vision behind it?

Keisha: ProCon is now heading into its third year, but the vision for it has been with me for about five years. I didn't know what it would be called at first, but I knew I wanted to create a conference that would connect professionals in our industry. It took me around two years to gain the confidence to take the leap and make it a reality.

The inspiration came from my experiences after entering the PR industry and sharing my work on social media. I received a lot of questions from people who aspired to enter the field but didn’t know where to start. They were asking, "Is there mentorship available? How do I begin?" Many expressed frustration at the lack of guidance and opportunities, with some even mentioning that when they reached out to professionals for internships, they were often told that things were too fast-paced for them to be taught.

Bleu: What can attendees expect out of this year's ProCon?

Keisha: If you've attended ProCon in the past, I always tell people to erase what they experienced before because each year we aim to outdo ourselves. For those who attended in previous years, you'll find that this year’s event is bigger and better, even though we’re in the same building for year three. I encourage everyone to come with fresh expectations because we’re raising the bar again.

For newcomers, you can expect panel sessions and workshops featuring top leaders in media and PR communications. One of our keynote speakers will be Beyoncé’s publicist, Yvette Noel-Schure, who will share insights on how she’s helped build and sustain Beyoncé’s iconic brand over the years. We’ll also have a variety of other great speakers lined up for the panel sessions and workshops.

Don't miss out on the PR event of the year! Join us at ProCon 2024 on August 31st at the Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza for an incredible day of learning, networking, and fun.

From powerhouse speakers to interactive workshops, brand activations, amazing food, and drinks – this is where value meets vibes!

Secure your spot and purchase your tickets here.