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Ethical AI in Living Color – Using AI to Advance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

By Lelani Clark

In recent news, there has been a weaponization of the term Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and increased backlash against equity-based programs and initiatives. However, in taking the temperature of our current climate, I believe the fight has just begun. This highly charged moment is an opportunity for a true culture shift where AI has the potential to play a key role in driving positive social change.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a transformative tool, boosting innovation, efficiency, and productivity across industries. However, like with any evolving technology, it poses both opportunities and challenges. Paired with a DEI lens, AI can become a powerful ally for promoting social justice especially in communications and cause-related marketing. Specifically, Ethical AI that integrates DEI principles adheres to guidelines that prioritize fundamental human-centered values, while avoiding harm. As a result, communicators that use these critical tools can develop communications campaigns that motivate diverse audiences and represent marginalized communities with authenticity, dignity and respect.

AI-driven tools with a DEI focus can analyze language in marketing and communications to detect gender, racial or cultural biases, allowing organizations to refine their messaging to be more inclusive. This ensures that communications are culturally sensitive and resonate with a wider audience. Significantly, DEI-focused AI helps prevent organizations from falling into the trap of performative DEI efforts or the reinforcement of harmful stereotypes.

Monsters and Ghosts in the Machine

Joy Buolamwini, bestselling author of “Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What is Human in a World of Machines” and an “Ethical AI” firebrand has been a vocal leader in making the case for DEI-informed AI to increase tech diversity, center marginalized communities and close the digital divide. In her book and lectures, she addresses the “coded gaze” and “coded bias” that dominates the tech industry to highlight the biases embedded in algorithms that serve to dehumanize BIPOC communities, especially with faulty facial recognition software that disproportionately targets and racially profiles black and brown people, turning them into digital boogeymen and phantoms.

As an advocate for “algorithmic justice,” Dr. Buolamwini has pushed for diverse representation at the developer level and to create AI systems that combat systemic racism, gender discrimination and ableism. Her book serves as a valuable resource for communicators. We too must be vigilant in ensuring that the tools used to enhance our work are not harmful to the communities and organizations we represent.

The New Digital Culturalists

A new generation of diverse tech leaders is disrupting the traditionally exclusive white male-dominated “tech bro” industry by building ethical and inclusive AI systems. Large Language Models (LLM) and chatbots like Latimer and ChatBlackGPT, along with organizations such as Black AI Think Tank are at the forefront of advocating for deep inclusion and developing anti-bias AI tools to ensure underserved communities are represented in authentic ways. Their mission is to combat the whitewashing, misrepresentation and erasure of BIPOC histories in technology.

I recently attended the National Black AI Literacy Day event hosted by Black AI Think Tank and

ChatBlackGPT’s listening session with industry leaders, which emphasized the need for transparency, diverse representation, culturally sensitive datasets and the development of ethical AI systems. These leaders are advocating for anti-bias tools, policy recommendations, and accountability from Big Tech to ensure more BIPOC developers and tech leaders are included as decision makers in the tech industry, especially at the C-suite level. They are leading an AI revolution, demanding a seat at the table and more skin in the game to make sure BIPOC communities have agency and control the narrative when it comes to preserving historical and cultural accuracy.

The Future of Ethical AI

Incorporating Ethical AI in communications can be instrumental in futureproofing DEI programs and initiatives. To maximize the benefits of ethical and responsible AI while mitigating risks, it’s important for organizations and communicators to follow these best practices:

  • Use inclusive AI tools that monitor bias through equity assessments during the design phase and incorporate diverse training datasets based on various demographics, cultures and perspectives.
  • Ensure transparent AI best practices are used across all departments within an organization, building trust in AI systems by making information about data use and algorithms accessible.
  • Provide ongoing education and training on AI’s ethical implications and opportunities to advance DEI initiatives, ensuring buy-in from leadership and staff.

AI has the potential to be a game changer in advancing DEI in communications and positioning

organizations as change agents, but only if it incorporates a commitment to digital equity and inclusion. By prioritizing ethical AI practices, organizations can ensure AI becomes a transformative force in fostering more inclusion and promoting social justice.

For more hot topics and engaging content on Ethical AI, check out Vanguard Communication’s AI Taskforce blog series.

About Lelani Clark

Lelani Clark is Associate Director and Senior Media Relations Strategist at Vanguard Communications. As a certified DEI advocate, she serves on the AI Taskforce, focusing on the intersection of AI and DEI. Her work centers on using Ethical AI in communications to amplify the voices of BIPOC communities and promote social justice. Ms. Clark is a professional member of WWPR.

