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A Zinaejah Ozier Interview: Troy Blackwell Jr.

The interview series by Zinaejah Ozier kicked off its third interview with Troy Blackwell Jr. who is the National Director of Press Advance, Obama White House Alum, and Board Member at BPRS-NY and PRSA Tri State. 

On June 30, 2020, Blackwell will be speaking at the LGBTQ Experience in Public Relations event at the Museum of Public Relations. Celebrating the 50^th anniversary of Stonewall, which granted rights to LGBT members, this event is aimed at showing what it’s like to be in the LGBTQ community while also in PR. 

“We’re going to talk about the last 50 years of pride and about ways that agencies can be more inclusive when marketing or working on clients that do work in the LGBTQ space.”

Going into the interview, Zinaejah Ozier knew that she would be able to relate to the unique experiences that Blackwell encountered due to his membership in both the black community and the LGBTQ community. In response to this, Blackwell spoke on how these unique experiences make way for the importance of telling your story and inserting yourself into an industry that is in dire need of more diversity. 

“Don’t shy away from the industry because of where the industry is right now,” said Blackwell Jr. “I think also sometimes being different, offering a unique perspective, and being able to tell stories that are different from everyone else in the bunch, that unique perspective can actually make you stand out and it can make people more interested in you. You’ll be surprised how far that that can take you.”

He made it clear that coming from a marginalized group does not make you susceptible to the things that the world tries to put you in. You are not what society says you are, you are what you make of yourself. 

To watch the full video on uniqueness and gaining perspectives, click here!

For more on the series, click here.

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