(BLACK PR WIRE) -- CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Raschanda Hall, the director of global media relations for Business Wire, and a long-time board member of BPRS Chicago has been elected unanimously by the board to serve as the next president. Hall most recently served as the chapter’s Executive Vice President and Programming Committee Chair.

Founded in 1984 as a networking and professional development collective, BPRS Chicago is the founding chapter of the National Black Public Relations Society (NBPRS). Members of BPRS Chicago include corporate communicators, agency and independent public relations practitioners, public relations educators, nonprofits and government public information officers.

“The PR industry is in a state of transformation and BPRS-Chicago members are eager to adapt,” said Raschanda Hall, incoming chapter president. “I am excited to lead a board dedicated to strengthening opportunities for African-American PR , marketing and communication professionals. These practitioners seek career development and support to grow their entrepreneurial businesses. We will give members what they need to create and navigate pathways to success at every stage in their careers through programming, networking, mentoring, advocacy, and access.”

Additional members of the 2016-17 board of directors includes:

Immediate Past President – Jetta Bates, President and Founder, Twist Global. Bates was previously BPRS Chicago executive vice president, and vice president of publicity.

Executive Vice President – Karyn Brianne (Watkins) Lee, Marketing Manager –Specialty Health, Walgreens.

Vice President Membership – Travis Kessel, SVP – Recruitment, Edelman.

Vice President of Publicity – Dionne Williams, Owner, D. Williams Public Relations Group.

Treasurer – David Rudd, Director – Corporate and Community Communications, University of Chicago. Rudd previously served as President of BPRS Chicago

Parliamentarian – Fredika Atkins, D.B.A., Medicare Marketing Manager, WellCare Health Plans, Inc., A Medicare Plan.

Board Members-at-Large – Jerry Thomas, Founder and President, Jerry Thomas Public Relations, and Jenelle Alexander, Senior Account Executive, Resolute Consulting.

This new board kicks off their terms with an aggressive programming calendar and a March membership promotion. You can get more membership details at Bprschicago.org and register now for their March 24th event hosted by Edelman Chicago. “So What: Media Experts Share Tips to Improve Your Pitching Across All Platforms.”