Déjà Thomas

Program Manager for Center for the Advancement of Racial Equity at Work (CARE) at UCLA Labor Center
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Contact Information
us****@****om
(386) 825-5501
Location
Los Angeles, California, United States, US
Languages
  • Spanish -

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Experience

    • United States
    • Research Services
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Program Manager for Center for the Advancement of Racial Equity at Work (CARE)
      • Feb 2021 - Present

      CARE at Work facilitates innovative solutions that address the needs of Black working-class people. As Program Manager I work closely with the Project Director and staff to operationalize the mission and vision of CARE at Work. This is done in the following ways: - Led the largest report on Black Workers in SoCal working with over 15 partners to survey nearly 2,000 Black workers, resulting in narrative shifting campaigns for Black Worker Centers to leverage local and state policy. - Develop and implement capacity building programming for two new Black Worker Centers and a Regional Hub through facilitation, coordination, technical assistance on large outreach campaigns, relationship building, partnership development, and strategic narrative development. - Manage partnerships for 5 active research projects and brief/report writing for publication and internal submittal with community based partners. - Supervise a growing team of two full time staff and up to six part-time Graduate Student Researchers and work study students. As well as, provide co-supervisorial support to the newly hired SoCal BW Hub staff of five. - Support fund development efforts through funder briefings, funder meetings, grant proposals and reporting, as well as budget development. Show less

    • United States
    • Non-profit Organizations
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Special Projects Consultant
      • Jul 2020 - Present

      Manage incoming and ongoing development projects, fielding emerging projects for LAFPC staff, as well as developing policy analysis and engagement. Specific responsibilities include supporting and maintaining donor and grant tracking system to ensure timely submission and overseeing and supporting emerging work resulting from awarded grants. As well as, reviewing and evaluating policies and legislation to determine the benefits and impact and formulate reports which condense and summarize information to display key evidence for relevant stakeholders to review. Show less

    • Intern
      • Jun 2019 - Jun 2020

      Broadly this role involves grant writing, database management of foundations, donor engagement, and policy research. Specifically, researching, writing and submitting successful grant applications for both general operating support and program-specific support and assist in the management of the grant database with over 100 grants in the organizations's history as well as donor engagement. I also conducted policy research of the political landscape in the City and County of Los Angeles to support and determine the viability of several ongoing policy initiatives. Show less

    • United States
    • Civic and Social Organizations
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Researcher
      • Jul 2020 - Feb 2021

    • United States
    • Research Services
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Graduate Student Researcher
      • Jan 2019 - Jun 2020

      Contributed to the process evaluation of California’s Transformative Climate Communities Program. I conducted primary data collection from individuals implementing Watts Rising projects, calculated expected GHG emission reductions and co-benefits using California Air Resource Board calculators and project-specific inputs, and wrote technical documents and communications related materials for a variety of audiences. Contributed to the process evaluation of California’s Transformative Climate Communities Program. I conducted primary data collection from individuals implementing Watts Rising projects, calculated expected GHG emission reductions and co-benefits using California Air Resource Board calculators and project-specific inputs, and wrote technical documents and communications related materials for a variety of audiences.

    • United States
    • Research Services
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Graduate Student Researcher
      • Oct 2018 - Jun 2020

      Led and supported several research projects utilizing quantitative and qualitative methods and tools to support low wage and disadvantaged workers. Contributed literature review, qualitative analysis for over 60 interviews, and writing for the "Unseen Costs: The Experiences of Workers and Learners in Los Angeles County" report, as well as developing survey instruments for the Covid-19 supporting brief. Prepared internal and external reports for the Los Angeles Black Worker Center ("Reimagined Recovery"). Additionally, I provided research support through focus group coding for the High Road Training Program evaluation report. Show less

    • United States
    • Civil Engineering
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Marketing and Communications Coordinator
      • Jul 2017 - Aug 2018

