We recently connected with Gwen Thomas and have shared our conversation below.
Gwen, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. Many of us find ourselves as the only woman, the only immigrant, or the only artist in the room, among other such situations. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Being the only one in the room has never been easy, but it taught me how to lead before I was ever given permission.
I learned early that mastery was my armor. I made it a point to be the best in every room, not just because I wanted to, but because I had to. In every industry I entered, I was often the only one, or the first of the first: the only woman, the only Black woman, and the youngest by decades. That combination meant I had to work twice as hard just to be seen, and three times as hard to be respected. And I did, over and over again.
I didn’t receive many awards. Yet, I got results. However, the truth is that I should’ve been paid more and recognized more, as I laid the groundwork for many who came to work for me as brand ambassadors, PR interns, promo managers, and more. I should’ve been recognized more, but too few understood the promotional marketing business because I pioneered the industry as the first agency in Michigan and Illinois. I was on top of my game for 13 years. But I carried two strikes into every boardroom and every deal: my race and my gender. So I built my reputation through relentless excellence, early mornings, late nights, and no excuses. I never took “no” for an answer, and I built a client base that trusted me because I delivered.
I’ve always known that being effective in these rooms meant not shrinking myself. Some admired my confidence; others feared it. I was assertive, results-driven, and unapologetically direct, not because I lacked compassion, but because I knew the stakes. My team learned from me, and yes, I pushed hard because mediocrity was a luxury I couldn’t afford.
Now the rooms have changed. There are more women, more Black professionals, more young faces—but fewer demands for excellence that I delivered.. Standards have shifted, and sometimes I wonder if we’ve traded grit for access.
Still, I remain rooted in what got me here: mastery, integrity, and an unshakable work ethic. Because while the world may evolve, excellence never goes out of style.
Thanks. Before we move on, could you share more about yourself?
Spreading the Word About Gwen Thomas – A Legacy of Branding, Strategy, and Social Impact. For over two decades, I’ve lived at the intersection of culture, commerce, and community—shaping narratives, launching iconic campaigns, and building brands that not only sell, but stand for something.
As the founder of Promotions Unlimited 2000 in 1989, I pioneered large-scale promotional marketing campaigns at a time when few Black women led in that space. I launched and managed multi-city campaigns for household names, including Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola, L’Oreal, Miller Brewing Company, General Mills, The House of Seagram, and General Motors. From executing marketing campaigns for the Mary J. Blige tour in 30 cities to managing national rollouts for brands like Barbie, AT&T, and Swiffer, I was often the only one in the room who looked like me, but always the one who delivered. I managed events for entertainment giants such as HBO, Def Comedy Jam, Black Enterprise, and Budweiser Superfest, while branding over 50 beauty and fashion brands.
Through economic downturns like the dot-com collapse, 9/11, and the 2008 recession, I made tough calls that supported my business as a business owner—choosing always to pay my people even as my firm absorbed losses. When GM filed for bankruptcy in the midst of a major campaign, we lost over $ 100,000.
That moment tested everything. We hung on for three more years before closing, and I walked away with my integrity intact.
After a short hiatus, I relaunched as Gwen Thomas PR in 2013, shifting my focus to a small strategic communications boutique that specialized in healthcare campaigns and executive branding. My experience supporting Medicaid managed care corporate clients in Washington, DC, led to a $120 million acquisition for one of our clients—proof that our marketing strategies and storytelling move markets.
But I’m more than my titles. I was always a working mom and devoted daughter with aging parents who had to leave the traditional workplace because of my need to be there for my family. I’m a mom who raised a globally minded son and showed him how to turn his talent into opportunity. I taught him to brand his academics and compassion for service. That mindset provided over $500,000 in scholarships, covering his college expenses at one of the top HBCU and his graduate school education at Johns Hopkins. It did not end there but led him to an international career, allowing him to study, travel, and work abroad in more than 100 countries. The founding of my nonprofit, Fresh Perspectives Seminars, a college and career readiness program, provides me with a platform to help other students achieve the same goals.
Today, Fresh Perspectives has helped more than 10,000 students win over $31 million in scholarships—providing a real solution to the student debt crisis. We equip first-gen and college-bound youth with the tools to fund their education with scholarships, not loans.
From my days as a college student, I was engaged in civil rights work—registering voters in Flint and Saginaw, MI alongside social activist, politician, and Professor Julian Bond. That early exposure to the movement-building laid the foundation for a career rooted in justice, storytelling, and public impact. As President of the NAACP in Southern Oakland County in the early 2000s, I returned to the front lines of advocacy. During the pivotal years of the Black Lives Matter movement, I found myself uniquely positioned to assist attorney clients in framing high-profile civil and human rights cases. That moment, where activism and media collided, demanded deep cultural intelligence and a principled approach to narrative.
