Development Director

• May 2023 - Present

Founder & CEO

• 2020 - Present

Development Director

• 2022 - 2023

Racquet Up Detroit is an out-of-school youth development program that uses the sport of squash in combination with academic tutoring, literacy development, fitness education, community service, and mentoring to make a lasting positive impact on the lives of Detroit public school students. Founded in 2010 through a collaboration with the Squash and Education Alliance (SEA), Racquet Up works with over one hundred 5th to 12th-grade students and 40 post-secondary graduates. As the Development Director, I am responsible for building an effective and efficient development department, contributing to and executing Racquet Up’s 5-year Strategic Plan, including, but not limited to: ~Leading fundraising campaigns, such as Annual Fund Mailing, Double Down, capital, and endowment campaigns ~Prospecting foundation and corporate funding opportunities ~Managing grant writing and reporting process ~Coordinating donor recognition and appreciation, including thank you letters and gifts ~Contributing to annual fundraising strategy and planning ~Analyzing fundraising results and producing reports ~Overseeing and integrating communications efforts, including printed and electronic newsletters, website, social media ~Creating marketing materials for various audiences, including donors, volunteers, media, the general public, students, and families ~Supporting with preparation for board meetings ~Coordinating and facilitating regular Development Committee meetings ~Supervising and supporting the Development and Communications Coordinator Show less

Deputy Director

• 2022 - 2022

Leadership & Vision • Support & implement a clear vision for the continued growth of JSCDC & long-term fiscal viability that is consistent with JSCDC’s mission, values, & strategic plan • Support JSCDC’s fund development strategy to diversify & increase the number of funders & manage grant opportunities • Initiate & strengthen relationships & collaborations that will advance JSCDC’s mission & purpose • Work with leadership & community engagement staff to serve as a visible & effective spokesperson for the organization & represent the organization in the media as needed Board Relations • Ensure the board is regularly briefed on JSCDC’s programmatic efforts & planning Management, Finance, Administration Work with the JSCDC’s leadership team & other staff, as required, to ensure that: • Program design, implementation & work plans are established that advance the strategies established in the strategic planning process • Communications reflect JSCDC’s mission, values, & strategic plan • Day-to-day JSCDC operations are professionally & efficiently organized & administered • Staff members are recruited & trained in a manner consistent with JSCDC’s mission, values, & policies Programs • Lead JSCDC’s Community & Economic Development (CED) efforts in coordination with the CED Director • Design & implement new CED programs • Fundraise to support CED Programs • Support daily operations including grant reporting & administrative responsibilities to effectively operate CED programs • Oversee the Community Health (CH) programs with the CH Director & Executive Director. • Recruit, retain & organize JSCDC volunteer engagement efforts with communications staff & volunteers • Organize & implement community meetings, feedback sessions & surveys to stay connected with our mission & vision • Work with the communications staff to articulate JSCDC’s programs & impact • Lead community partnerships efforts by attending meetings with various stakeholders & community groups Show less

Programs Director

• 2021 - 2021

Manager of Strategic Partnerships

• 2019 - 2021

Strategic Communications & Event Leadership • Oversaw strategic partnerships, managed communications with stakeholders & leadership • Built, managed, & recruited new strategic partnerships • Created press releases, newsletters, website copy, social media plans • Managed PLAY Marketing Team, meet w/ youth & generated newsletter • Collaborated with leadership team to oversee Milo Project • Ensured all program facilitators were trained on KIR SA curriculum • Co-coordinated community events, designed setup, secured speakers, designed decor, etc. • Collaborated with Health Educators to plan testing events, health fairs, social media, • Oversaw Advisory Council; maintained Recruitment & Retention Plan for Council Grant Management & Reporting • Co-managed grant writing & reviewed process; understood all requirements • Worked with Grant Manager to ensure data is accurate, collected, & sent to UM • Generated quarterly report in SAMHSA system & developed PO update quarterly • Facilitated weekly learning, strategy sessions, research, & prep meetings Show less

Operations Consultant

• 2019 - 2019

• Assisted with planning the 2016-2018 Neighborhoods Rising Summit program• Co-planned 12 workshops, 50+ panelists/moderators, 30 vendors, & 400+ attendees annually• Directed Neighborhoods Day program w/ thousands of volunteers, & 225+ events each year• Analyzed item distribution days for Neighborhoods Day program • Led internal & external communications, developed community event strategies• Assisted in preparing budgets, marketing, research, & supervision of volunteers• Developed plan & executed Christmas coat drive in 2017• Created 22-page strategic communications plan leading to new funding & sponsorships Show less

Operations Officer

• 2016 - 2019

Substitute Teacher (Contractual)

• 2016 - 2016

• Guided learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals • Established clear objectives for all lessons, units, projects, etc. • Guided learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals • Established clear objectives for all lessons, units, projects, etc.