Navigating Arab American Heritage Month During the Gaza Crisis

By Laila Mokhiber, WWPR member

April 16, 2024

Photo credit: Washington Post

As we reach the halfway point of Arab American Heritage Month (April), I need to pause and reflect with you, fellow Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) members. Last year, I wrote you a guide for honoring and lifting up Arab American voices. But this year feels different—more sobering, more pressing, and much more personal.

In the last six months, the crisis in Gaza has affected me deeply, both in my professional role as Director of Communications for UNRWA USA and in my identity as an Arab American woman with Palestinian and Lebanese roots. The tragic killings of more than 33,000 Palestinians, including over 14,500 children, are unacceptable and have left me heartbroken and depressed. Thousands more are buried under the rubble and presumed to be dead. These aren’t just numbers; they have names. I personally know and am affected by the loss of friends, nearly 200 colleagues, and family members of many people I care about. I mourn my friends Rushdi and Refaat, who I spent time with in Gaza City just two summers ago, Majed and his family, the brother and relatives of my dear friend and colleague Hani. All were taken from us in the darkness of the night by Israeli airstrikes. May the memories of all those killed be eternal.

Right now, the worst humanitarian crisis of our time and a human-made famine may mean millions will starve to death, intensifying the suffering of those already forcibly displaced. Famine is setting in because Gaza is under siege, and aid is trickling in at a snail’s pace. In some areas, there’s no aid at all. People are resorting to eating grass and animal feed just to survive. No one is safe, not even aid workers. For our Arab American friends, especially Palestinians, this is more than just news. We’re agonizingly witnessing in real-time the stories of our people being killed and displaced from their homes, just like our grandparents were 76 years ago during the Nakba (the original catastrophe). We are mourning the loss of homes, memories, and loved ones, and we’re not okay. In an effort to save their families, many Palestinian American friends are scrambling to raise tens of thousands of dollars through GoFundMe campaigns to try and evacuate them, with no guarantees of safety and the agonizing prospect of not being allowed to return to their land ever again.

In the midst of this crisis, young citizen journalists and content creators in the Gaza Strip, names you should now know, have emerged as the voices of their communities. Names like Motaz, Hind, Bisan, Plestia, and dozens of others represent the courage and resilience of those who refuse to be silenced. Armed with nothing but their phones, cameras, and a fierce determination to share their truths, they offer firsthand narratives that shed light on the harsh realities facing Palestinians, stirring a range of emotions and prompting difficult conversations. Through raw and unfiltered accounts, these brave individuals provide a window into the daily struggles and the seven-decades-long plight of the people of Palestine. Despite facing immense danger, they continue documenting the realities on the ground, often at great personal risk. Tragically, this commitment to truth-telling has come at a cost — at least 95 journalists have been killed in Gaza since October 2023.

Through emotionally evocative videos, harrowing photos, and thought-provoking articles, these young folks are challenging entrenched misconceptions and amplifying voices long suppressed and silenced in mainstream discourse. Witnessing their courage, determination, and steadfastness leaves me humbled. As an Arab American woman in communications, these stories reinforce why I do what I do. Misinformation is too often used to justify tragedies like the one we’re seeing in Gaza, so their truths affirm the need for our work. As communicators, we must use our power to shape narratives, influence perspectives, and redefine perceptions with determination and conviction.

I also want to recognize the efforts of Arab American influencers, content creators, and allies during this time. Their efforts are helping bridge the gap between what’s happening across Gaza and what people know about it in America.

While Arab American Heritage Month is intended to be a time for celebration and recognition, it’s also a reminder of the ongoing struggles and injustices Arab communities face here in the United States and abroad. As we continue to advocate for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, we must ensure that Arab American narratives are not just heard but also valued.

However, it’s also crucial to acknowledge that Gaza is not the only issue that matters to Arab Americans. Across the Arabic-speaking world and within Arab American communities, there are a myriad of challenges ranging from political oppression, cultural stereotypes, economic inequality, and systemic discrimination. In addition to the crisis in the Gaza Strip, other places like the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Lebanon, Syria, Sudan, and Yemen, are also grappling with complex and urgent issues that demand our attention and care.

As we navigate through the remaining weeks of April, let’s approach them with renewed purpose and intention. Here are actionable steps we can all take:

  1. 🤝Prioritize inclusivity in all communications and initiatives: Let’s ensure that DEI principles guide our approach and cultivate spaces where Arab American perspectives are sought out and seen as actual assets.
  2. 🌍Share Arab American voices: Let’s use our platforms to uplift the stories of our Arab American friends, colleagues, clients, and followers.
  3. 📚Continue to educate yourself and others: ​​If you aren’t already, follow accounts like the IMEU. Dedicate time to staying informed about current events, historical context, and humanitarian issues affecting the Arab American community, including, but not limited to, the situation in Gaza.
  4. ❤️Get involved in relief efforts: Give what you can to relief and recovery efforts through humanitarian organizations on the frontlines like UNRWA USA.
  5. 🕊️Use your voice for change: Stand in solidarity with global efforts and call or write your representatives to urge for an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian aid access, and the release of all hostages.

