Communications & Marketing Manager

• Jun 2022 - Present

Freelance Public Relations

• May 2009 - Present

• Branding and event creation • Event coordination • Press and client contact list creation • Press releases and company communications • Promoting events and company on television, Internet and radio • Setting up appointments and interviews for clients • Social media site management • Soliciting media coverage for clients, products and events Past projects: • SISTA Stroll Walk for HIV Awareness and Prevention, annual charity event in Columbus, Ga.-www.columbussista.com. Served as co-creator of fundraiser, organizer and media relations. (2009-2010) • Saturday Wind-Down Business Networking Night, local monthly social and business event in Columbus, Ga. Co-host and promotions. (2009-2010) • The Cope Project, a youth mentoring program in Baton Rouge, La. Editor for Internet site and press communications. (2010) • Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension Program. Contract editor for publications. (2010) Show less

Communication and Public Relations Specialist

• Aug 2017 - Jun 2022

Leads development, management and execution of strategic communications activities that drive the business objectives for seven unique lines of business. Works closely with key stakeholders within the organization to initiate programs to support brand awareness and positioning. Responsible for establishing, owning and growing relationships with key media and community partners. Researches and develops media strategies specific to the long-term care industry and different lines of business. Establishes and drives online and social communications. Develops communication plans and leads the execution of those plans with demonstrated results. • Creation and implementation of content marketing strategy for seven different lines of business • Creation of market analysis reports and public relations plans • Crisis communications planning • Development of content for internal and external communications, including blogs, articles, video scripts, speeches, talking points, website content and social media posts • Management of media relations with local, regional and national outlets • Media prep of personnel • Press event coordination and planning • Research of topics that impact the long-term healthcare industry and the elderly and/or disabled population Show less

Marketing and Events Coordinator

• Aug 2016 - Dec 2016

Led and assisted in the development and presentation of marketing programs and strategies to promote the services of The Compliance Store, the only online comprehensive regulatory resource for long-term care, to potential and current customers. Led and assisted in the development of new markets for The Compliance Store, coordinated with both Sales and Operations to determine customer needs and partnership opportunities. Collaborated with all departments to accomplish marketing and sales objectives, while exceeding all customer and company expectations. Show less

Communications Specialist

• Aug 2011 - Jul 2016

• Assisted in formulating marketing and communications plans • Built and managed media relations with local, regional and national outlets • Co-advisor of student newspaper and co-managed student interns • Crisis communications planning • Managed and implemented editorial calendar for website stories, social media and various assignments • Media prep of personnel • Press event coordination and planning • Social media site management- Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter • Took photos and edited them for use Accomplishments: • Created event appearance guide for requesting and vetting event appearances for Office of the President • Increased Facebook fan base by 76 percent in one year • Increased LinkedIn followers by 81.9 percent in one year • Negotiated and purchased radio media advertising for 2011 and 2014 Fall Open House • Prepared talking points and wrote video scripts and quotes for sixth Tuskegee University president and acting president, 2014 • Wrote 2012, 2013 and 2014 commencement speeches and remarks for sixth Tuskegee University president and administration representatives • Wrote content for president’s annual report, 2011-2016 Media coordination events: • Dual groundbreaking ceremonies for the Carver Integrative Sustainability Center in Tuskegee, Ala. and Black Belt Family Farm Fruit and Vegetable Marketing and Innovation Center in Selma, Ala. (2011) • “Red Tails” movie premiere at Tuskegee University (2012) • Visit and address by Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the 18th chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff (2012) • 2014 Science and Technology Open House • 2014 George Washington Carver Convocation • Community celebration for return of Golden Tigers men’s basketball team after winning 2014 NCAA Division II South Region championship • Introductory address and press conference for Dr. Brian Johnson, Tuskegee University’s seventh president (2014) • First Lady Michelle Obama’s spring commencement address (2015) Show less

Copy editor and page designer

• Oct 2007 - Mar 2009

• Chose wire and local content for daily Local News section and weekly East Alabama News publication• Contributed ideas and input to daily news and copy desk meetings• Designed and edited during the transition to a universal copy desk• Designed and edited front and inside pages• Posted and re-edited stories for the newspaper’s website• Worked on several publications and deadlines simultaneously• Worked simultaneously as a staff writer and copy designer

Staff writer and editor

• Jan 2000 - Oct 2007

• Edited local and wire copy for style and grammar• Wrote recreation sports, features, news and business stories for daily publication• Wrote weekly centerpiece story for Hometown Sports section