PR Week’s 2016 Communicator of the Year Award given to Senator Clementa Pinckney
April 1, 2016
Barry Caldwell Waste Management’s Senior Vice President of Legal Affairs and Chief Legal Officer penned the attached letter in hopes of making our community aware of an award bestowed to the late State Senator Clementa Pinckney. Ms. Jennifer Pinckney recently accepted the award at an event in New York City.
Dear Editor,
“God makes no mistakes.” Those were the powerful words of Jennifer Pinckney before a rapt audience of public relations professionals last week, March 17th, in New York City. She said that and more in accepting PR Week’s 2016 Communicator of the Year Award on behalf of her late husband, State Senator Clementa Pinckney (D-SC).
Now in its fourth year, the Communicator of the Year honor is bestowed upon an individual who, in the opinion of the chair of awards judges and PR Week editor-in-chief, was the outstanding communicator in the period covered by this year’s Awards. This person, who could come from within or outside the PR industry, exemplifies the power of communications to truly make a broad and lasting impact.
It was my distinct honor to serve as chair of the awards judges for this year’s PR Week Awards. It was an even greater privilege to be in that New York City ballroom to see Rev. Pinckney honored posthumously and to hear from his widow. She was spellbinding as she spoke about her “Tay”, their daughters, that fateful evening at church and life after.
South Carolinians knew of Sen. Pinckney and his public service, but the world learned of Rev. Pinckney on June 17, 2015 in the aftermath of his racially motivated murder and that of eight other Emmanuel AME congregants.
PR Week Global editorial director Steve Barrett commented on Mrs. Pinckney’s acceptance remarks, “At a time when there is so much negative and divisive rhetoric in our public discourse it was truly humbling to hear Jennifer speak so bravely and emotionally, but also rationally, about her loss, the effect on her family, church, and community, but also about the values Clementa represented and displayed in his daily life.”
No doubt those who knew – and those who’ve come to know of – Clementa Pinckney are thankful for the time he spent with us. We’re equally thankful for the continued courage and strength of his widow – a powerful communicator in her own right. Thanks also go to the “village” of those who encouraged her appearance. I know the PR Week Awards audience was grateful.
Clementa Pinckney’s lessons survive him for future generations, and Jennifer Pinckney carries on his legacy through her efforts with The Honorable Reverend Clementa C. Pinckney Foundation and The Reverend Pinckney Scholarship Fund. May we never forget.
Respectfully,
Barry H. Caldwell
Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Chief Legal Officer
Waste Management
