Founder of Black-Owned PR Firm Celebrates 40 Years, Honored With Prestigious Award

Cheryl Procter-Rogers, founder and CEO of A Step Ahead PR Firm, celebrates 40 years in the profession with the International MarCom Award

Lincolnshire, IL — In partnership with client Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Cheryl Procter-Rogers’ public relations firm, A Step Ahead, has been awarded a 2020 International MarCom Gold Award and honorable mention for work with the organization.

A Gold Award was presented in the strategic communications, public relations program category for “We Are Sigma Strong.” This was the theme of the sorority’s six-part webinar series launched March 25 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The weekly live and subsequent on-demand series brought resources, tips, and peace of mind to the membership and general public. The topics included: Dealing with Feelings of Isolation and Fear; Tips for Homeschooling with Patience; Personal Care: Hair, Skin and Fitness; Preparing for an Uncertain Job Market; Being Sigma Smart with Your Money; and Planning for a Post Coronavirus Era: What to Expect? All webinars were led by highly skilled and credentialed professionals, a majority of whom are Sigma Gamma Rho members.

A Step Ahead received an honorable mention in the print media, marketing/promotion/materials poster category for “Swimming is a Superpower.” The poster was developed to expand the scope of the Swim 1922 program that provides swim clinics in the African American community. The tagline was trademarked and newly designed superheroes were used on a two-sided youth poster and activity page that measures 22 inches by 16 inches. The poster educates and informs youth about the Swim 1922 program, water safety, the rich history of Black and African swimmers, basic swim strokes, and other water sports and activities. The tagline and poster were unveiled during the sorority’s virtual convention in July 2020. The sorority plans to distribute the poster following all Swim 1922 clinics, youth workshops, and other community service activities.

“We are grateful for the creativity and innovation Cheryl Procter-Rogers brings to our public relations efforts,” said Deborah Catchings-Smith, 24th international president of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. “To receive this honor and see her hard work recognized among thousands of entries is truly an honor.”

About MarCom Awards
MarCom Awards is an international creative competition that recognizes outstanding achievement by marketing and communication professionals. Entries come from corporate marketing and communication departments, advertising agencies, public relations firms, design shops, production companies, and freelancers. They are administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. The international organization consists of several thousand creative professionals. The Association oversees awards and recognition programs, provides judges, and sets standards for excellence.

Judges are industry professionals who look for companies and individuals whose talents exceed a high standard of excellence and whose work serves as a benchmark for the industry. There were over 5,000 entries from 20 countries in the MarCom Awards 2020 competition. The Gold Award is presented to those entries judged to exceed the high standards of the industry norm. Approximately 24 percent were Gold Winners. Honorable Mention certificates are granted to those entries that meet the expectations of the judges. Approximately 10 percent were Honorable Mention winners.

About A Step Ahead
With more than 40 years of experience as a communications and business strategist, Cheryl Procter-Rogers is the owner of A Step Ahead PR Consulting and Coaching, a global practice headquartered in Chicago. She is an award-winning subject matter expert in public relations, crisis communications, strategic planning, change management, internal communications, and media relations. She is a certified master coach, an International Coach Federation credentialed coach and is accredited by the Public Relations Society of America in public relations. She has successfully represented national and global brands, including Coca-Cola, Nissan, Allstate, McDonald’s, Sears, McCain Foods, Academy of General Dentistry, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, and Magellan Corporation, to name a few. She served in executive positions for DePaul University, HBO, Nielsen Marketing Research, and Golden State Mutual Life. For more information, visit AStepAheadPR.com

About Sigma Gamma Rho
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., an international collegiate and non-profit community service organization, was founded in 1922 on the Butler University campus in Indianapolis. It has welcomed more than 90,000 members who have joined the organization as undergraduates and professionals. Official affiliate groups include Rhoer Club (young girls) and Philos (friends of the sorority). The sorority has more than 500 chapters in the United States, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Germany, South Korea, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is the mission of the sorority to enhance the quality of life for women and their families in the U.S. and globally through community service. Programs, initiatives, and partnerships are devoted to progress in the areas of education, healthcare, political action, and leadership development. The sorority is headquartered in Cary, N.C., and is a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council’s “Divine Nine.” For more information, visit www.sgrho1922.org.

For press inquiries, contact Cheryl Procter-Rogers at cheryl@AStepAheadPR.com or 847-454-7400