News

President's Corner September 2026

Welcome back, PRSA Richmond!

I hope you all have had a reenergizing summer. There is something special about September as the shift from summer’s longer days give way to a new pace. We return to classrooms, conference rooms, routines and, in our case, our monthly chapter luncheons creating an opportunity to reconnect with one another. And our fall programming is more than a return to monthly luncheons. It is a return to each other through the conversations that challenge us, the relationships that sustain us, the ideas that stretch us and the community that makes PRSA Richmond special.

September is also National Preparedness Month, so we thought it was only fitting to kick off our fall programming with a conversation about Crisis Management in an Ever-Changing Media Landscape with Brian Ellis. Our rapidly evolving media landscape is changing how organizations must prepare for and respond to potential crises. It is more important than ever to understand how and where your stakeholders consume breaking news so you can help your leaders identify the immediate steps necessary to effectively navigate whatever challenges may be on the horizon. Register today and join us for this timely conversation.

As we move into a new season, I invite you to bring your full self back to the table. Whether it’s an idea, a question or even inviting a colleague who has been looking for community, I challenge you to be fully present and engaged with us. Because, as our 2026 “A.I.” theme reminds us, the future of our profession will not be shaped by technology alone. It will be shaped by how we interact, how authentically we include others and how courageously we adapt. That thought feels particularly relevant as we enter September and prepare to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, beginning September 15. It is an opportunity to recognize the histories, cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities and to consider how the richness of our collective stories strengthens the communities we serve.

This fall, let’s continue building a PRSA Richmond community where Aligned Interactions, Authentic Inclusion and Adaptive Innovation are not just pillars of a theme, but practices we live every day. I’m so excited to welcome you all back and look forward to all that we will learn, create and accomplish together in the months ahead.

With connection + intention,
Kenita B. Matthews, APR