Inez Y. Kaiser GKC-PRSA Memorial Scholarship
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Posted By: Lea Ann Germinder on 03/10/2022 | ||||||||
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nez Y. Kaiser GKC-PRSA Memorial Scholarship Fund
BACKGROUND: Dr. Inez Y. Kaiser’s interpretation of Napoleon Hill’s words guided her extraordinary career as a national Black public relations pioneer and as an early member of the Greater Kansas City chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). In fact, she was the first Black woman to join PRSA nationally in 1966. In honor of this achievement and in recognition of the 75th anniversary of PRSA, the GKC-PRSA chapter has established a third scholarship open nationwide for 2022. In 1957, she founded Inez Kaiser & Associates. By 1963, she had located her office in downtown Kansas City – unheard of at the time. She was the first Black woman to own a national public relations firm with national clients, and ultimately was a counselor to two presidents. She was an early celebrity author, appearing on the Today Show with Barbara Walters with her “Soul Food Cookery” cookbook. In recognition of her legacy, her cookbook is now on display in the Smithsonian Museum’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. After graduating from Pittsburg State University, Kansas, she became a successful teacher, then turned to a second career in public relations. Her column, “Hints for Homemakers” was first published in the Kansas City Call and later in over 40 Black newspapers nationwide. She was a contributor to the Kansas City opinion column “As I See It.” She was an extraordinary businesswoman, a leader and also a passionate volunteer. She was the first Black woman to join the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. Even as a successful businesswoman, she found time to organize the del Sprites to help young Black girls and Black women leaders in the still active Jackson County, Missouri Chapter of the Links. This endowment fund was established by her hometown chapter of PRSA as the GKC-PRSA chapter celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2021. It celebrates her legacy of Black leadership, public relations excellence and community volunteerism. Scholarships will be awarded to Black college students of junior or senior level who demonstrate these skills. ELIGIBILITY: Two scholarships are open to all African American/Black junior or first semester undergraduate registered seniors and enrolled in a public relations or communications program at an accredited college or university in Kansas or Missouri. The student must reside in Kansas or Missouri at the time of application. One point will be awarded for PRSSA members and one additional point will be awarded for leadership in PRSSA, however PRSSA membership or affiliation is not a requirement for eligibility. One additional scholarship is open to all African American/Black junior or first semester undergraduate registered seniors and enrolled in a public relations or communications program at an accredited college or university nationwide. One point will be awarded for PRSSA members and one additional point will be awarded for leadership in PRSSA, however PRSSA membership or affiliation is not a requirement for eligibility. The applicant must have earned at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale overall. The application should reflect the applicant’s leadership and commitment to public relations excellence and volunteerism, hallmarks of Inez Kaiser’s legacy. | |
| Scholarship/Grant Site: https://gkccf.academicworks.com/opportunities/4925 |
