This year, World PR Day, with the theme “Building Bridges & Navigating Polarisation”, reminds us that public relations isn’t just about branding — it’s about building trust, holding space, and reshaping how stories are told. To mark the occasion, we’re spotlighting 10 phenomenal women in PR across Africa and the diaspora, who are not only excelling in their craft but using it to uplift, amplify, and connect communities.
Here are the women building bridges, changing narratives, and redefining what it means to lead in PR:
1. Nantale Muwonge — Founder & CEO, Black Girl PR®
Named “Communications Professional of the Year” at the 2024 American Business Awards, Nantale is a powerhouse in PR for Black women-led businesses. Her platform has boosted visibility for over 5,300 brands, increasing traffic and sales by up to 60%. She’s also received the Social Change Maker of the Year award and was named a “Marketing Icon & Trailblazer” by LinkedIn.
2. Phylicia Fant — Founder, The Purple Agency & Head of Music Partnerships, Amazon Music
With a career that spans Columbia Records to Amazon Music, Phylicia has led campaigns for icons like Beyoncé, Solange, and Lil Nas X. A two-time Billboard Women in Music honoree, her work blends entertainment, strategy, and cultural impact with ease.
3. Candice Nicole — Founder, Candice Nicole PR
Listed among HuffPost’s “Top 25 African American Publicists,” Candice Nicole is a respected voice in the industry. Her agency has built a reputation for representing purpose-driven brands while spotlighting emerging voices in entertainment and business.
4. Ah-Niyah Gold — Founder, A Gold Consulting
From Broadway to beauty PR, Ah-Niyah Gold created her boutique agency to serve fashion-forward and Black women-led brands. Known for securing placements in top-tier outlets and fashion shows, she’s a fresh face pushing the industry toward inclusivity.
5. Vanessa Amadi-Ogbonna — Founder, VA-PR
British-Nigerian and faith-driven, Vanessa is the longtime manager to Tiwa Savage and has represented global icons like Whitney Houston, Usher, and Davido. She played a key role in securing Tiwa’s international deal with Universal Music and has spent over two decades building a respected, God-led, impact-driven presence in global entertainment PR and talent management.
6. Mimi Kalinda — Group CEO, ACG; Senior Comms Lead, Bezos Earth Fund
Named Best PR Leader in Africa (2022), Mimi’s work spans global masterclasses, strategy leadership at the Bezos Earth Fund. She was recognised as “International African Woman of the Year” at the Women4Africa Awards in 2016 and was listed among Forbes Afrique’s “40 Under 40” in 2018. She continues to lead one of Africa’s top communications consultancies.
7. Esther Cobbah — Founder, Stratcomm Africa
With over 40 years in the industry, Esther is the president of the Institute of PR Ghana and founder of Stratcomm Africa. She was named Ghana’s “Woman of the Year” in 2022 and is the author of Dare to Be — a book inspiring a new generation of storytellers.
8. Rania El-Rafie — Vice President, PR & Strategic Comms, APO Group
A recognised voice in African PR, Rania was named one of #Nzinga50’s “50 Remarkable African Women in Communication & Media.” Her leadership at APO Group has helped shape narratives across the continent.
9. Mary Njoki — Founder & CEO, Glass House PR
A visionary since 2012, Mary Njoki has scaled her agency into one of East Africa’s most respected. She’s received the ‘Young African Women Leadership Excellence” Award and was listed among Africa’s Top “40 Under 40 Women Leaders.”
10. Mafue Forchu — Co-Founder, ImageNation PR
Mafue co-founded one of Cameroon’s leading PR agencies, running campaigns for brands across energy, health, fashion, and more. With a mission to elevate the country’s image, her work merges narrative strategy with national pride.
From music powerhouses to nation-branding strategists, these women are building more than buzz — they’re building trust, opportunity, and legacy. On this World PR Day, we honour their work and the bridges they continue to build in a world that needs connection more than ever.
About The Author
