Inez Y. Kaiser GKC-PRSA Memorial Scholarship Fund

BACKGROUND:
Dr. Inez Y. Kaiser (1918-2016) of Kansas City, Kansas was the first Black woman to own a national public relations firm with national clients, the first Black woman to join the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) in 1966 and a counselor to two presidents.1,2

The Greater Kansas City Chapter of PRSA (GKC-PRSA), celebrates Dr. Kaiser’s national legacy of leadership, public relations excellence, diversity within the communications field and community volunteerism by offering its 10th scholarship in 2024 and increased the award to $5,000. The 2024 scholarship will be awarded to Black college students nationwide of junior or senior level who demonstrate the same character and skills as Inez Kaiser.

To date, a total of $22,500 has been awarded. A total of nine scholars from Central Missouri University, K-State University, Pittsburg State (her alma mater), University of Kansas, and the University of Texas at Austin have received scholarships since 2020.

Will you be the 10th Scholar? Scholars will be promoted by the chapter for their accomplishment and the opportunity to network with other scholars and professionals to enhance career opportunities. Apply today!

ELIGIBILITY:

  1. One scholarship is open to any African American/Black junior or first semester seniors registered and enrolled in a public relations or communications curricular program at an accredited college or university nationwide.
  2. Applicants must have earned at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale overall.
  3. Applications will be qualitatively scored with points awarded according to the applicant’s leadership and commitment to public relations excellence and volunteerism, which were hallmarks of Inez Kaiser’s legacy.
  4. To honor Dr. Kaiser’s hometown of Kansas City, Missouri and the PRSA organization, judges will award the following additional points:
  • One additional scoring point to applicants who are PRSSA members.
  • One additional point to applicants who serve in PRSSA chapter leadership roles.
  • One additional to residents of Kansas or Missouri.
    Please note, anyone can apply for this scholarship, living in Kansas or Missouri is not a requirement to be considered.

MORE ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP AND INEZ KAISER 2
This endowment fund was established in 2021 by the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (GKC-PRSA) to honor Inez Y. Kaiser, a hometown national public relations pioneer.
Dr. Inez Y. Kaiser was born in Kansas City, Kansas in 1918 and remained a lifelong resident in the Kansas City area. She was an extraordinary businesswoman, a leader, and a passionate volunteer.

After graduating from Pittsburg (Kan.) State University, 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.
In 1957, she founded Inez Kaiser & Associates. By 1963, she had located her office in downtown Kansas City – unheard of for a Black businesswoman at the time. She went on to many firsts and was the recipient of many awards over her lifetime.

She was an early celebrity author, appearing on Today with Barbara Walters with her “Soul Food Cookery” cookbook. In recognition of her legacy, thanks to her son Rick Kaiser, her cookbook is now on display in the Smithsonian Museum’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.3
Sources
1,2 The Inez Y. Kaiser Archive at The Museum of Public Relations; The Public Relations Society of America Membership Records
3 The National Museum of African American History and Culture

Award
1 Scholarship of $5,000
Deadline
04/15/2025
Supplemental Questions
  1. Titles of communications courses/workshops taken:
  2. Titles of public relations courses taken or now being taken:
  3. Leadership in PRSSA and other areas:
  4. Practical experience: (internships, work/service, social media, etc.)
  5. Volunteer activities:
  6. Any other factors for consideration by the judges:
  7. Provide a reference from an academic or professional advisor.
  8. Provide a summary of no more than 500 words of the applicant’s commitment to public relations, a description of studies, leadership, volunteerism and how these experiences will help the candidate contribute to a more diverse public relations profession.
  9. Submit a minimum of two but no more than five student work samples and include the applicant's role if a group project (content posts, social media campaigns, press releases, research documents, etc.)
    • 1. Work sample (PDF or Document file)
    • 2. Work sample (PDF or Document file)
    • 3. Work Sample (image file)
    • 4. Work Sample (image file)
    • 5. Work Sample (url)
  10. Show 4 more