The Black Public Relations Society of Chicago [BPRS Chicago], recently announced that it will name an academic scholarship in honor of the late Paul W. Davis, BPRS Chicago’s immediate past president. The announcement was made on behalf of the local organization by BPRS-Chicago Executive Vice President Ronald E. Childs at a memorial held for the PR icon at Columbia College.

Paul Davis, who was a former president and a founding member of BPRS-Chicago, passed away on Saturday, May 12^th after succumbing to prostate cancer.

Mr. Davis was a PR legend in Chicago and beyond, was the founder, president and CEO of First Trace Communications. Davis’ career began as a spokesperson for Chicago’s first African-American mayor, Mayor Harold Washington, in 1983.

Davis went on to work with Congressman Danny Davis, Alderman Robert Fioretti, Alderman Roderick Sawyer, Cook County Clerk Dorothy Brown and numerous other elected officials, business leaders and non-profit organizations.

BPRS Chicago provides annual scholarships to college students who have committed to a career in public relations. Two monetary awards are typically given to local area college students majoring in communications, in good standing, who have decided to pursue a career in public relations. 

“We are proud to honor Paul’s legacy by naming a scholarship in his name,” said David Rudd, current president of BPRS-Chicago. “Paul was a longtime advocate of young people seeking to enter the field of public relations, so this is a fitting tribute to his life’s work.”

Further tribute will be paid to Paul Davis at the 2012 NBPRS National Conference in Washington, DC at the Founders Business Luncheon.