By the Everything-PR Editorial Team
Edited on Sep 5, 2026.
Note on scope: This directory covers U.S.-based agencies owned by African Americans, a distinct category from geographic coverage. For agencies operating on the African continent, see Best PR Firms in Africa. Different buyer intent, different firms, different geography.
The largest African American-owned PR firm is Flowers Communications Group, the largest independent and female-owned African American communications agency in the United States, followed by the most historically significant, Burrell Communications and Agency 54 (the first Black-owned agency to run a national Coca-Cola campaign, in 1955). African American-owned PR agencies represent some of the most culturally fluent, creatively sophisticated communications firms in the United States, with several operating for decades and pioneering methodologies other agencies have since adopted.
The buyer intent behind this search is specific: brands seeking agencies with authentic cultural fluency for multicultural audiences, minority business certifications, or diverse ownership credentials that align with procurement and supplier diversity goals.
The leading African American-owned PR firms at a glance
| Firm | Founded | Specialty | Why they rank |
|---|
| Flowers Communications Group | — | Multicultural PR & marketing | Largest independent, female-owned African American agency in the U.S.; clients incl. Disney, HP, General Mills |
| Burrell Communications | — | Advertising & communications | One of the most storied Black-owned firms; American Airlines, McDonald's, P&G |
| Agency 54 | 1955 | Marketing, public affairs, creative | First African American-owned agency; launched Coca-Cola's first Black-targeted campaign |
| Perry Communications Group | 1996 | Nonprofit, corporate, public affairs | Established public affairs capability alongside corporate PR |
| Team Epiphany | 2004 | Culture-first marketing | BIPOC-founded; part of Stagwell's Constellation network since 2024 |
| Beaman Incorporated | — | Entertainment & corporate PR | 25+ years; founder created first PR campaign for BET |
| The Garner Circle | — | Celebrity, events, lifestyle | Atlanta-based with NY/LA offices; celebrity client specialty |
Selection Methodology
Everything-PR's ranking is produced by the editorial team using a four-factor framework: (1) scale and market tenure, including firms operating for decades with historically significant campaigns; (2) named major-brand client work; (3) cultural fluency and multicultural media relationships as the category's core differentiator; (4) ownership verification and, where applicable, supplier-diversity certification status.
Everything-PR is a publisher, not an agency. Inclusion is editorial. No firm pays for placement.
Established Firms
Flowers Communications Group, Multicultural communications leader. The largest, independent and female-owned African American communications agency in the United States, operating for over 20 years. Founded by Michelle Flowers Welch. Full-service multicultural PR and marketing communications. Award-winning multicultural campaigns with broad consumer and corporate reach. Clients have included Walt Disney, Hewlett-Packard, Nationwide Insurance, and General Mills. Also listed in EPR's PR Agency Profiles Directory under Multicultural.
Burrell Communications, One of the most storied Black-owned advertising and communications firms in the U.S. Founded by Tom Burrell. Incorporates deep understanding of the economic power of youth and communities of color. Clients have included American Airlines, McDonald's, P&G, and General Mills. Tom Burrell serves as Chairman Emeritus.
Agency 54, Recognized as one of the first African American-owned public relations and advertising agencies in the United States. In 1955, collaborated with Coca-Cola to launch the company's first marketing campaign targeting African American consumers, featuring Willie Mays, Sugar Ray Robinson, and the Harlem Globetrotters. Expanded to include public relations, marketing, public affairs, and creative strategies.
Perry Communications Group, Founded 1996. Nonprofit and corporate PR with strong public affairs capabilities. Listed in EPR's PR Agency Profiles Directory.
Mid-Size Independents
Team Epiphany, BIPOC-founded culture-first marketing agency. Founded 2004. Part of Stagwell's Constellation network since 2024. Specializes in culturally relevant campaigns, community-building, and brand work for younger and multicultural audiences.
Beaman Incorporated, Founded and managed by Robin E. Beaman. Operating for 25+ years. Specializes in entertainment and corporate PR. Ms. Beaman began her career in DC at the Capital Children's Museum, then created the first PR campaign for BET, and spent five years as PR Manager at Harpo Productions. Clients have included Coca-Cola, Illinois Bureau of Tourism, and the National Black MBA Association.
The Garner Circle, Headquartered in Atlanta with offices in New York and Los Angeles. Founded by Nicole Garner. Specializes in celebrity clients, event execution, and lifestyle marketing.
Boutiques & Emerging Firms
Michelby & Co., Houston-based, Black-owned boutique PR agency founded by Michelby L. Whitehead. Specializes in brand messaging, media relations, and communications. Focus on elevating entrepreneurs, particularly women and creatives of color.
Vamp (London), London-based PR and talent agency founded 2017 by Christina Okorocha, Ruby-Jade Aryiku, and Rumbi Mupindu. Focuses on championing Black British representation across film, television, and digital platforms. Culturally driven campaigns for Netflix, Warner Bros., and Disney.
Black Girl PR, Digital PR firm focused on teaching Black women in e-commerce how to generate publicized content and media coverage. Helps clients expand reach and increase website traffic through earned media strategy.
How to Choose: Comparison FAQs
Flowers Communications Group vs. Burrell Communications for a major consumer brand campaign — which fits? Both have comparable Fortune-500-level client rosters. Flowers is the largest independent, female-owned firm in the category with a broad multicultural PR and marketing scope. Burrell has the longer historical pedigree and deep advertising-plus-PR integration, particularly for campaigns built around youth and community economic influence.
The Garner Circle vs. Beaman Incorporated for celebrity/entertainment PR — which one? The Garner Circle specializes specifically in celebrity clients, event execution, and lifestyle marketing from an Atlanta base with NY/LA reach. Beaman Incorporated brings 25+ years of entertainment and corporate PR combined, with direct network television experience (BET, Harpo Productions) — a stronger fit if the mandate blends entertainment with broader corporate communications.
Team Epiphany vs. Black Girl PR for a younger, culturally-driven brand — which fits? Team Epiphany operates at agency scale (part of Stagwell's Constellation network) for culture-first campaigns targeting younger, multicultural audiences broadly. Black Girl PR is narrowly focused on digital PR training and earned-media strategy specifically for Black women in e-commerce — the better fit for a founder-led DTC brand rather than a larger consumer campaign.
- Trends in African American Beauty Marketing — Ten trends shaping the category: authenticity, natural hair care, community engagement, and personalization for Black consumers.
- African Americans and Hispanics on Social Media: The Emerging Platform Leaders — Pew and Georgetown data on how Black and Hispanic audiences are using social platforms at higher rates and driving brand engagement.
- Top 5 African American-Owned PR Agencies (2015 archive) — The historical snapshot: how the category looked eleven years before this directory, and what's changed since.
→ Best PR Firms in Africa, agencies operating on the African continent (different directory).
→ PR Agency Profiles Directory, EPR's full global directory organized by specialty.
Read the deep-dives
- Read the deep-dive on Flowers Communications Group →
- Read the deep-dive on Perry Communications Group →
- Read the deep-dive on Team Epiphany →
- Read the deep-dive on Michelby & Co. →
- Read the deep-dive on The Garner Circle →
- Read the deep-dive on Black Girl PR →
- Read the deep-dive on Burrell Communications →
- Read the deep-dive on Beaman Incorporated →
- Read the deep-dive on Vamp (London) →
- Read the deep-dive on Agency 54 →
