STRATEGIC PROGRAM AND COMMUNICATION LEADER

Strategic leader with more than 20 years of experience leading high-impact initiatives, strengthening organizations, building partnerships, improving stakeholder engagement and delivering measurable results.  Proven success leading complex initiatives, securing grant funding, aligning diverse stakeholders around shared goals and translating complex challenges into practical solutions. Accredited in Public Relations (APR) with expertise spanning strategic communication, project leadership, organizational change, partnership development and community engagement. Known for moving stalled initiatives forward, building trust across organizations and communities and turning vision into measurable results.

  • Strategic Planning

  • Project Management

  • Strategic communication

  • Organizational Leadership

CORE COMPETENCIES

  • Stakeholder Engagement

  • Partnership Development

  • Grant Writing & Resource Development

  • Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Change Management

  • Process Improvement

  • Community Engagement

  • Executive communication

  • Program Development

  • Media Relations

  • Crisis communication

  • Relationship Building

SELECTED CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Awarded a $10,000 America250 Mississippi Grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council to lead Beyond the Census, a public humanities initiative preserving historically significant records and reconnecting families with their history. 

  • Increased earned media coverage by 85% during the first year at Jackson State University through strategic media relations, storytelling and proactive communication.

  • Led Jackson State University's $400,000 institutional rebranding initiative, coordinating campus stakeholders to strengthen the university's visual identity and institutional brand.

  • Developed and led the People of Jackson State storytelling campaign, strengthening institutional pride, increasing alumni giving by more than 5% and supporting student recruitment through authentic storytelling.

  • Raised more than $1,000 in private donations within two weeks to provide underserved elementary students with personalized, high-quality classroom supplies months after traditional back-to-school giving had ended, ensuring every student had the tools needed for the second half of the school year.

  • Built and led high-performing communication teams at institutions ranging from one of the nation's largest universities and the largest HBCU in the country to one of the nation's smallest private colleges, creating collaborative, results-oriented cultures that strengthened organizational communication and stakeholder engagement.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • Founder and Principal
    Crimson Stories | Feb 2024 – Present

    • Founded a strategic communications and public humanities consulting firm specializing in branding, strategic communications, photography, genealogy, digital storytelling and legacy preservation.

      Lead client communications, writing, branding, special projects and partnerships with nonprofits, businesses and community organizations.

      Secured a competitive $10,000 America250 Mississippi Grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council to lead Beyond the Census, preserving Delta Burial Corporation records and expanding access to Mississippi history.

  • Communication Manager
    Tennessee Charter School Center | Memphis, TN     |  March 2020 – May 2024

    • Directed statewide strategic communications supporting organizational priorities, advocacy initiatives, and member engagement.

    • Led integrated marketing initiatives that increased website traffic 20%, social media engagement 10%, and Charter Champion Award nominations 300%.

    • Developed executive communications, digital content, newsletters, and marketing materials for diverse audiences.

  • Communication Specialist

    University of Central Florida|Nicholson School of Communication and Media |March 2016 – March 2020

    • Led branding, website strategy, integrated marketing, and stakeholder communications.

    • Increased website traffic 106% through user-centered redesign and digital strategy.

    • Managed a $30,000 marketing budget, vendor partnerships, and major university events.

    • Coordinated communications reaching 30 countries, increasing conference satisfaction 10%.

  • Jackson State University
    Photography Director
    Previously promoted from Assistant Public Relations Manager to Manager of Public Relations
    March 2004 – June 2013

    Led strategic communication, media relations, branding, executive communication, public affairs and visual communication for the nation's largest HBCU.

    • Led strategic communications, branding, media relations, executive communications and public affairs.

    • Directed integrated communications supporting enrollment, fundraising, legislative priorities and advancement across multiple platforms.

    • Increased earned media coverage 85%, led the university's $400,000 rebranding initiative, and developed People of Jackson State, increasing alumni giving 5.4%.

    • Supervised staff, photographers, student employees, vendors and cross-functional teams while managing creative services and crisis communications.

  • Public Relations Director & Mass Communication Instructor
    Rust College – Holly Springs, MS | July 2014 – June 2015 

    • Led institutional branding, media relations, creative services and digital communication.

    • Supervised student workers, creative teams and freelance contributors.

    • Increased student and alumni engagement 40% through strategic storytelling.

    • Reduced publication costs 50% while improving publication quality and brand consistency.

EDUCATION

Master of Arts in Journalism, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS 

Bachelor of Arts in English, Rust College, Holly Springs, MS

Accreditation in Public Relations, Universal Accreditation Board, New York, NY, 2018

SKILLS AND TOOLS

Project & Workflow Management
Trello • ClickUp • Asana • Microsoft Teams • Monday.com (familiar) • Google Workspace • Microsoft 365 Suite

Digital Marketing & Email Platforms
Mailchimp • Constant Contact • Email Campaign Development • List Segmentation • Performance Tracking

Design & Multimedia
Adobe InDesign • Adobe Illustrator • Adobe Photoshop • Adobe Lightroom • Canva • Photopia

Data & Web Tools
Web CMS (WordPress) • Analytics & Reporting • SEO Best Practices • Meltwater (familiar)

PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL AFFILIATIONS

  • Member, Public Relations Society of America, Memphis chapter

  • Member, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.