Join PRSA Memphis and five Black industry experts for an enlightening virtual panel on Feb. 28 to celebrate Black History Month. Gain invaluable insights into agency life and the unique experiences of Black professionals in the communications field. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with leading voices and celebrate their contributions to our industry.

**Upon registration, attendees will receive a Zoom link in advance of the event**

Moderator: Kinnawa Kaitibi (KQ Communications)

Panelists: Renee Malone, APR (KQ Communications), Brittney Adu (Memphis Brand), Gina Hayes (Archer), and Kenneth Worles (New Build Creative)

Renee Malone, APR

Renee Malone is the founding partner and president of KQ Communications. Known as the organization’s guru of strategic communications planning and crisis media, she is Accredited in Public Relations, certified in Crisis Communication and an Illinois native with an undergraduate degree in Communications and an MBA with a concentration in Marketing. Before co-founding the agency, she worked as a broadcast news reporter and anchor, and public information officer for a school district. In her role at KQ, Renee has spent over 16 years leading award-winning projects for nonprofit, business and government clients. She has led the firm to become one of the largest Black-owned PR firms in the Southeast. Renee has received awards from the PR News, Public Relations Society of America-Memphis, Georgia Chapters, and the National School Public Relations Association. Renee was most recently named the 2019 Executive of the Year by the PRSA, Memphis Chapter; MBJ Superwoman in Business in 2021 and a two-time finalist for the MBJ Executive of the Year Award (2017 & 2021). She also serves several nonprofit and business-related organizations. Renee is married to Dr. F. Kevin Malone, and they have two children, Kevin Jr. & Dominique, and a bonus son, Yannick.

Brittney Adu 

Brittney Adu currently serves as the Communications Director on the Memphis Brand team where she seamlessly bridges online and offline connections with We Are Memphis' diverse audience while also developing social and general communications strategies for brands across the city and country. Brittney first honed her skills as a PR manager for Memphis Tourism, helping create impactful experiences for incoming media that garnered national and international acclaim plus resulted in millions in ad value and widespread readership. 

Gina Hayes

Gina Hayes currently works at Archer, a full-service advertising agency located in downtown Memphis, as a Senior Public Relations Specialist. Over the last five years, she has worked with brands like Palm Beach Tan, Terminix, Wind Creek Hospitality, Hyatt Hotels, Virbac and Memphis Tourism. She primarily monitors and operates influencer and brand ambassador programs, builds campaign strategies and develops media and marketing materials like press releases, pitches and social media content.

In addition, she acts as the Employee Resource Group leader for “HUES,” an ERG that supports employees of color and allies. Within this role, Gina created the agency’s first Black History Month programming and spearheaded events for Asian-American & Pacific Islander month, National Hispanic Heritage Month and Juneteenth that featured local changemakers like Cynthia Daniels, Chef Tam and David Quarles IV.

Kenneth Worles 

Kenneth Worles is a Co-Founder at New Build Creative - a storytelling studio, combines seasoned marketers and visual storytellers with extensive real estate industry experience to craft authentic and compelling visual narratives that drive action and unlock limitless possibilities for your real estate brand.

Before New Build Creative, he founded, then recently sold Three(i) Creative Communications - a social-impact marketing agency helping causes, campaigns, and corporations improve engagement and community relationships. Outside of NBC, Kenneth - with his wife - runs a real estate investment company that revitalize blighted areas into vibrant staples for surrounding communities. Worles holds a Bachelor of Mass Communications degree from Middle Tennessee State University. Kenneth is interested in advisory boards, speaking opportunities on marketing and storytelling, and community engagement.

Kinnawa Kaitibi - Moderator

Kinnawa Kaitibi is a first-generation native of Memphis with roots in Sierra Leone, West Africa. With over ten years of experience within the communication/PR industry, Kinnawa has established himself as a professional with great knowledge and expertise. 

Kinnawa has gained valuable experience in municipal government, agency public relations, and celebrity entertainment roles. He has always been passionate about working with and learning about different clients and their unique challenges. This experience has helped him develop a strong understanding of the industry and the ability to think creatively to solve problems.

Kinnawa works on various creative projects in his spare time, such as producing short films and managing musical artists. He is always seeking new ways to express himself and tell stories. He values spending time with family and friends and is known for his positive attitude and willingness to help others. He aims to achieve his goals and positively impact the world by constantly improving himself and assisting others. Currently, Kinnawa is the Senior Multimedia Content Manager at KQ Communications, a PR and branding firm, and is also the Owner of AfricanThunder, Inc., a media production company. Kinnawa is currently attending Arkansas State for his Masters in Communication Studies.