TAMPA, FLORIDA – More than 50% of Tampa’s businesses are minority-owned, but when it comes to the media coverage they receive, they’re greatly underrepresented. A new public relations agency is looking to change that. After recognizing a lack of representation in the media, Founders Danielle Bayard Jackson and Josh Talkington left their jobs at a national non-profit to begin STRIDE Media Group, a PR agency on a mission to diversify the media landscape.
“Minority-owned businesses face a whole slew of challenges. But elevating their visibility is the small part we can play in making sure they get the exposure they deserve,” says Jackson.
As a former journalist, Talkington noticed there was a lack of diversity among the people reporting the news and wondered what he could do to help even the playing field for underrepresented groups.
“Newsrooms should look like the populations they serve,” says Talkington. “Women and minorities are often used as sources only if the outlet needs that specific point of view in the story, like with Black History Month or International Women’s Day, for example. But why not quote an entrepreneur simply because they are experts in their fields?”
This eventually led STRIDE’s founders to reserve the bulk of their services for minorities and females. Initially concerned they would lose business by only serving this particular niche, the agency noticed that business actually increased. Underrepresented groups felt a sense of understanding in working with an agency that champions diversity.
The media group is hosting an event in the fall to pair business owners with journalists looking to expand their source pools; offering a scholarship next year for Black and Hispanic students entering the Communications field; leading workshops to teach business owners how to get their own media coverage; and creating a podcast to equip entrepreneurs who want to increase their visibility.
ABOUT STRIDE MEDIA GROUP: STRIDE Media Group was created with the mission of helping minority-owned businesses, female entrepreneurs, and companies passionate about diversity get the attention they deserve. STRIDE’s services include media relations, video production, consulting, and copywriting. To learn more please visit StrideMediaGroup.com.