COMMUNITY
For decades of our industry's past and through today, Black professionals, entrepreneurs and inventors have played a vital role in making our community and marketplace stronger.
We are proud to celebrate their contributions and the important role promotional products themselves have played in the ongoing march toward justice and equality.
Like the products our members source, we seek to forge connections that create joy. We embrace belonging while encouraging teamwork and collaboration.
The promotional products business is all about creating branded items and apparel that people will find meaningful and use to express themselves. This story is about one branded piece that found its way into history. These can take many forms but are most commonly apparel, drinkware, pens, bags, or tech products.
Ingenious inventions make life easier, tastier and sometimes even more fun – and have made an indelible impression on the promo landscape – but we often don’t stop to think who or where these bright ideas came from.
For nearly a century, laws enforced racial order everywhere in the American South. To serve their communities and maintain their self-respect, Black entrepreneurs started local, small-scale and family-run businesses.
Remember that team culture is set at the top. When women of color on your sales team do great work, don’t let it go unnoticed and don’t let someone else take credit for their results.
Brands large and small are commemorating Black History Month with discounts, sales and promotions in February. But a recent survey found that one in five Black Americans think Black History Month promotions are offensive. PPAI Media spoke to an expert about how to execute these campaigns with respect.
Although diversity, equity and inclusivity efforts have been targeted at both the federal level and in the private sector, industry pros counter that the data shows having a diverse workforce only strengthens businesses.
The first Black member of the PPAI Board of Directors was Bennie Giles III, MAS, who served from 1994-98.
The founder of Creative Advertising Techniques of New Rochelle, New York, Giles got his start in the promotional products industry serving as director of marketing and program development at his family’s company, EPC. In 1988, he leveraged his experience and background in the industry and founded Creative Advertising Techniques. The company’s clients included Fortune 1000 companies, national associations, educational institutions, unions and government agencies.
During his 30 years in the promotional products industry, Giles was an avid volunteer. He was a trustee of the Promotional Products Education Foundation and served on several PPAI committees, including terms as vice chair for the Marketing Information & Research Committee, the Awards & Recognition Committee and the Public Relations Committee.
Giles, who passed away in 2022, was named a PPAI Distinguished Service Award recipient in 1998 and received PPAI Fellow recognition 2016.
PPAI technology partner SAGE allows Association members to source products from thousands of industry suppliers. Users can filter the product search engine for ESG and diversity certifications, including:
The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Action Group increases the visibility of underrepresented groups within the promotional products workforce and inspires industry business leaders to embrace inclusive, unbiased business practices.
Nicole Rhooms serves as PPAI’s Human Resources Director, bringing over 20 years of experience in driving organizational success through strategic human capital management. She holds a master’s degree in Human Resources and Employment Law from Arizona State University, with a specialization in Human Resources. With deep expertise in all aspects of HR, Nicole has consistently demonstrated a proven track record in talent acquisition, employee development, leadership coaching, and organizational development.
Throughout her career, Nicole has partnered with senior leadership to align HR strategies with business goals, fostering a positive and productive work environment while optimizing workforce performance and engagement. Known for her ability to navigate complex challenges and build strong relationships across all levels of the organization, she is passionate about creating innovative HR solutions that drive sustainable business growth.
Serving as the chief technology officer of Sonline since 2014, Suri Anantharama is a PPAI volunteer. He began his term on PPAI’s DEI Action Group in 2024.
PPAI volunteer Derrick Hamilton is a member of the executive team at distributor LeaderPromos. Originally joining the firm in 2020, he currently serves as its vice-president of business development, inclusion & sustainability.
An ecommerce operations expert, Tricia Johnson is the director of enterprise programs at distributor Myron. A PPAI volunteer, she first joined the promotional products industry in 2017.
Pennsylvania-based Lauren LaMantia is a human resources manager at promotional products distributor Gordon Sinclair.
The vice-president of people & culture at Canada-based distributor Genumark, Jean Steffanazi first joined the promotional products industry in 2018.
Originally beginning her career with SanMar in 2002, PPAI volunteer Natalie Tenner is currently a credit manager at the industry supplier, and its Diversity & Inclusion Council Chair.
In coordination with the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Action Group, PPAI is working to make the promotional marketplace welcoming to all. What other culture and heritage celebrations would you like to see recognized throughout the year? Email us.
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The Association is driven by members like you. Industry volunteers play an essential role in defining our strategy and shaping the industry.