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Home • Entertainment

Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Publicists

From influential dealmakers to a new era of leading ladies, they are forces to reckon with in film and TV—and they’re making things happen
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Publicists
By Aramide Tinubu · Updated March 9, 2022

Just a few short years ago, the entertainment industry was stifling creatives of color. Now, Black women in powerful positions—from directors’ chairs to C-suites—are presenting fresh narratives and taking their rightful place in the field. As Hollywood catches up to our expertise, we’re showing the world who we really are.

Meet the publicists who are setting the standard today.

01
Vanessa Anderson
Founder & President, AM PR Group. Known for: Launching a PR firm with A-list clientele in music, TV, film and the arts.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Publicists
02
Shante Bacon
Founder & CEO, 135th Street Agency Known for: Experiential marketing campaigns targeting multicultural youth.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Publicists
03
Shannon Barr
CEO/Owner of Strategic Public Relations Known For: Representing clients in TV, film, music and corporate entertainment.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Publicists
04
Jackie Bazan
Founder & CEO, BazanPR & BazanED Known for: Elevating the artistry and awareness of underrepresented talent across film, TV and theater.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Publicists
05
Staci R. Collins Jackson
Founder and CEO, The Collins Jackson Agency & Owner, The Collins Jackson Agency Known For: Running unit publicity on films such as Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and The Mothership. Collins Jackson also reps top-tier producers.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Publicists
06
Meredith O’Sullivan
Co-founder & Co-CEO, The Lede Company Known for: A roster of A-list award-
winning talent.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Publicists
07
Sonya Ede-Williams
Founder, SYStrategies & PR Known for: Multicultural marketing expertise on films such as Black Panther and Coming 2 America.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Publicists
08
Syreta Oglesby
Founder, SJO Public Relations. Known For: Managing publicity campaigns across critically acclaimed films and hit TV series.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Publicists
09
Ellene Miles
SVP, Global Intersectional Marketing, Sony Pictures Entertainment Known For: Campaigns that focus on engaging LGBTQ+, AAPI, Latin American and Black audiences.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Publicists