Experience

City of Newark

• United States
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Consultant, Office of Violence Prevention

  • Oct 2022 - Present

  Newark, New Jersey • Write and manage grants for anti-violence initiative • Manage strategic partnerships with corporations, anchor institutions, and community based organizations • Oversee special projects including construction of a community center



Retreat Consulting Group

• Principal | Consultant

  • Oct 2022 - Present

  Newark Symphony Hall|Newark Housing Authority Scholarship Foundation |United Community Corporation| Marion P. Thomas Charter School Foundation|Unite Political Action Committee |Election Fund of Patrick O. Council • Devise and execute fundraising, marketing, and membership strategy • Manage events from inception to completion including galas, golf outings, celebrity events, and donor cultivation receptions • Produce marketing and event collateral material • Establish… Show more Newark Symphony Hall|Newark Housing Authority Scholarship Foundation |United Community Corporation| Marion P. Thomas Charter School Foundation|Unite Political Action Committee |Election Fund of Patrick O. Council • Devise and execute fundraising, marketing, and membership strategy • Manage events from inception to completion including galas, golf outings, celebrity events, and donor cultivation receptions • Produce marketing and event collateral material • Establish public-private and other key partnerships for clients Show less



Lotus Enterprises

• Founder | Director

  • Jun 2005 - Present

  Montclair, New Jersey and Newark, New Jersey • Offer yoga + meditation classes, yoga + meditation teacher training programs, design and implementation of wellness services, and curation of wellness spaces for clients including Newark Public Schools, Orange Public Schools, Newark Housing Authority and City of Newark, Office of Violence Prevention • Developed and oversaw Newark Housing Authority’s NHA C.A.R.E.S. Senior Wellness Program providing activities and services that support the physical, mental and emotional well-being of senior… Show more • Offer yoga + meditation classes, yoga + meditation teacher training programs, design and implementation of wellness services, and curation of wellness spaces for clients including Newark Public Schools, Orange Public Schools, Newark Housing Authority and City of Newark, Office of Violence Prevention • Developed and oversaw Newark Housing Authority’s NHA C.A.R.E.S. Senior Wellness Program providing activities and services that support the physical, mental and emotional well-being of senior residents • Created and direct the Lotus Yoga Teacher Training Program that has certified over 150 teachers and the 100-Hour Meditation Mentor Training Program for junior and senior high school students • Designed yoga and meditation programs for schools, detention centers, senior centers and hospitals • Developed Lotus Yoga summer camp for Newark youth • Founded Lotus in Action, the not-for-profit arm of Lotus Enterprises • Acted as advocate for incarcerated youth Show less



Heart of Oregon Corps

• United States
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Development + Communications

  • Jan 2022 - Oct 2022

  Bend, Oregon, United States • Headed development strategy and implementation • Launched $25M capital campaign for centralized campus • Wrote grants for work and educational opportunities for disengaged youth • Planned and oversaw fundraising events including annual farm to fork dinner • Created marketing collateral and handled all PR including writing press releases, managing press inquiries, and scheduling interviews



City of Newark

• United States
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Special Advisor, Office of the Mayor

  • May 2018 - Jan 2022

  Newark, New Jersey • Supported business leaders and community stakeholders in navigating all aspects of city related business • Developed and managed public-private partnerships to improve the quality of life for Newark residents • Produced special events including Mayor Baraka’s First Annual Community Cookout and the Welcome Home Celebration for World Champion boxer Shakur Stevenson • Acted as liaison between the City of Newark and Viacom on operations for the MTV Music Video Awards held at Prudential… Show more • Supported business leaders and community stakeholders in navigating all aspects of city related business • Developed and managed public-private partnerships to improve the quality of life for Newark residents • Produced special events including Mayor Baraka’s First Annual Community Cookout and the Welcome Home Celebration for World Champion boxer Shakur Stevenson • Acted as liaison between the City of Newark and Viacom on operations for the MTV Music Video Awards held at Prudential Arena in Newark, NJ, August 2019 • Managed fundraising and operations for COVID-19 Food Operation providing support to Newark residents in need of food and essentials • Directed administrative process for City of Newark’s COVID-19 Reopening & Economic Recovery Task Force • Initiated and managed the process of fundraising for Newark’s first city-owned no-kill animal shelter Show less



All Stars Project, Inc.

