by LCI’s Brianne Murphy Miller With Brett Andrews, CEO of San Francisco-based PRC
Longtime San Francisco-based LCI client PRC transforms lives and communities struggling with addiction, HIV/AIDS, mental health challenges, under or unemployment and homelessness. PRC serves all communities and gender identities throughout San Francisco. During Black History Month, LCI’s Brianne Murphy Miller recently zoomed with LCI client Brett Andrews (CEO of PRC) to talk about how this month can be a starting point for deeper conversations and communications about the African-American experience.
Watch our video (below).
Got a comment? Please comment below or email Brianne at: [email protected].
Related Articles:
The Urgency of Now by PRC’s Brett Andrews – San Francisco Business Times Leadership Trust (2/21)
Communications Do’s and Don’ts for Black History Month – Stratacomm (2/27/20)
Brett Andrews Interview Vlog Transcript:
Brianne: Hello, Brett, and welcome to the Landis Communications vlog/newsletter.
Brett: This is so exciting. Brianne, thank you for having me.
Brianne: Thank you. So, we wanted to just take a few minutes to ask you a few questions. PRC is a Landis Communications client, so why don’t you introduce yourself and tell us what PRC is?
Brett: Sure. I’m Brett Andrews, and I am thrilled to be the CEO of PRC. PRC is a non-profit that provides an array of behavioral health and HIV services to some of San Francisco’s most vulnerable people.
Brianne: And we love working with you.
Brett: Thank you.
Brianne: So, we’re kicking off Black History Month, and we wanted to talk a little bit about the political scene and what that means with Black History Month and what the new administration is going to mean for social services agencies and non-profits like yourself. So first, let’s talk a little bit about the new administration. How does the new Biden administration affect the communications functions of companies like yours? What do you see as a trend or an opportunity now that maybe didn’t exist a few years ago?
Brett: Four years ago, it was very difficult because I’m thinking of my undocumented brothers and sisters. During that time, they were the first population that really was under siege. Under the new administration, I’m thrilled to say that we can communicate to them that, one, we’re still here – what a success that is over four years – and that it is important for [them] to access the services that [they’ve] always been accessing. Some of them have not actually been accessing those services for fear they would be deported. It’s really important for us to get out our communication of continuity, client-centered, culturally appropriate – Please, we are here for you. I just think that it’s important for the community to know that the non-profit community is resilient and consistent.
Brianne: Excellent. As we go into Black History Month, we have spent the past year really talking about systemic racism on a societal level. How do you think that communicators, whether it’s people who like me who work on an agency side and my whole life as communications or organizations like yours, how can we use Black History Month as a jumping-off point to have a little bit of a deeper conversation?
Brett: Yeah, well, you know, as I think about Black History Month, I’m glad that it exists. I’m glad there is a month where we get to recognize and acknowledge African American contributions to the nation. I will say in addressing racism, racism is a man-made and a manufactured construct. Part of that construct – why it’s been able to be unfortunately so successful – is that it kept people unknowledgeable about contributions being made, the full history and story of the nation. So I recommend to everyone, not just make it a month, but find ways of codifying and elevating and unearthing the contributions that African-Americans have made and put them in the history books, put them in our periodicals, in our publications. I think the more we know about the African American community, the higher the value will be. That’s the beautiful side to Black Lives Matter, not just because of discrimination and police brutality, but because of the contributions that they’ve made to the nation. Every time I think about that, the ways in which we have contributed to the nation, it helps us, and it helps us all.
Brianne: Well, I hope that we are going into a hopeful time. I feel it. I hope that you feel it. I know the folks PRC do such incredible work and we’re so thankful to you for taking a few minutes today to talk to us and allow us to learn more not only about what PRC is and what PRC stands for, but how we all fit into this jigsaw puzzle of the world. So, thank you, Brett Andrews.
Brett: It is my pleasure, Brianne. Thank you for having me.
I’m thinking the “Brett and Brianne Show” should go on the road…
Thanks, Brett, for participating!
Brett: thank you so much for contributing to LCI’s blog this week. You are correct: Black History Month shouldn’t be just a month, it should be a new way that we treat and respect each other throughout the entire year. And yes, our undocumented brothers and sisters have been “under siege” as you say it and with the new Administration, there are assurances to that community that resources like PRC are here to help, without retribution. Please keep up the good work! Cheers, David
You two definitely have a great groove! Thanks, Brett, for your continuing insights and energy around elevating our collective dialogue. I completely agree that the contributions of African Americans, and other people of color have been unrepresented in both our history books and in our current awareness for far too long. We’re all the poorer for that absence, and I look forward to a future story of our country that’s more inclusive, honest and richer.
Brett, I think you brought up many great points. African American contributions should be recognized, celebrated and put in our history books. While it is great that we have an entire month dedicated to learning about such contributions, like David, I wish it became common practice to recognize that influence on our country year-round. Thank you for sharing!
This video interview is ready for prime time! Brett – your background and perspectives are so interesting and important. Brianne, you are a great interviewer. Do more of these please!