      Supported the firm's Marketing, Business Development, and Communications efforts, primarily through formatting, editing and production of proposals for over 100 successful RFP/RFQ request and presentation materials and correspondence with staff and clients. Additional responsibilities included managing the firm's social media accounts, developing and maintaining firm-wide communications calendar in coordination with the Marketing Manager and CEO, as well as update and maintain the Client Relationship Management database. Sherwood is a site civil engineering practice committed to the optimal integration of ecology, infrastructure, and design. The firm specializes in water management strategies, green building design, and urban planning, and has worked on many sustainable civil projects throughout the world. Show less

    • United States
    • Higher Education
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Research Assistant
      • Apr 2017 - Jun 2017

      Contributed to a research project on engagement for Environmental Justice through utilizing databases to conduct a literature review on environmental justice and democracy, as well as writing short portions of a report on environmental justiceThis work was in support of Dr. Chad Raphael is a professor at Santa Clara University. His research project is to create a guide to practicing the scholarship of engagement for Environmental Justice (EJ) to be distributed at a conference on Santa Clara University campus. Show less

    • Research Assistant
      • Oct 2016 - Jun 2017

      Provided research support for two studies related to environmental justice in Nicaragua and San Jose, respectively. For one project I collaborated with Promotoras at a San Jose elementary school, near a high way and under the local airport flight path, to measure air quality and record traffic patterns and researched low-cost solutions to improve air quality around an elementary school. For the second project I conducted an coded focus groups of Nicaraguan farmers and U.S. newspaper articles regarding climate change and crop variability. In support of the Nicaraguan project I also design graphics to easily summarize the research to Nicaraguan coffee farmers.This work was in support of Dr. Christopher Bacon is an Associate Professor at Santa Clara University, who was currently conducting two studies. One study is a NSF Geography and Spatial Sciences funded study that uses a livelihoods perspective to examine both food and water security within an entitlement and capabilities framework. The second study, funded by the University’s Ignation Center, uses community based research to study air quality around an elementary school in a low income and new immigrant community. Show less

    • Community Development Coordinator
      • Jun 2016 - Jun 2017

      Lead the planning and organizing of an annual street fair (Global Village) with over 30 vendors, performances, and games for over 400 attendees. Collaborated with Multicultural Center (MCC) clubs and outside organizations (including, but not limited to: Center for Sustainability, Santa Clara Community Action Program, Office for Diversity and Inclusion, and SCU Admissions) to connect the MCC clubs and broader community to issues of diversity, inclusion, and intersectionality. Organized safe space discussion-covering topics of race, diversity, privilege, and community awareness. As well as, fostered and shapeed future leaders of the MCC by running "Fresh Mesh." A program where first year students from all MCC clubs are come to learn about the issues affecting other communities, and practical skills that will help them become MCC leaders (event planning, PR, etc).Student-founded and student-run, the Multicultural Center (MCC) is a Chartered Student Organization committed to cultural programming, education, recruitment, and the overall fostering of community. It is dedicated to developing programs which educate the greater the community about cultural awareness and diversity. Show less

    • Global Social Benefit Fellow
      • Mar 2016 - Dec 2016

      The Global Social Benefit Fellowship provides a comprehensive program of mentored, field-based study and action research for undergraduates within the Global Social Benefit Institute (GSBI®) worldwide network of social entrepreneurs. The Fellowship combines a fully funded 6-8 week summer field experience in the developing world with two quarters of academically rigorous research.The mission of Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship at Santa Clara University is to accelerate global, innovation-based entrepreneurship in service to the poor and the planet. Show less