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Executive Director

  • Aug 2016 - Oct 2017

  Newark, New Jersey • Led and acquired funding for key expansion projects: Operation Conversation: Cops & Kids, Development School for Youth/Summer Youth Employment and the All Stars Project in Jersey City • Established partnerships with community-based organizations and between the All Stars Project of New Jersey and the office of Mayor Ras Baraka, the Newark Municipal Council, the Newark Police Department and Newark Public Schools allowing for citywide growth of the All Stars Project’s… Show more • Led and acquired funding for key expansion projects: Operation Conversation: Cops & Kids, Development School for Youth/Summer Youth Employment and the All Stars Project in Jersey City • Established partnerships with community-based organizations and between the All Stars Project of New Jersey and the office of Mayor Ras Baraka, the Newark Municipal Council, the Newark Police Department and Newark Public Schools allowing for citywide growth of the All Stars Project’s programs • Increased revenue by building relationships with key institutional funders and Newark-based corporations • Produced press conference and funders breakfast for key partnership project with the City of Newark • Managed and fostered professional development opportunities for staff of 12 employees Show less



City of Newark

• United States
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Advisor of Special Projects

  • Jul 2014 - Aug 2016

  Newark, New Jersey - Created programs, developed partnerships, acquired funding and launched the Centers of Hope, community-based centers that offer services to Newark residents including education, recreation, arts and culture and health and wellness - Designed programs and acquired funding for Summer Fun in the City events and programs providing recreation, arts & culture, literacy and health and wellness services throughout the city serving over 20,000 residents annually - Collaborated with developers… Show more - Created programs, developed partnerships, acquired funding and launched the Centers of Hope, community-based centers that offer services to Newark residents including education, recreation, arts and culture and health and wellness - Designed programs and acquired funding for Summer Fun in the City events and programs providing recreation, arts & culture, literacy and health and wellness services throughout the city serving over 20,000 residents annually - Collaborated with developers and managed park renovations in low-income neighborhoods - Facilitated ongoing Newark Business Advisory Council meetings comprised of a nonpartisan group of business leaders throughout the City of Newark from large, mid-size and small businesses committed to addressing issues impacting economic development - Key Programs Produced - Newark’s Summer Youth Employment Program - The annual Sing in Praise of King event featuring keynote speakers Harry Belafonte and Reverend Jesse Jackson as well as an array of musical talent - Annual Shaquille O’Neal 3-On-3 Basketball Tournament - Book release events for Shaquille O’Neal’s Little Shaq & Sister Souljah’s Midnight 3: A Moment of Silence - Community movie screenings and panel discussions for Creed, Selma, and The Black Panthers - The citywide Back to School Bus Tour, providing thousands of students in need with backpacks and school supplies - The Mayor’s Family Reunion, an annual event taking thousands of Newark residents to a country setting to enjoy a day of healthy food, swimming, games and more Town hall series reaching thousands of residents • Managed ongoing development of public-private partnerships for the purpose of providing education, recreation, arts & culture and health and wellness to Newark residents Show less



Self-Employed

• Marketing Consultant

  • Jan 2002 - Jan 2004

  Montclair, New Jersey • The Jazz Catalog: Merchandised, performed list management, copywrote and edited, and handled production and distribution • Natural Journeys website: Merchandised, served as special features writer, and copywrote and edited



A+E Networks

• United States
• Entertainment Providers
• 700 & Above Employee

• Director of Direct Marketing

  • Jan 2000 - Jan 2002

  New York, New York • Merchandised and performed list management, copy editing, production and distribution for A&E Television Catalog; created two spin off catalogs for the network: The History Channel Catalog and the Biography Catalog, executing same responsibilities • Managed marketing budget of over $15M