AWC Chair - The Association for Women in Communications

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Anita K. Parran, a native of St. Louis, makes her home in Kansas City, MO where she is Principal for KK Charles Communications, LLC, an international award-winning firm she founded in 1998. The company specializes in public and media relations, professional writing, and special projects/events management.

During her career as Associate State Director for Public Affairs for AARP, Anita enjoyed a wide range of communications responsibilities and developed networks nationwide. During her tenure, she earned certification as a facilitator for Training of Trainers: Accelerated Learning (TOT:AL), Community Development, and Direct Action Organizing (DAO).

Anita earned a B.A. in Journalism from Stephens College in Columbia, MO, and an M.A.-Business Management from Webster University in Webster Groves, MO. She is a Certified Communications Professional (CCP) by the University of Washington School of Communications.

Anita is a past president of the former Women in Communications Kansas City Professional Chapter and received both the Unsung Hero and Leading Change Awards. In 2006, she received the National Headliner Award from the Association for Women in Communications (AWC), and in the same year was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kansas City Association of Black Journalists, having served as president of that organization for two years. Anita was the recipient of the 2015 Velma E. Woodson Outstanding Leadership Award from the NAACP Kansas City, Missouri Branch. In 2014, the KC Business magazine selected her as one of Kansas City’s Most Influential Women, an honor she also received in 2007 as a member of the charter class. In 2015, Anita was selected to join the Kansas City Globe newspaper’s Society of Influentials.

Anita is a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)/Greater Kansas City Chapter, National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)/Kansas City Association of Black Journalists (KCABJ), Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)/Kansas City Press Club, Kansas City Freelance Exchange, Kansas City Nonprofit Connect, American Association of University Women (AAUW), NAACP, VIP member of the National Association of Professional Women (NAPW), International Association of Women (IAW) and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. – Beta Omega Graduate Chapter.

As the current Public Member for the Missouri Board of Pharmacy, Anita has served five state governors. She is a member of the Stephens College Board of Trustees and serves on the Executive Committee and Chairs the Student Affairs Committee. She is the Vice Chair of the Association for Women in Communications, Membership Committee Co-chair, and President of the AWC Advancement Fund. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Urban League of Greater Kansas City. Anita is a past president, executive committee member and secretary for the Kansas City Association of Black Journalists.

Anita is a charter member of two book clubs: Women of Words (WOW) and Characters. She also enjoys mentoring women, convening an informal all-women networking group called The Usual Suspects, and traveling.

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