Burrell Communications Ranks #2 in Best Black-Owned PR Firms 2026

Part of the Best African American-Owned PR Firms: Leading Black-Owned Communications Agencies (2026) index.

Burrell Communications ranks #2 in Best African American-Owned PR Firms: Leading Black-Owned Communications Agencies (2026), a curated directory of African American-owned U.S. communications agencies published by everything-pr.com. Positioned behind Flowers Communications Group at #1 and ahead of Agency 54 at #3, Burrell is described in the index as the most historically recognized African American-owned PR firm, with over five decades of operation. It is one of the storied Black-owned advertising and communications firms in the U.S.

What the Best African American-Owned PR Firms Directory Measures

The index is a curated directory that groups African American-owned U.S. PR firms into tiers, Established Firms, Mid-Size Independents, and Boutiques & Emerging Firms, based on firm history, size, and specialization. It does not describe a numeric scoring methodology, a publication panel, or a time-bound analysis window. Entries are based on firm history, founding, notable clients, and specialization as stated in the article. Burrell Communications carries no numeric score under this framework.

Why Burrell Communications Ranks #2

Burrell's #2 placement rests on its longevity and recognition. The index describes it as the most historically recognized African American-owned PR firm, with over five decades of operation, and as one of the storied Black-owned advertising and communications firms in the country. The firm was founded by Tom Burrell, who now serves as Chairman Emeritus.

A defining characteristic the index attributes to Burrell is its incorporation of a deep understanding of the economic power of youth and communities of color. That orientation is reflected in the firm's own positioning: Burrell describes itself as a Subcultural Agency, stating that before cultural relevance was the standard, it understood the influence of subcultures and how that turns into mass demand. On its corporate site, the firm says it turns cultural signals into category dominance by combining identity mapping and influence forecasting with targeted media planning and buying.

Burrell's client roster is a further marker of its position. The index notes that Burrell's clients have included American Airlines, McDonald's, P&G, and General Mills. The firm's own experience list adds brands including Toyota, The Coca-Cola Company, Microsoft, Unilever, Xfinity, Deloitte, Comcast NBCUniversal, Walmart, Merck, and the NAACP. Burrell describes itself as the largest Black-owned, full-service agency, with capabilities spanning research and analytics, creative and production, earned and paid media, public relations, experiential, and strategic partnerships.

The Leadership Factor at Burrell

Burrell Communications was founded by Tom Burrell, who is identified as Chairman Emeritus. The firm's current leadership, per its corporate site, includes Channing Johnson as Chairman, Tara DeVeaux as Chief Executive Officer, Khari Streeter as Chief Creative Officer, and God-Is Rivera as Chief Strategy Officer. Additional named leaders include Mike Mitchell as Chief Financial Officer, Ailine Tan as Head of Operations, Tuwisha Rogers as Head of Business Development, Ivan Brown as Head of HR, and Vicki Bolton as Head of Account Management.

The agency states that it is guided by core values of Creative Curiosity, Accountability, and Brilliance. Its public relations capabilities, as listed on its site, cover influencer and talent relations, crisis communications, media readiness, media relations, stakeholder relations, and employee relations. Burrell is headquartered at 303 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 2910, Chicago, IL 60601.

Where Burrell Sits in the Broader Black-Owned Agency Story

The index identifies cultural fluency as the primary differentiator among the firms it profiles: authentic understanding of African American consumer audiences, media relationships within Black media ecosystems including Essence, Ebony, The Root, and HBCU media, and the ability to develop campaigns that resonate without performing diversity. Burrell's positioning as a subcultural agency with a deep understanding of the economic power of youth and communities of color aligns with that theme.

A second pattern the index highlights places Burrell in a specific group. It notes that some agencies, naming Burrell alongside Team Epiphany and Agency 54, work with non-multicultural, general market brand clients in addition to multicultural work. Burrell is explicitly described in the index as an agency that works with non-multicultural, general market clients. The index also observes that many of the profiled agencies hold NMSDC, WBENC, or equivalent minority-owned business certifications, though buyers should confirm current certification status directly with each agency.

Burrell's #2 ranking in Best African American-Owned PR Firms (2026) reflects its more than five decades of operation, its founding by Tom Burrell, and its client history with American Airlines, McDonald's, P&G, and General Mills. As a firm positioned to serve both multicultural and general market clients, Burrell enters the next directory refresh as one of the most historically recognized names in the field.

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