    • Program Assistant, GSBI Online
      • Apr 2016 - Jun 2017

      Assist in the management of the 14 Sub-Saharan social entrepreneurs enrolled in the healthymagination Mother and Child program in partnership with GE. This involved designing and creating various communication tools, included but not limited to investment profiles for social enterprises, instructional videos slide decks for program surveys, and email templates. Additionally, I launched a new learning platform for the Global Social Benefit Institute Online curriculum after several months of research and testing The mission of Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship at Santa Clara University is to accelerate global, innovation-based entrepreneurship in service to the poor and the planet. GSBI Online is a 6-month, virtual program for early-stage social entrepreneurs in the validate stage that gives the enterprises a viable strategy for growing their enterprise in a financially sustainable way with a validated business model. Show less

  • Green For All
    • Oakland, CA
    • Communications Volunteer
      • Nov 2016 - Apr 2017

      Researched national conversation on polluters pay policy, and contacting potential partners for videos and social media. Based on the information researched I then created social media content and scheduled it through Buffer and Hootsuite, as well as designed and formated basic images and video to support launching collaborations and campaigns. Green For All works to build an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty. Their goal is to make sure people of color have a place and a voice in the climate movement. Show less

  • Bana Limited Ugnada
    • Mpigi, Uganda
    • Global Social Benefit Fellow
      • Mar 2016 - Dec 2016

      Spent 8 weeks living, working, traveling and conducting research with Bana and its extensive network engaging in participant observation, conducting interviews, and creating ethnographic field notes. Key Findings: -The combination of the availability of pads and the education received that enables Bana to realize their mission. -Those spreading knowledge and awareness about Bana’s mission become change agents in their community. -Bana’s educational and outreach efforts have created greater demand for their products and services than they can currently provide given their limited resources. Deliverables: -Monitoring and Evaluation tool and plan for their Grand Challenges Canada application to track the various health impacts that Bana has on the community, consisting of two tools: a health report and an interview guide. -An enterprise case study document that details Bana’s theory of change. It explains how Bana spreads awareness, educates communities, and operates as a business. The mission of Bana is to manufacture affordable, eco-friendly sanitary pads through a simple technology that converts banana pseudostems, an abundant and free organic waste, into absorbent paper using natural and recycled materials. This helps makes sanitary pads accessible to girls and young women in rural Uganda who otherwise would not have access or would not be able to afford pads. Show less

    • Computer Networking Products
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Marketing Intern
      • Sep 2015 - Dec 2015

      thethings.iO is the Internet of Things platform that enables fast and scalable connection of things to the Internet, allowing you to monitor and manage your devices in real-time and get flexible analytic reports. As a Marketing Intern my duties were the following: -Translated copy and marketing material for correct grammar in English for investment powerpoints -Analyzed trends in the Internet of Things industry to write weekly blogs on different topics that drove traffic to the blog up 30% -Collaborated with the Director of Marketing to create copy for the company’s Google Adwords campaign Show less

    • United States
    • Higher Education
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Desk Receptionist
      • Sep 2014 - Jun 2015

      As a Desk Receptionist (DR) I worked at the Swig Hall service desk, assisting in the administration of the hall and providing service to students. As a staff member of the Office of Residence Life, I served as an initial representative of the residence hall, the department, and Santa Clara University. As a DR my specific duties were the following: -Supported Residence Life staff in 3 fire drills -Filed paper work for the end of the year check outs -Assisted in daily residence life activities in Swig Hall Show less

    • Secretary and Historian
      • Sep 2014 - Jun 2015

      Student-founded and student-run, the Multicultural Center (MCC) is a Chartered Student Organization committed to cultural programming, education, recruitment, and the overall fostering of community. It is dedicated to developing programs which educate the greater the community about cultural awareness and diversity. -Collaborated with the Center for Sustainability to create a ‘Share Shelf’ that has been used by over 100 students -Organized 25 safe space discussion-covering topics of race, diversity, privilege, and community awareness -Documented student activities in the Center using photos, videos, posters, and a yearbook Show less

Education

  • UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
    Master's degree, City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning
    2018 - 2020
  • Santa Clara University
    Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Environmental Studies and Communication
    2013 - 2017
  • Sammamish High School
    High School Diploma
    2009 - 2013

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