Communications and Membership Consultant (Contractual)

• 2016 - 2016

• Developed communications plan for social media, media relations, etc. • Assisted CEO with communication for education policy & other mission-related issues • Led education reform efforts for parent groups & represented community committees • Developed communications plan for social media, media relations, etc. • Assisted CEO with communication for education policy & other mission-related issues • Led education reform efforts for parent groups & represented community committees

Marketing and Communications Consultant (Contractual)

• 2016 - 2016

Events (Contractual)

• 2015 - 2016

• Effectively planned, maintained & coordinated annual events while seeking opportunities for future fundraising activities • Supported Detroit ministry events; event logistics, tracking budget, coordination of décor & working with volunteer committees • Solicited & expanded sponsorship development & coordinated silent/live auctions • Effectively planned, maintained & coordinated annual events while seeking opportunities for future fundraising activities • Supported Detroit ministry events; event logistics, tracking budget, coordination of décor & working with volunteer committees • Solicited & expanded sponsorship development & coordinated silent/live auctions

Director of Programs and Community Affairs

• 2015 - 2015

• Secured partnership with Detroit Housing Commission to provide resources & services to 16 residential buildings (3k residents) • Developed entire inpatient substance abuse program for women • Secured partnership with Detroit Housing Commission to provide resources & services to 16 residential buildings (3k residents) • Developed entire inpatient substance abuse program for women

Director of Development and Community Affairs

• 2014 - 2015

• Oversaw & managed all programs & services, events, community outreach, branding, etc. • Ensured expansion/execution of yearly program plans containing program goals • Built 70-page strategic communications plan; resulted in new funding, event sponsors, etc. • Achieved an 80% increase in social media 2-way communication • Created relationship with BOD to promote & integrate organizational mission • Secured various grants of over of up to $110,000 • Oversaw & managed all programs & services, events, community outreach, branding, etc. • Ensured expansion/execution of yearly program plans containing program goals • Built 70-page strategic communications plan; resulted in new funding, event sponsors, etc. • Achieved an 80% increase in social media 2-way communication • Created relationship with BOD to promote & integrate organizational mission • Secured various grants of over of up to $110,000

Marketing Specialist

• 2013 - 2014

•Managed marketing events, tradeshows & exhibits for marketing purposes, including calendars and budgets • Created & prepared reports & presentations to support business development decisions & satisfy reporting requirements • Co-coordinated the production of marketing materials working with local & global Ricardo resources •Managed marketing events, tradeshows & exhibits for marketing purposes, including calendars and budgets • Created & prepared reports & presentations to support business development decisions & satisfy reporting requirements • Co-coordinated the production of marketing materials working with local & global Ricardo resources

Director of Public Relations & Marketing

• 2011 - 2013

• Assisted with annual budget preparation; generated & distributed promotional/sponsorship packages• Managed & coordinated marketing research; communicated vision & direction to sponsors, & developed new promotionsresearch. Identify and develop new promotional

Director of Marketing and Promotions

• 2009 - 2011

Public Relations and Marketing

• 2012 - 2012

Proofread & co-wrote marketing materials; web content, ads, brochures, newsletters, direct mail, e-mails campaigns, etc. Set up stories & photos in content management system; maintained news clip archives & posted news clips to website Proofread & co-wrote marketing materials; web content, ads, brochures, newsletters, direct mail, e-mails campaigns, etc. Set up stories & photos in content management system; maintained news clip archives & posted news clips to website

Grants and Foundation Relations

• 2012 - 2012

Developed grant proposals for hospice care and or specific project funding. Researched data on community needs, trends regarding accessibility to health care, and sources that tie to end-of-life issues. Met with development staff about program outcomes and services provided. Developed grant proposals for hospice care and or specific project funding. Researched data on community needs, trends regarding accessibility to health care, and sources that tie to end-of-life issues. Met with development staff about program outcomes and services provided.