But today, as democracy is under siege and the Constitution itself is being undermined, I realize that my work must once again evolve. Civil rights and the rule of law are being strategically gutted, voting rights suppressed, legal precedent ignored, and justice distorted for political gain. This construct is no longer just about communications; it’s about defending democracy. I am now focused on reshaping my platform, voice, and work to meet this urgent moment: to preserve the core values of the Constitution, to protect the truth in media, and to push back against the forces of injustice affecting every aspect of American life. This is the new frontline, and it requires not only strategy but also a soul.
Now back in Detroit, I’m building the next chapter of Gwen Thomas PR, supporting political candidates, law offices, executive leaders, and organizations that give voice to civility with bold brand strategy and trusted media framing. I recently completed The Yale Campaign School to strengthen my political communications toolkit and better support purpose-driven clients. I remain committed to lifting stories that can’t be silenced.
My story is one of reinvention, resilience, and results. I don’t just build brands. I help people tell the story of their purpose. That’s my legacy. And I’m just getting started.
There is a wealth of advice available on the various skills and qualities individuals need to develop to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment, and it can often feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for individuals early in their journey on how to best develop or improve in these areas?
Looking back, the three most impactful forces in my career weren’t just skills or qualities—they were human examples of Black excellence who taught me how to navigate the intersection of culture, commerce, and courage.
First, understanding the power of Black buying power was foundational. John H. Johnson, founder of Ebony and Jet magazines, taught me that storytelling is a powerful form of marketing. He built a media empire that didn’t just reflect Black life—it shaped it. Through Johnson Publishing and brands like Fashion Fair and Raven & Duke, he proved that honoring the lived experiences of our community wasn’t niche—it was necessary. For anyone starting, my advice is this: know your audience and respect their story. Cultural intelligence is not a buzzword—it’s a business advantage.
Second, I learned the importance of economic ownership and market entry strategy from George E. Johnson Sr., the founder of Johnson Products—makers of Afro Sheen and Ultra Sheen. He was the first Black entrepreneur to take his company public on the New York Stock Exchange and played a key role in bringing Soul Train to life. This platform forever transformed Black music and identity in mainstream America. From him, I learned that it’s not enough to create a product—you must also understand how to get it into the marketplace and scale it. For emerging entrepreneurs: learn distribution, learn finance, and never be afraid to demand your seat at the table—or build your own.
Finally, the third lesson came not from a textbook, but from a pivotal moment of resilience and relationship-building. I met NBA legend Bob Lanier during a chance encounter while moonlighting for my side hustle. That encounter got me fired from my day job at Ebony, but instead of retreating, I leaned into that moment. I called Bob two weeks later and, over lunch, asked for an introduction to his largest client, Miller Brewing Company. Within seven days, I landed my first corporate contract: the Miller Sound Express Music Tour, which featured collaborations with legends like Phyllis Hyman and Frankie Beverly. That contract launched an 18-year relationship with Miller and ultimately my company, Promotions Unlimited. My advice? Bet on yourself. When doors close, knock on another one—then walk through it like you belong there.
So to those early in their journey:
Build genuine relationships—not just networks.
Study our culture—it holds economic power.
Be audacious. Not everyone will see your vision, but you don’t need everyone—you need the right someone.
I carry the lessons of John Johnson, George Johnson, and Bob Lanier with me every day. They didn’t just build brands—they built legacy. And so can you.
Okay, so before we go, we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I’m actively seeking to collaborate with individuals and organizations who value my integrity, excellence, and results. With decades of experience in marketing, public relations, and strategic brand development, I bring a seasoned, solution-oriented perspective to every project. I’m looking to align with professionals who match my work ethic—people who don’t cut corners and who are committed to delivering superior service.
I especially want to connect with executive women who are ready to elevate their visibility, strengthen their brand voice, and operate at the top of their game. If you’re ambitious, focused, and understand the power of intentional branding, I believe I can help you get to your next level.
I’m also open to partnerships with corporate brands and C-suite leaders who want to tell their story in a way that resonates, builds trust, and drives measurable impact. Whether you’re navigating a significant campaign, managing a brand pivot, or expanding your public profile, I bring not just experience—but excellence.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gwenthomaspr.com
- Instagram: @therealGwenThomas
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gwenthomaspr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwen-thomas-a147341/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GwenThomasPRProductionsP-lv3pk
Image Credits
GWEN THOMAS PR, INC.
