NZINGHA MILLAR
By Georgina Mbamalu
COURAGE COMMUNICATIONS
Photography contributed
It Takes Courage Nzingha Millar believes in supporting the strong ecosystem of entrepreneurship in Nova Scotia, especially within Black communities. That’s why she founded Courage Communications, a sole proprietorship designed to meet the public relations needs of changemakers, organizations and businesses that are ready to drive impact in Nova Scotia. “About two years ago, I was working with a group of high school students in Surrey and Burnaby, British Columbia to develop a campaign on the anti-Black racism they faced in their schools,” she says. “It was their willingness, to share their experiences and speak up that demonstrated their courage.” These students inspired Millar to name her company Courage Communications and continue her work with supporting Black communities in Canada. “Operating as a sole proprietorship today is in some ways much easier than in previous years,” she says. “I have access to a network of skilled individuals in design, digital influence, online content creation and more. This allows young business owners like me the flexibility to build a team to suit each project and each client’s needs.” Millar completed her first-degree program in International Development at Dalhousie University. International development students work with complex global structures like government, non-governmental organizations, businesses and corporations to help them communicate. “These bodies have issues talking to one another and working together and there is always need for a link to help them build a shared understanding. Communications work helps make complex structures simpler. We are able to bridge the divide between people and institutions.” Millar’s second degree also added to the already excellent skills she brings to the world of communications. “When I pursued my education in journalism school, I wasn’t interested in becoming a journalist, but, I knew the skills the degree provided for example; how to communicate effectively, how to understand an audience, how to break down information in a way that the public can understand it, would be useful to me in so many ways. In the communications world, public relations is perceived as presenting information in a way that looks like we’re ‘washing the facts’ and I think my background in journalism has taught me how to be authentic in that communication.” Every day, Nova Scotians are sifting and scrolling through messages and stories in newspapers, magazines, television programs, and social media. The constant bombardment of information attempts to influence behaviors and perceptions of businesses, individuals and communities. Courage Communications, through their mission to “impact with dignity, inform with accuracy and inspire with authenticity” promises to cut through the noise and share the messages that positively impact their clients. “Public relations brings people and ideas together allowing innovation to take place. However, you are also going to be in the fire as you’re managing crises and pivoting negative, harmful narratives to highlight and change them to something positive,” she says. “The attention to detail, code of ethics, integrity, and upholding the respect of the people you are working for and the people you are trying to reach takes a lot of commitment. When it gets tough, you can’t pull out. You have to double down. This is what gets your message heard” Millar’s commitment partly comes from her roots in the historic Black communities of Lake Loon and Cherry Brook and spending her formative years in North End Halifax where she received support from the community. It is only natural that she is ready to give that support back. “Courage Communications continues to take on new projects that will help expand its network Canada-wide and internationally,” states Millar confidently. “While growth is inevitable, our values will always stay the same: helping individuals, organizations and businesses connect purposefully with their audience and represent themselves with authenticity.”
BLACK to BUSINESS
13
Winter 2020
Nzingha Millar, Courage Communications
Nzingha Millar Courage Communications 902-789-9464 nzingha.millar@gmail.com