Traditional/New Media Specialist

• 2012 - 2012

Prepare content and manage communications for company Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn; produce press releases as needed. Monitor and assess social network outcomes on a daily basis in coordination with client expectations. Create/build communities and sustain existing social media relationships by proactively engaging with several audiences. Prepare content and manage communications for company Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn; produce press releases as needed. Monitor and assess social network outcomes on a daily basis in coordination with client expectations. Create/build communities and sustain existing social media relationships by proactively engaging with several audiences.

Public Relations and Marketing

• 2011 - 2012

Advertising: submitted creative briefs and requests to advertising agency for collateral and advertising initiatives; assisted with vendor and production management; proofread all creative comps; released invoice payments on blanket purchase orders through MMS. Communication/PR: helped manage media and public relations efforts including monitoring coverage and opportunities in key media, selling in stories and handling media inquiries; identifying and coordinating participation in key external events. Database Marketing: assisted with analysis segmentation of player database; created campaigns and promotional offers for players; developed promotions in casino management system. Promotions/Events: assisted in execution of promotions, events and tournaments; created instructional promotion information. Show less

Public Relations and Marketing

• 2011 - 2011

Supported the marketing team and sales staff in preparation for territory visits and tradeshows by designing, collating, proofreading, and printing materials; prepared flyers, press releases, company bio’s and profiles. Assisted in trade show booth design and set up, shipping trade show materials and travel arrangements. Prepared competition analysis reports; contributed to reputation tracking, image campaigns and video production; managed content and communications on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and company blog. Show less

Promotions Director / Internship Coordinator (HOT 102.7, 105.9 KISS FM, WCHB 1200 AM)

• 2009 - 2010

Coordinated all details of sales promotions/appearances. Supervised prize inventory and maintained promotional prize closet. Translated sales and programming goals into creative and efficient promotional solutions. Developed a media plan with the Marketing Director for special events. Created marketing/promotions plan with Marketing Director. Maintained and updated calendar events, appearances and giveaways. Assisted in management of all special events and large station promotions. Maintained records of all prize winners and prize receipt. Developed listener response letters on behalf of the station(s) to address complaints or concerns. Maintained strong street presence for the station(s) in the Detroit metropolitan area daily. Reviewed with Marketing Director distribution of the station(s) diaries to maximize audience potential. Show less

Sales (FM 98 WJLB, FM 95.5 WKQI, FM 92.3 WMXD 92.3, FM 100.3 WNIC, AM 1130)

• 2007 - 2008

Operated directly with the DOS and Sales Managers to create weekly revenue projections, competitives, and other sales reports. Worked closely with programming to assure commercial spots were ran on-air. Assisted Sales Executives in organizing and creating promotional events with national R&B and hip-hop artists, local venues and businesses. Created proposals and recaps of sales events, concerts, etc.

Assistant Marketing Director / Web Content Coordinator (FM 98 WJLB)

• 2006 - 2007

Oversaw all aspects of station promotions and managed a 19-member promotions team and interns. Assisted national directors of urban radio, regional promotions managers and artist development representatives at major labels such as Sony BMG, Universal Music Distribution and others. Organized promotional events with national R&B and Hip Hop Artists. Worked with cross functional teams to execute station events. Implemented online promotions, online exclusive events, and e-blasts which resulted in a 200% increase in listener membership and increased sales revenue. Show less

Promotions / Production Assistant (FM 98 WJLB & WMXD 92.3 FM)

• 2006 - 2006

Prepared promotional information for on-air talent to discuss during their show. Assisted in exclusive and national promotions, website updates, and produce commercial spots. Worked closely with sales department to assure commercial spots were properly produced. Assisted in producing the Michael Baisden Show, Ranked #1 Syndicated Show in Detroit, MI for ages 25 to 54.

Radio Jock Assistant / Producer (FM 98 WJLB)

• 2005 - 2006

Assisted popular radio personality “Kris Kelley” with the day-to-day operations of producing a top rated radio show. Generated and researched ideas to help increase the number of listeners. Developed content and writing material for show. Managed the logistics of getting resources instantly. Responded to audience feedback immediately. Booked phone interviews, managed show schedule & itinerary, and air talent’s appearances.