PCDC marks 20 years of collaboration, progressive impact
Progressive Communicators of DC (PCDC) cheers in 20 years as an influential collaborative hub for progressive communication professionals in and around the nation’s capital. What began as a modest Yahoo Group has grown into a vibrant, all-volunteer network that today includes almost 2,000 members.. On Tuesday, March 3, a vibrant crowd gathered at GMMB’s headquarters to celebrate.
Founder Susan Roth describes PCDC’s mission as “to make the world a better place by helping communications professionals do their jobs better.” On the PCDC list serve, members exchange strategies, media contacts, job leads, campaign ideas, and resources. “We’re not here to debate each other,” Roth said. “We’re here to help each other.”
Roth credits PCDC’s longevity to its early co-founders such as Margot Friedman, Brenda Foster, Brandi Horton, Patricia Brooks, Peter Kelley, Alan Rosenblatt and Suzanne Turner. “They said yes before there was a roadmap. They created the roadmap.”
PCDC is free and relies on communicators’ cooperation and respect for its guidelines, which encourage sharing and prohibit soliciting. Members include agency staff, advocacy organization in-house teams, consultancies, and independent practices. Unlike other PR organizations, PCDC was formed exclusively to serve ‘progressive’ communicators, people working in issues such as social justice, civil rights, health, education and positive social change.
At the anniversary celebration, current steering committee member Lauren Lawson Zilai highlighted the significance of PCDC’s anniversary, marking “two decades of purpose, passion and powerful storytelling,” its expansion during COVID when people were craving connections, and the constant change in the communications field.
“PCDC has adapted, led, and continued to equip our community with the tools and insights needed to navigate complexity,” she said. “We built partnerships and relationships and supported each other during some of the most challenging times of our lives and careers…and we definitely need this community now.”
As for the future, Roth predicted the group will continue to expand, and play a role in “bringing back democracy.”
“Our profession is getting the word out,” she said. “I hope we continue to welcome new members and help each other—especially this year. It is so important.”
PHOTO Credit James Minichello Photography
PCDC original and current steering committee members at the 20th anniversary celebration: L to R: Brenda Foster, Ashley Dobson, Seth Jacobs, Michelle Cragle, Elaine De Leon, Margot Friedman, Peter Kelley, Susan Roth, Lauren Lawson-Zilai, Suzanne Turner, Dr. Alan Rosenblatt. Not shown from the original founders: Brandi Horton and Patricia Brooks.