WWPR embodies a spirit of challenging the status quo and breaking down barriers, as demonstrated through initiatives like its Emerging Leaders Award, which I was privileged to keynote back in 2022. This ethos inspires us to be bold, fearless, and empowered. Together, through our collective efforts, we can foster change and liberation for all—one conversation, one story, one post at a time.

Board Member Spotlight: Karen Naumann, APR, PMP

WWPR Board Member Karen Naumann, APR, PMP, is a multifaceted, seasoned practitioner with more than 25 years of communication experience. She is an educator, executive, and author with a focus on national security. She excels as an educator, executive, and author, focusing on national security. Currently serving as a graduate professor at West Virginia University’s Defense Information School cohort, Karen trains information warriors in crisis communications. Her background includes roles as a Senior Strategic Communication Planner in South Korea and Senior Instructor at the U.S. Department of Defense’s Information School. Karen finds pride in serving as a communicator for two different countries and in mentoring teams and students. As a WWPR Board Member, she brings her passion for communications and management to an organization dedicated to empowering women in the field. Outside of work, Karen is actively involved in the National Press Club and enjoys virtual reality workouts, hiking, and cooking New Orleans dishes.

Tell me about your background and what drew you to your current position.  

I have the honor and privilege of training the communicators for our country’s fleet in the field as a graduate professor for West Virginia University’s Defense Information School cohort. I develop and instruct these information warriors to proactively and continually practice crisis communications. 

My role builds upon other national security-focused roles that I have recently held. Namely, in 2022, I worked in South Korea as a Senior Strategic Communication Planner and Team Lead in support of the four-star-led UN Combined Forces Command at U.S. Forces Korea, where I developed communication strategy recommendations for command-wide and Republic of Korea allies.

Before this, I was a Senior Instructor at the U.S. Department of Defense’s Information School for several years, where she had the privilege of training hundreds of public affairs officers for the United States fleet and field in topics ranging from Complex Adaptive Systems Thinking to Strategic Foresight and Issues Management and Disinformation. 

What is the most exciting or rewarding project you’ve done recently or in your overall career?  

Professionally, I’m proud of the trust that has been placed in me to serve as a communications strategist for two different countries (the United States of America and Israel). 

Also, I’ve been fortunate to manage talented teams and teach motivated students over the years. Hearing from former team members and students who feel I contributed to their growth and accomplishments is incredibly fulfilling. Their ongoing gratitude and updates on their achievements bring me a deep sense of accomplishment and pride.

What do you love about being a WWPR Board Member? 

I am passionate about communications — evident by holding two degrees in the subject, and earning an accreditation in the field, as well as being a published author and recognized subject matter expert in it. 

Additionally, I love team and program leadership. So, I have earned the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and the SCRUM Master designation, which I use in managing teams.

In an Operations function for WWPR, I have the opportunity to use my communications and management background toward an amazing organization dedicated to area women working in our shared field. 

Is there any book you would recommend? 

So many books, so little time. The book I am reading now, which is perfect for communicators, especially in an election year, is How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion by David McRaney. 

It is an investigation of why some people never change their minds and others do. Uncovering what made a prominent conspiracy theorist YouTuber finally see that 9/11 was not a hoax or why some people left Westboro Church was fascinating. Probing how do voter opinions shift from neutral to resolute? It delves into the latest research of psychologists and neuroscientists, the book explores the limits of reasoning, the power of groupthink, and the effects of deep canvassing.

What do you do outside of work?

I am active in the National Press Club sitting on both the Headliners Committee and the Communicators Committee. 

Otherwise, I enjoy working out in virtual reality, hiking area trails, and cooking dishes from my hometown of New Orleans. 

Reflections on Lunar New Year, Asian Culture, and How to Celebrate 

by Pattie Yu, 1998 WWPR Woman of the Year Award Winner, principal and founder of theYucrew, LLC. 

Today, culture consumed me. I opened up my WaPo to pounding media rhetoric and anti-Asian hate sentiment. I took an early morning walk in the mall well before opening, delighting in the shiny red lanterns hanging at every turn, heartened by companies and brands that genuinely strengthen their relationships and collabs with Asian American communities by cultural latitude vs marcom attitude. But I was also barraged by big brands’ blitz for limited editions or capsule collections around the Year of the Dragon.

