A CommPRO News UpdateRaschanda Hall of Business Wire has been named the “Public Relations Executive of the Year” by Target Market News at the 2016 Marketing to African Americans with Excellence (MAAX) Awards.For the past 16 years, Raschanda Hall, Business Wire's director of global media relations, has been leading part of the media relations team, setting the direction for the brand’s global media relations.  By utilizing her keen understanding of emerging technology and her pioneering social media presence, she has been able to expanded Business Wire's reach to media and influencers worldwide. In additions, she serves as the president of the Chicago chapter of Black Public Relations Society.“I have never served with a goal of getting accolades or awards. My desire has always been to make the people and organizations I connect with stronger,” said Raschanda Hall upon winning the prestigious award. “I am so grateful to Target Market News and the MAAX awards for their recognition. I hope it inspires others to serve and give back as well.”The MAAX Awards, presented annually since 2006, recognizes the contributions, innovations and exceptional performance of African-American professionals in variety of communications categories. The award is especially validating of Raschanda’s great career because eligible candidates are recommended not just by the editors, writers and contributors of Target Market News, but by the previous recipients as well.The 17th Annual Marketing to African Americans with Excellence (MAAX) Summit will take place on Monday, Oct. 14th, 2016 at the Hyatt Magnificent Mile Hotel in downtown Chicago. The theme for this year’s gathering is “Change the Conversation,” with presentations that offer a new perspective on the Trillion-Dollar Black Consumer Market.“There has been a dramatic shift in the dynamics of the African-American market,” said Target Market News president, Ken Smikle. “Black consumers are altering their perceptions and habits. Change is being driven by technology, access to information, the political culture, and the Black Lives Matter and Bank Black movements. African-American millennials may be driving the conversation, but the older black population is bringing new convictions and attitudes to the marketplace. These trends need be examined, understood and responded to with new strategies and new ideas.”The 2016 MAAX Award recipients are:Advertising Executive of the YearMichon EllisChief Executive OfficerLimeGreen Moroch, LLCMedia Executive of the YearDetavio SamuelsPresidentInteractive One LLCMarketing Executive of the YearMichelle Matthews-AlexanderDiversity Marketing ManagerGM Diversity Marketing, Center of ExcellenceResearch Executive of the YearSharon WilliamsSenior Research DirectoriHeartMediaPublic Relations Executive of the YearRaschanda HallDirector of Global Media RelationsBusiness Wire LLCLifetime Achievement AwardBernard BronnerPublisherUpscale MagazinePresident’s Award for AdvocacyJim WinstonExecutive DirectorNational Association of Black Owned Broadcasters