Arkansas PRSA Announces 2026 Diamond and Crystal Award Recipients
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) announced the recipients of the 2026 Diamond and Crystal Awards. The recipients are: Crystal Award: Heather Haywood, APR, former director of marketing and public relations at Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C.; Diamond Award: Roby Brock, CEO of Natural State Media; and Christina Littlejohn, CEO of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. The recipients were selected by the Arkansas PRSA Past Presidents Council and will be recognized at the annual PRSA Prism Awards banquet on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Next Level Events.
The Crystal Award is presented to a PRSA chapter member who has made significant and continuous contributions to the field of public relations over the course of their career. The Diamond Award is an external award presented to an individual who has made significant contributions resulting in the enhancement of the image of Arkansas and whose outstanding service to the state reflects the principles of public relations.
Heather Haywood, APR, was selected as this year’s Crystal Award recipient in recognition of her distinguished public relations career, exceptional service to PRSA Arkansas and lasting contributions to the profession.
Most recently, she served as director of marketing and public relations at Mitchell Williams, where she led strategic communications, marketing and public relations efforts and served as a trusted advisor to firm leadership. Her retirement from the firm on June 30 marked the culmination of a career spanning more than 35 years, during which she earned the respect of colleagues, clients and fellow practitioners as an exceptional communicator, trusted advisor and ethical leader.
Since joining PRSA Arkansas in 2007, Haywood has devoted nearly two decades to strengthening the chapter and advancing the public relations profession in Arkansas. She has served in numerous leadership roles, including Membership Chair, APR Chair, President-Elect, Chapter President in 2022 and Past President. Haywood’s career has also included work in the nonprofit and insurance sectors, and in 2020 she received the Arkansas Bar Association’s Golden Gavel Award in recognition of her leadership and contributions to the organization’s branding initiative.
Roby Brock, CEO of Natural State Media, was selected for the Diamond Award in recognition of his contributions to business and political journalism and his role in strengthening public understanding of issues affecting Arkansas.
Under Brock’s leadership, Talk Business & Politics has grown into a 27-year-old multimedia news organization delivering content through television, radio, streaming programs, daily e-newsletters and digital reporting.
Brock hosts and moderates programming across Arkansas media markets, including Talk Business & Politics, Capitol View, Recap and radio programs on NPR member stations statewide. As owner of Newsroom Ventures, created in 2025, Brock is also making a significant impact by acquiring and reinvigorating local newspapers, including The England Democrat, The Grand Prairie Herald, The Waldron News, The Fordyce News Advocate, The Glenwood Herald and The Pine Bluff Commercial.
Christina Littlejohn, CEO of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, was selected for the Diamond Award in recognition of her transformational leadership and the orchestra’s expanded role in building community through music.
During her 17-year tenure, Littlejohn has led the ASO from near bankruptcy to a financially stronger and more community-centered organization, with assets growing from $3 million to $28 million.
Her leadership has included the development of inspiring concerts, educational programs and hundreds of activities at the ASO Stella Boyle Smith Music Center, described as a radically welcoming hub of musical activity for all Arkansans. During the pandemic, the ASO kept all full-time musicians and staff employed while reaching more than one million people through its “Bedtime with Bach” series. Littlejohn previously launched The Cleveland Orchestra’s Miami Residency and founded the Mobile Symphony Orchestra in Mobile, Alabama.
The recipients will be recognized at the 2026 PRSA Prism Awards on Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Next Level Events. Tickets are available here. For sponsorship information email Allyson Pittman Gattin, APRm at allyson@peacockgrp.com.
About PRSA Arkansas
The Arkansas Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, located in Little Rock, is dedicated to developing and enriching the professional lives of public relations practitioners. The chapter seeks to build understanding and support for public relations throughout the business community and within the academic community for future practitioners. Through monthly meetings, professional development seminars, awards competitions and promotion of the profession, Arkansas PRSA provides opportunities to enhance professional growth and networking throughout the year. Learn more at arkprsa.org.