I retreated to my home office and was reminded as a public relations professional who focuses often on health platforms of the dire need to close the gap in data collection and reporting of Asian American health disparities. I scanned the latest issue of a professional trade magazine that spotlighted the forgotten but early diversity leadership representation in our field. This month I’m seeing red. 

The irony of codifying the color red – the palette most associated with love but also the color most frequently linked to hatred and anger. The common denominator in both is passion. 

This month my passion is ignited by the Lunar New Year — The Year of the Dragon. 

1998 Woman of the Year Award Winner Pattie Yu with colleagues

Known as the Spring Festival, China’s Lunar New Year is called Chūn jié in Mandarin; while Koreans celebrate Seollal and Vietnamese refer to it as Tết;Filipinos call it Media Noche. It begins with the first new moon on February 10 (varies by culture) and is usually celebrated for multiple days, observed by an estimated 2 billion people. It is one of the most important celebrations of the year among East and Southeast Asians. For me, a Chinese American, 2024 is the Year of the Dragon in the lunar zodiac. 

Lunar New Year is a big holiday in Asian culture across the world and it’s important to note that Asians are one of the fastest growing racial/ethnic segments in the United States. So, how can you get in on the celebration, whether you are or work with one of the estimated 5% Asians in public relations or not? In our nation’s tapestry of many colors, we share a common context – a deep-rooted love for our extended and multigenerational families, an appetite for food that preserves our heritage and enables us to share our cultural traditions around the “family” table, part of our storytelling that is germane to communities of any color. 

In homage to my late parents, I hear their voices guiding me on how to celebrate the Lunar New Year:

  • Fresh Start – Pay off your debts; give your space/place a clean sweep to rid it of inauspicious spirits; wash your hair; do the laundry – before New Year’s but never on the day itself lest you sweep out good luck.
  • Go Red – Not only for Women’s Heart Month and Valentine’s Day but wear something new and red on New Year’s Day for good luck; red is the symbol of joy, happiness, success and good fortune. Decorate your windows with red paper cuttings; hang banner couplets expressing wishes for good health and fortune in your homes and offices.
  • Food – Feast on traditional lucky foods like dumplings (wealth), oranges (abundant happiness), fish (prosperity), and noodles (the longer the better for happiness and longevity) but leave a little on the plate to hope that the new year will have surplus; join colleagues at a nearby Asian restaurant for lunch; or prepare an Asian-inspired dinner at home.
  • Family – If logistics allow, reunite with family and friends for a spread of symbolic dishes that bring good luck and fortune.
  • Festivities – Participate in free Lunar New Year activities that abound in our communities from lion dances at the mall to dragon parades punctuated by firecrackers to ward off evil spirits; from ceremonial teas to teeing up for talks and tours; from cooking demos to dancing with fans, culminating with the Lantern Festival. 

You might even get lucky to get “lucky money,” red envelopes often given by elders to children but sometimes even to employees. Money should be in certain denominations but avoid the number 4 (symbolizing death). 

After my parents passed, I got the slap on the side of the head – the “aha!” moment that we wake up to after loss. I try to be more mindful of those beloved traditions and am heartened to hear that our eight “family” members who are young hard working professionals in New York have already made plans to gather around for what no doubt will be an IG-worthy Chinese New Year’s meal. They may enhance celebrating tradition with emojis and digital platforms but I am convinced they all cherish the essence of our new year. No doubt they will all be wearing red. No virtual transfers of money here. Their traditional paper hong baos (red envelopes) are en route the good old-fashioned way. 

Finally, if the two-week celebration has you yearning for more, consider exploring the small but mighty Chinese American Museum where I volunteer at Chinese American Museum.

In native Mandarin – which I feebly learned in college – I’m wishing you and yours Xīn nián kuài lè!  新年快乐 – Happy New Year! 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pattie Yu is the principal and founder of theYucrew, LLC, a communications firm that has been awarded two Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Silver Anvils for her team’s launch of the first World Thrombrosis Day, amongst many other industry awards. Pattie is a past WWPR Woman of the Year award recipient, was recognized as Inside PR’s “One of the Top 10 Minority Agency Leaders Nationwide,” and has been a judge on several industry award ceremonies, including WWPRs Woman of the Year. Pattie is one of WWPR’s original members and served on the WWPR advisory board. Pattie’s work ranges from developing national public education campaigns to developing media strategies to reach underserved communities for topics including COVID-19 and renewable energy access. Pattie has worked with some of the biggest names in PR, including serving as vice president at Porter Novelli, partner at Fleishman-Hillard, and co-founder of GYMR. She speaks at universities, organizations and associations and volunteers for several organizations. 

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