
Terrie Williams
Public Relations Expert & Activist
Terrie M. Williams, one of Ebony magazine’s “Power 150” for Activism and Woman’s Day magazine “50 Women On A Mission To Change The World,” is an advocate for change and empowerment. Over a prolific career, she has used her influence and communications expertise to educate and engage audiences on a variety of issues and represent…
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Full Bio
Terrie M. Williams, one of Ebony magazine’s “Power 150” for Activism and Woman’s Day magazine “50 Women On A Mission To Change The World,” is an advocate for change and empowerment.
Over a prolific career, she has used her influence and communications expertise to educate and engage audiences on a variety of issues and represent some of the biggest personalities and businesses in entertainment, sports, business and politics.
Aside from her work as agency head, Terrie’s community outreach and mental health advocacy work began with her book, Stay Strong: Simple Life Lessons for Teens. Her latest book, Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting, recounts her personal struggles with depression and the impact the stigma of mental illnesses has, particularly on the African-American community.
In October 2012, Terrie was a featured speaker on mental health for World Mental Health Day, United Nations, NGO Committee on Mental Health; and at the 9th Annual Leon H. Sullivan Summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. She also received the 2012 National Association of Social Work-NYC Image Award for her mental health work.
Her 2011 honors include Target Market News’ MAXX Summit Award as “PR Executive of the Year;” a Heart & Soul Magazine Award for Service; a “Woman of Courage” award by The Emmett Till Legacy Foundation; and being named a Woodie King Jr. Honoree/Award Winner during the 40th Anniversary of The New Federal Theater. Terrie received the 2009 Florence Gould Gross Award from NAMI/FAMILYA of Rockland County for extraordinary commitment to de-stigmatizing mental illness, the 2009 Dr. David Satcher Mental Health Trailblazer Award from The Jackson State School of Social Work/Southern Institute for Mental Health Advocacy, Research and Training, and The Institute for the Advancement of Multicultural & Minority Medicine’s 2006 Eagle Fly Free Award for her work as a depression survivor and her efforts to bring widespread attention to the topic.
Terrie’s creation of a mental health advocacy campaign for the African American community in 2007 under her Stay Strong Foundation entitled, “Healing Starts With Us,” led to a 2010 collaboration with The Ad Council and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), entitled “Sharing Ourselves: Healing Starts with Us.” The campaign generated 11 million media impressions and $3 million in donated advertising space. Terrie served as the national spokesperson for the two-year campaign.
In 1996, she was the first person of color honored with the Vernon C. Schranz Distinguished Lectureship at Ball State University, and in 1998 she donated her papers to the Howard University Moorland-Springarn Research Center Archives. In 1991, she received The New York Women in Communications Matrix Award in Public Relations—the first woman of color to receive this award in the award’s 70-year history; the PRSA New York Chapter’s Phillip Dorf Mentoring Award; and The Citizen’s Committee for New York Marietta Tree Award for Public Service.
Terrie has a B.A. (cum laude) in Psychology and Sociology from Brandeis University, and an M.S. in Social Work from Columbia University. Terrie is a licensed psychotherapist.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!

LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!

MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!

SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!

SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!

CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!

PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!

FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
The Psychology of Success
There Are No Other People’s Children
Blending Together Family, Life & Work: A Plentiful Harvest
Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone
Videos
African-American Legends: "Staying Strong" with Terrie Williams and Jennifer Jones
Terrie M. Williams
Books
News
Testimonials
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