4 minute read
Krista Terrell, APR
Krista Terrell, APR
By Terry L. Watson
Photos Provided by Krista Terrell
Krista Terrell, APR, principal of Krista Faye Public Relations, is a strategic, ethical and accredited public relations practitioner and nonprofit executive with over 25 years of experience. She is past president of the Arts & Science Council (ASC), one of the most respected Local Arts Agencies in the U.S., and a current member of the Board of Ethics and Professional Standards for the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
A native of Augusta, GA, Krista earned her B.A. in Communications Arts (specializing in Public Relations) from Johnson C. Smith University, an HBCU, and her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) from PRSA. “I arrived in Charlotte in 1993 to attend Johnson C. Smith University and decided to stay,” she says. Krista is a board member of Arts North Carolina, a statewide advocacy organization for the arts, the Charlotte Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Charlotte Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Inc. and the New Generation of African American Philanthropists.
Currently residing in Charlotte, NC, Krista’s public relations experience ranges from branding, media relations and crisis communications to advocacy, community engagement, content creation, website transition and launch and influencing for diversity, equity and inclusion. She served as lead editor for ASC’s inaugural Cultural Equity report that shared its inequitable funding history and its journey on the path to cultural equity.
Launched in February 2024, Krista’s firm offers various services such as Public Relations, Business Support, and Project Management. Under the Public Relations umbrella are Advocacy, Community Relations and Engagement, Crisis Communications & Recovery, Issues Management, and Writing and Editing. With Business Support, Krista provides her clients with Board Development Training, Brand Storytelling, and External and Internal Communications.
Finally, regarding Project Management, she focuses on Scope and Timeline Creation, Organization, Prioritization and Implementation, Coordination and Collaboration, and Evaluation Support.
When asked what inspires her, Krista shares that she is very much about truth and justice, as well as transparency and honesty. “Now more than ever, those things are very important. It is truly about mutually beneficial relationships between an organization or an individual and their publics. Being honest and transparent is very important.”
Krista’s service to the Arts & Science Council for over 21 years echoes her commitment and dedication to whatever her interest resides. “When I announced I was leaving ASC, I had three people, one from the national level, local level, and state level, reach out to me about consulting. I never imagined that I would be an entrepreneur, however, when the third email came through, I saw it as a sign from God, and I listened. After talking with family and friends, I decided to step out on faith,” she says.
There are many people Krista recognizes for supporting and impacting her career including Dr. Albert Kreiling, her PR professor at Johnson C. Smith, and entrepreneurs Linda Lockman-Brooks, Bryan Downey and the late Vanessa Baxter. How they lived, and the influence that they exhibited in their respective industries is something that Krista modeled.
Some of Krista’s honors and accolades include being recognized by QCity Metro’s Power PR List in 2023 as a Black PR Professional to Know in Charlotte. The Charlotte Post recognized her as Newsmaker of the Year in 2021, specifically for advocating greater equity while facing challenges of public support.
While Krista’s journey has come with a few ups and downs, as well as twists and turns, she says that at the end of the day, she has no regrets. She also shares that she believes that everything happens for a reason, and the way God has planned for it to happen. Moving forward, Krista plans to continue to build her business and offer her clients an excellent experience.
www.KristaFayePR.com
