PCI’s Commitment to Meaningful Change

At PCI, we work with many clients who make a difference in their communities and the world. We take pride in helping them spread their stories, and our staff is committed to creating impact both inside and out of the workplace. The work comes in many forms, like seeking and sharing educational resources, supporting minority-owned businesses and organizations and—perhaps most importantly—sustaining our commitment to foster meaningful change.  

Working for Change 

One of our goals at PCI is to integrate this important work into everyday life. While recognition during observances like Black History Month, Women’s History Month and beyond is important, finding ways to support and uplift others in our communities is always at the forefront of our minds. 

Empowering Women in Communications 

As a women-owned agency, we work to celebrate and amplify women’s voices. Throughout March, we asked PCI staff to share empowering and inspirational songs and books that highlight the spirit of Women’s History Month. We were inspired by our amazing staff’s responses and recommendations, which included:  

Highwomen by the Highwomen 

“It’s brilliant, poignant…and a powerful reminder that women are at the table and are a force.” – Laurie Holloway 

Energy Budget by Toni Jones 

“She is a fierce advocate for women and focuses her music on prioritizing mental health and well-being.” – Ramsey Carey 

Nightflyer by Allison Russell 

“I cannot say enough about her artistry and advocacy for women, especially in telling her own story.” -Bridget Stratton 

Continuing the theme of empowerment, we had the pleasure of sitting down with our accomplished CEO, Jill Allread, for a roundtable chat. Her story and continued work to inspire and help future generations of women leaders shines through in her work to drive PCI’s mission and her goals forward. One piece of advice Jill offered? “Be curious. Ask questions. It’s our duty to bring our voices and creativity to the table.”  

Organizations that Support Black Communities 

In February, the PCI team came together to donate to five nonprofit organizations, comprised of national and Chicago-based groups, that serve and aid the advancement of Black Americans. Read more about each of these organizations below and what they mean to our team. We encourage you to explore these and other nonprofit organizations serving Black communities and consider ways to offer your support. 

Black Girls Code (National)

Black Girls CODE builds pathways for young women of color to embrace the current tech marketplace as builders and creators by introducing them to skills in computer programming and technology. They aim to close the opportunity gap for Black women and girls and are leading a global movement to establish equal representation in the tech sector. Black Girls CODE is devoted to showing the world that Black girls can code and do so much more.  

The TRiiBE (Local)

The TRiiBE is a Chicago-based digital media platform reshaping the narrative of Black Chicago through journalism, documentary, creative writing and video. The organization’s work captures the multifaceted essence of the Black experience in pursuit of truth and liberation. Recently, The TRiiBE stories have highlighted how Black people on the South and West Sides have continued to experience inequity in the city’s response to the public health emergency. 

Gray Matter Experience (Local)

Gray Matter Experience is a Bronzeville-based entrepreneurship incubator empowering Black teens to start their own businesses. The organization supports youth in creating enterprises that positively impact the communities in which they live. Through bootcamps, in-school programming and pop-up workshops, teens learn entrepreneurship skills that set them up for success.  

Brave Space Alliance (Local)

Brave Space Alliance is the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ Center located on the South Side of Chicago. BSA is dedicated to creating and providing for-us by-us resources, programming and services for LGBTQ+ individuals on the South and West sides of the city. BSA’s strategic priorities include health and wellness, visibility and expansion and bravery and solidarity. They strive to empower and educate each other through mutual aid and community sourced resources in support of all oppressed peoples.  

The Links, Incorporated (International)

The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation with membership consisting of more than 16,000 professional women of African descent. There are 292 chapters located in Illinois and 40 other states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and the United Kingdom. It is one of the largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. The Links focuses on five pillars: Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services and Health and Human Services. 

Stay tuned for more updates from PCI’s DEI Council.