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FAIRFAX,VA, October 2, 2001–The National Capital Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA/NCC) congratulates long-time member Ofield Dukes, APR, Fellow PRSA, for receiving PRSA’s 2001 Gold Anvil Award.

Dukes, a principal of Ofield Dukes & Associates, Washington, DC, is recognized for his outstanding careers as a journalist, public relations executive, and public relations educator.

First awarded in 1948, the Gold Anvil is PRSA’s highest individual honor presented to public relations professionals whose accomplishments advance the profession and its positive visibility.

"Ofield is an accomplished PRSA member, mentor to countless professionals, and Washington treasure," said PRSA/NCC President Henry Chamberlain, APR, CAE, chief staff executive, Building Owners and Managers Association International. "We are fortunate to have him actively participating in PRSA/NCC, and congratulate him on this well earned recognition at the highest level that can be bestowed on a public relations professional."

After capturing three national Newspapers Publishers Association awards for editorial, column and feature writing for Detroit’s Michigan Chronicle, Dukes relocated to Washington in 1964 to join President Lyndon Johnson’s administration, later serving three years on the staff of Vice President Hubert Humphrey.

Dukes started his own public relations firm in 1969, with Motown as his first client and Lever Brothers as his second. He won PRSA’s Silver Anvil Award in 1975 and many other honors. Dukes was inducted into the National Capital Public Relations Hall of Fame during PRSA/NCC’s 50th Anniversary in 1999. The Washington Post described Dukes as "one of the top public relations persuaders in the city."

Dukes helped organize the first Congressional Black Caucus dinner and served on the boards of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the Martin Luther King, Jr., Center for Nonviolent Social Change. He was a communications consultant for every Democratic presidential campaign since 1972. In 1993, he founded the Black Public Relations Society of Washington and presently serves as president of that organization.

Dukes is also credited with training and influencing hundreds of students to enter public relations. As an adjunct professor for 17 years at Howard University, Washington, DC, Dukes was instrumental in formulating its public relations curriculum. For the past eight years, Dukes has been an adjunct professor in the School of Communications at American University, Washington, DC.

Dukes will be honored in ceremonies during PRSA’s 2001 International Conference, October 27-30, 2001, in Atlanta.

With nearly 1,000 members, NCC is PRSA’s largest chapter representing public relations professionals from all major business sectors in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, including associations, agencies, corporations, universities, nonprofits, the government, and independent practitioners.