LáLew’s Recognition at the PRism Awards
Each year, the Rochester chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) hosts the PRism Awards to honor outstanding communicators and their strategic, tactical work. To earn this recognition, entries must demonstrate the highest standards of excellence in public relations.
Over the past three years, LáLew has been proud to receive multiple PRism Awards. As one of the first Black-owned agencies in the region, we’re deeply honored by this recognition and remain committed to creating space for equity-driven storytelling. These awards reflect not only the quality of our work, but also the powerful, change-making missions of the clients we serve.
Below is a snapshot of the honors we’ve received.
2025 Wins
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION (DEI) CAMPAIGN - awarded for our work with the Rochester Business Journal.
In 2023, the Rochester Business Journal partnered with LáLew PR to launch a recurring column celebrating the achievements of Black and brown entrepreneurs. Each month the column shines a spotlight on inspiring stories and accomplishments helping to showcase voices and perspectives that are often underrepresented. Over the past 2 years, over 20 stories have been published, generating 631.35K unique views and earning an 83% positive audience sentiment.
PRESS KITS / MEDIA KITS – For LáLew’s work elevating Hybridge’s brand through strategic media materials.
LáLew Public Relations was honored for developing a comprehensive press kit that introduced Hybridge Implants and Smile Restoration to key media and community stakeholders. The kit included thoughtfully crafted news releases, branded photography, company background, and messaging materials that positioned Hybridge as an innovative force in its sector.
This strategic asset helped elevate awareness, support media outreach and ensure consistent, compelling storytelling across platforms. The award recognizes the strength of clear, intentional communication in launching and growing a brand presence.
Our campaign garnered coverage in 375 Buffalo and top industry outlets like Dentistry Today and Becker’s Dental Review, reaching an audience of over 105 million. It also led to a feature on Daytime Buffalo, further cementing Hybridge’s presence as a trusted local expert.
2024 Wins
Events and Observances – Not-for-Profit PRism Award for “LáLew strengthens Auburn, NY’s position as a city of cultural significance with state-wide Juneteenth coverage”
In 2023, LáLew worked with the Equal Rights Heritage Center to spread awareness of the series of Juneteenth events in the city of Auburn, New York. Auburn, being Harriet Tubman’s chosen hometown, was the ideal city to celebrate the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery, Juneteenth.
Through tireless outreach efforts and a wide distribution of the Heritage Center’s press release, we were able to surpass our goal and secured coverage in 17 media outlets in NY State outside the city of Auburn, a 750% increase from 2022. We are elated that our targeted, focused efforts generated our desired results!
Integrated Communications – Corporate PRism Award for “Festival’s debut garners over 88 million impressions in two months”
New York state is home to a vibrant whiskey culture, one that the Hoochenanny Whiskey Festival wanted to celebrate with its inaugural festival in 2023. LáLew was sourced to fulfill public relations needs for this event, with the ultimate goal of driving tourism to the region while offering entertainment through a diverse lineup of musical performances.
LáLew surpassed every coverage objective for the event, securing over 88 million impressions of the festival between TV, radio, podcast and article coverage, resulting in a turnout to the festival of over 1,000 people. Through our hands-on approach, LáLew conducted extensive research, determined our target audiences, and worked strategically to deliver a successful result for our client.
2023 Wins
Integrated Communications – Corporate Award of Excellence for “Connecting Innovators Around the World Through Agriculture”
Way to go, Grow-NY! This business competition challenges startups worldwide to create and execute plans to increase food and agriculture jobs and partnerships to aid the growing regional community and economy.
Our integrated communications campaign focused on securing publicity and exposure through earned media for the competition. Through this multi-phase effort, we successfully obtained 100 placements and billions of impressions.
Editorial/Op-Ed Columns – Corporate PRism Award for “Guest Editorial: How brands can commemorate cultural holidays respectfully”
Growing out of her discussion on NPR/WXXI Connections, Jessica Lewis researched and wrote an essay focused on how companies can commemorate Juneteenth respectfully. Key messages included supporting Black businesses, resisting the urge to commercialize the holiday, and seeking advice and counsel before taking any messaging public.
This corporate PRism Award recognizes the creativity and quality of the op-ed as well as its publication. On June 17, 2022, Business Insider published the essay, bringing these insights before its 250 million readers.
Media Relations – Corporate PRism Award for the “Mural of Harriet Tubman seen by millions through earned media mentions”
Working alongside The New York State Equal Rights Heritage Center, we completed a six-month campaign centered on the bicentennial celebration of Harriet Tubman’s work and last 54 years of life in Auburn, NY. The Heritage Center sponsored events including an unveiling ceremony for “Harriet Tubman: Her Life in Freedom Mural.”
The corporate PRism Award acknowledges our extensive media outreach efforts, securing 3.4 billion gross impressions for The Center. The ABC News article alone received 1,548 shares and was duplicated 55 times. Other notable features include ABC News Radio, World News Tonight, Yahoo News, and two MSN articles.
Social Media – Corporate Award of Excellence for its “Social media campaign brings over 3,000 visitors to Teen Empowerment’s Clarissa Uprooted Exhibit”
From jamming jazz, neighborly comradeship, and thriving Black-owned businesses, to the underlying redlining, discrimination, and push for urban renewal, Rochester’s Third Ward is an undeniably captivating community. Produced by Teen Empowerment and the Clarissa Street Legacy (formerly Clarissa Street Reunion Committee), the Clarissa Uprooted documentary brings stories from then and now to life.
Managing the Teen Empowerment Rochester social media accounts, we sought to share the pivotal regional impact of the Clarissa Street community and to increase visibility of the Clarissa Uprooted Exhibit. The corporate PRism Award of Excellence recognizes the success of our campaign, bringing over 3,000 visitors to the exhibit.
Thank you to our clients, collaborators, and comrades for your support in earning these achievements. Stay tuned…this is just the beginning.
