Mia Porter Named Porter Novelli’s 2023 Erica Smith Future Leaders Fellow

NEW YORK, October 2, 2023?– Porter Novelli, the strategic communications company, today announced that Mia Porter, a 2023 Graduate of the University of Miami, has been named the 2023 Erica Smith Future Leaders Fellow.

The Erica Smith Future Leaders Fellowship is an immersive, 3-month fellowship focused on supporting justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) initiatives for Porter Novelli and its clients. The fellowship was established in 2022 to honor the life, legacy and light of Erica Smith – a late Porter Novelli colleague.

Porter will receive coaching and mentorship from Demeika Wheaton, Senior Vice President and Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Leader at Porter Novelli, as well as direct engagement with several other senior leaders. She will additionally travel to various Porter Novelli offices to experience and engage with JEDI work across the U.S.

“This fellowship is designed to inspire, prepare and create career-defining experiences for the next generation of change makers and storytellers in communications, as well as create a more equitable opportunity for diverse professionals beyond a traditional PR internship,” notes Wheaton. “We are thrilled to welcome Mia as our 2023 fellow.”

Active in her church and community, Porter earned a BA in Africana Studies and Sociology at the University of Miami, with Minors in Management and Communications. There, she earned a broad range of honors including da Vinci Scholar, President's Honor Roll, Provost’s Honor Roll, Dean's List, Alpha Lambda Delta, Alpha Kappa Delta, UNCF Panda Cares Scholar, Toyota Making Life Easier Scholar and Neiman Marcus Scholar.

?Her impressive list of extracurricular activities includes stints as the President of the National Council of Negro Women, as well as Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Orange Umbrella Miami, a student run consultancy firm at the University of Miami. She has served as a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Intern at Warner Brothers Discovery and Planet Labs, as well as a Talent Acquisition Intern at TikTok.

“During my fellowship at Porter Novelli, I am looking forward to gaining a deeper understanding of the justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion principles that are foundational in the world of public relations and communication,” says Porter. "The ability to gain hands-on, practical experience, as well as mentorship is invaluable, and I am looking forward to expanding my knowledge and skills with the company!"

Honoring the Legacy of Erica Smith

Erica Smith was introduced to the communications industry through The LAGRANT Foundation Scholarship program and was known across the Porter Novelli network and beyond as an influence for good – speaking up for all that was just and right. She was a storyteller and voice of reason and lived her life with a sense of adventure, curiosity and courage. Outside of work, she strived to empower young female communicators and was relentless in her advocacy for equity and social justice. Porter Novelli aims to embody her spirit through this fellowship program.

“Erica Smith was a fierce champion for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, and this fellowship is just one of the ways her legacy lives on,” said Conroy Boxhill, President of Porter Novelli’s U.S. market. “We continue to draw inspiration from Erica and look forward to helping Mia, another outstanding young professional, to make a positive impact on the industry and the world.”

Program Details

Visit the PN?careers page to apply and?click here?for a presentation to learn more about the Erica Smith Future Leaders Fellowship. Please email questions directly to [email protected].

About Porter Novelli

Porter Novelli is the communications company built on purpose to do business better. Combining a global presence with local insights, we shape reputation and accelerate growth for an influential and diverse client base via four key offerings: brand growth, corporate counsel, employee experience, and purpose & impact. Working across a spectrum of industries, our professionals apply incisive thinking to solve complex problems, mine deeply for data-driven insights, push the boundaries of creativity, and provide clients with expert strategy and tactical support. For more than a half-century, this multidisciplinary approach has helped our clients define and achieve their purpose and propel them towards their highest potential. Porter Novelli is a member of Omnicom (NYSE: OMC). Learn more www.porternovelli.com.

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