Experience

Blackbird Strategy Group

• Business Consulting and Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Executive Officer

  • Oct 2022 - Present

  Blackbird Strategy Group is a capital markets strategy firm focused on capital deployment strategies rooted in equity. We advise a wide range of capital providers — including financial services and asset management firms, philanthropic foundations, CDFIs, corporations, and private investment funds - to expand equitable access to capital. The firm delivers innovative community- and data-centered solutions to build wealth, agency, and strong ecosystems to address the racial wealth gap and advance economic security, abundance, and sustainable generational wealth and well-being.



BLK GRVTY

• Partner

  • Jan 2023 - Present

  A Force for Wealth and Well-being https://blkgrvty.com/ A Force for Wealth and Well-being https://blkgrvty.com/



Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative

• United States
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Director

  • Nov 2019 - Jun 2022

  ● Executed and developed an integrated and multidisciplinary programmatic strategy for small business growth and sustainability through deep stakeholder engagement, anchor institution partnerships, integrated capital solutions, and access to technical expertise, workforce development, and affordable commercial space ● Served as primary fundraiser to attract and increase investments in community wealth building strategies, successfully secured $5 million in organizational grants and $27 million for technical assistance, grants, and loans to nonprofits and small businesses ● Managed, co-designed, or directly influenced more than $36 million in integrated capital to benefit Black-owned small businesses and nonprofit business support organizations, including designing the AWBI Community Loan Fund strategy, adopted nationally by LISC, to address the needs of historically excluded small businesses



SunTrust

• United States
• Financial Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Vice President - Foundations & Endowments Specialty Practice

  • Jan 2014 - Nov 2019

  Provided comprehensive administrative and institutional investment management services to foundation and endowment clients throughout Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida with over $700 million in total assets, including planned giving and trust administration, grants administration and management, strategic planning, evaluation, board development, regulatory compliance, and general philanthropic consulting. Provided comprehensive administrative and institutional investment management services to foundation and endowment clients throughout Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida with over $700 million in total assets, including planned giving and trust administration, grants administration and management, strategic planning, evaluation, board development, regulatory compliance, and general philanthropic consulting.



Operation HOPE

• Financial Services
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Global VP Strategic Partnerships and Development - Director HOPE Office of Partnerships

  • Jan 2012 - Dec 2013

  Cultivated global strategic partner relationships and encouraged donor participation to support our work in 273 cities in the U.S., as well as South Africa, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to secure the organization’s $15 million revenue goal. Presented national strategies that provided key opportunities for partnership based on the Corporate Reinvestment Act, Financial Services Roundtable, and other federal regulatory guidelines. Cultivated global strategic partner relationships and encouraged donor participation to support our work in 273 cities in the U.S., as well as South Africa, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to secure the organization’s $15 million revenue goal. Presented national strategies that provided key opportunities for partnership based on the Corporate Reinvestment Act, Financial Services Roundtable, and other federal regulatory guidelines.



The McLawhorn Firm, PLLC

• Washington D.C.; Atlanta, Georgia

• Owner/Principal

  • 2006 - 2013

  ● Successfully developed and managed a legal practice with over 40 high-net-worth clients with more than $1.4 billion in assets while maintaining the firm’s mission towards financial literacy. ● Advised venture capitalist, private equity firm owners, professional athletes and large-scale small business owners on estate planning, asset protection, business succession planning, family and corporate foundations, charitable gift planning, wealth management strategies, corporate formation, and governance. ● Counseled nonprofit organizations and associations on incorporation, tax exemption, fundraising compliance, governance, endowments, preservation trusts, and various federal and state regulations.



Arent Fox

• United States
• Law Practice
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Associate

  • 2003 - 2005

  Sparked growth within the estate planning practice by attracting and securing professional athlete and business owner clients. Established the Arent Fox Foundation and served on its management committee. ● Advised clients on federal and state regulations related to trademarks, e-commerce, privacy, advertising, consumer protection, estate planning, and nonprofit law ● Facilitated intellectual property licensing, disposition, clearance, prosecution, and enforcement Sparked growth within the estate planning practice by attracting and securing professional athlete and business owner clients. Established the Arent Fox Foundation and served on its management committee. ● Advised clients on federal and state regulations related to trademarks, e-commerce, privacy, advertising, consumer protection, estate planning, and nonprofit law ● Facilitated intellectual property licensing, disposition, clearance, prosecution, and enforcement