Karen Dumas is a proud Detroit native whose career spans broadcast media, city government, entrepreneurship, and public relations.

Known as a fearless leader who is never afraid of holding those in power accountable, Dumas started her professional life early when she served as Press Secretary for Highland Park and Director of Public Information at the young age of 24.

From there, she launched her own communications firm, Images & Ideas, Inc., which specialized in branding, media relations, and strategic messaging.

The firm helped pad out her public profile, leading to her being appointed Chief of Communications & External Affairs for Detroit under Mayor Dave Bing.

It was a role that put Dumas right at the forefront of community messaging, external stakeholder engagement, and public relations in an era rife with controversy.

Acting as a visible bridge between city hall officials and everyday Detroiters, Dumas stood strong even in the face of immense blowback, putting in hard work to combat immense criticism and lawsuits before eventually returning to her private practice.

In addition to being a core figure in traditional Detroit media, Karen Dumas was also the host of a radio-talk show on 910 AM Superstation called The Pulse, which saw her lending her voice to civic issues, interviewing locals, and influencing public discourse.

She also worked for “The Detroit News,” writing refreshing opinion columns and providing complex commentary on everything from policy to leadership and accountability.

Karen Dumas’ marketing firm, Images & Ideas, has allowed her to work behind the scenes in private enterprises and nonprofits alike, where she offers counsel on communication strategy, reputation management, and crisis intervention.

She doesn’t just deliver statements, she mediates change and rewrites entire narratives, advising organizations, future leaders, and executives on how they can leverage their unique skillsets to achieve clarity, equity, and results.

What the future holds for her…only time will tell.

Victoria Jackson (Editor In Chief)

Victoria Jackson is a lifelong student and sharp-eyed documentarian of all things Detroit, from its rich musical roots and cultural icons to its shifting neighborhoods, storied architecture, and underground legends. With her finger firmly on the pulse of both the city’s vibrant past and its rapidly unfolding future, she brings a deeply personal, historically grounded lens to every piece she writes.

Published on: October 8, 2025