More than 200 public relations professionals belong to PRSA Nashville, representing a wide variety of roles in various industries. As an organization rooted in advocacy, professional excellence, educational opportunities and leadership, we celebrate the diverse and meaningful makeup of our chapter.
For February’s Member Spotlight, we are excited to learn a little bit more about Ian Dinkins, APR.
How long have you been a PRSA member?
I’ve been a member of PRSA Nashville since 2017 and a member of NSPRA (the national school communicator association) since 2024.
What do you value about your PRSA membership?Â
The people! Since joining PRSA Nashville, I’ve been able to expand my network and meet so many other professionals. Joining the chapter has helped me continue to learn about the profession and grow in my own career.
What is your current role and what does your day-to-day look like?
I’m currently the Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications at University School of Nashville. I like to think of my role as a reporter, and my beat is the school. That involves managing our social media accounts, developing newsletters for our various publics, and sharing the stories of this wonderful school with the community.
Do you have a specific interest area in public relations/communications that you feel professionally passionate about?
While I like to think of myself as a jack-of-all-trades, I always love working on community engagement projects. It sounds simple, but I believe that some of the best ways to learn about a public or even a person is to just have a conversation. As the industry (and the world) continues to move into the digital age, taking things offline and connecting with your community face-to-face becomes even more important and special to me.
You recently achieved your Accreditation in Public Relations (APR). Congratulations! What advice would you give to someone interested in beginning this process?Â
Thanks! Getting my APR was definitely a laborious process, but I came out on the other side as a much more confident and knowledgeable professional. The first tip I have for anyone interested is to reach out to PRSA Nashville APR Chair (and my boss!), Juanita Traughber. She uses the “APR Ready to Roll” program for candidates that helps you along the process. It includes study classes, mentor matching, and a community of other people aiming to get their APR. To anyone on the fence, go for it! The knowledge you’ve already gained throughout your career provides a great foundation for your APR journey.
In learning a little more about you, I learned that you have ties to the Civil Rights movement in Nashville through both your grandfather and your father. February is observed nationally as Black History Month. What does Black History month mean to you?Â
Black History Month has always held a special place in my heart. Not just because of what members of my family have done, but because of what so many others have done to build a more equitable society. We’ve been able to make so much progress as a country because of everyday heroes like Z. Alexander Looby, Diane Nash, and so many more. Although there is still work to be done, Black History Month means stopping for a moment to recognize how far we’ve come and highlight the people who have gotten us here.
And finally: what’s your go-to restaurant in Nashville?Â
As a Nashville native, I have LOTS of opinions here. First, I have to recognize a few of my childhood favorites that have closed in recent years: Rotiers, Manny’s House of Pizza, and Hermitage Cafe. One of my childhood favorites that still operates is Arnold’s Country Kitchen. It’s a great place to take someone from out of town who is looking for a great Southern meal. It has a different menu every day, so there’s plenty of variety, but everything you eat there is delicious.