About Chelsea L. Whittington
Chelsea (Stalling) Whittington is a native of Gary, IN and proud graduate of West Side High School (salutatorian), Howard University (B.A. Broadcast Journalism. Magna Cum Laude) and Purdue University (M.A. Organizational Communications. Summa Cum Laude).
Her career in Public Relations and Communications spans more than 20 years having worked for the Peace Corps Recruiting Office in Arlington, VA, the Office of Congressman Charles Rangel (D-NY), JWA Boys and Girls Club, Lake Area United Way, Horseshoe and Trump Casinos, the Gary Community School Corporation, and Johnson Publishing Company, publisher of Ebony and Jet Magazines.
In 2009, Chelsea joined the executive team at U.S. Cellular Corporation as Communications Manager. There, she managed 4 of the company’s public relations firms while promoting the brand of the nation’s sixth largest wireless phone company.
From January 2012 – July 2015, Chelsea served in the administration of Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, the City of Gary’s first female mayor and the State of Indiana’s only female African-American mayor. As Director of Communications, Chelsea oversaw media relations, crisis communications, special events, branding and marketing for her hometown.
In the fall of 2015, Chelsea joined the staff of the Chicago Urban League as Senior Manager of External Relations. She continues to serve as an adjunct professor at Indiana University Northwest teaching courses in Public Relations, Social Networking and Special Event Planning. Additionally, Chelsea operates her PR Consulting firm, C WHITT where she develops public relations and social media strategies for clients as well as presents workshops and trainings on social media and public speaking.
A long-time member of the Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, Chelsea sings in the choir, is a member of the G.E.E.K Squad and serves as a church hostess. She volunteers for the J.W.A. Boys and Girls Club, Sojourner Truth House and is a member of the Black Public Relations Society of Chicago.
