The Storytelling & Community Engagement Coordinator establishes and promotes the Loft’s presence and builds community by developing and maintaining compelling, engaging, and accurate stories and other digital content for the Loft’s website, social media, blog, and other content channels. Additional responsibilities include coordinating public relations and media work and developing tools that advance and deepen the engagement of the community across the Loft’s programs, events, and services.

- Author of #1 New Release "SWEET, YOUNG, & WORRIED" (2022) and #1 Best-Seller in LGBTQ+ Poetry on Amazon "IF MY BODY COULD SPEAK" (2019).

- Facilitated workshops and creative writing lectures for orgs such as Art to Reduce Mental Health Stigma at Brown University and the Undergraduate Mental Health Magazine at Harvard University**- Headlining performer for an audience of over 5,000 at Kommune's Spoken Fest in Mumbai, India (2019)- Featured poet at events for Prairie Center for the Arts, California State University, Marquette University, Macalester College, CU Denver Live!, University of New Hampshire, and Brookdale Community College**- Guest blogger for The Emily Program, The Poetry Question, and To Write Love On Her Arms**- Work has been featured by the Academy of American Poets, Ours Poetica x The Poetry Foundation, Ken Burns' PBS documentary "Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness," The Huffington Post, ELLE India, The Body is Not An Apology, TEDxMinneapolis, VICE, Yahoo News, Bustle, and The Mighty****complete lists available upon request

- Spent 3 beautiful weeks creating brand new content (both written and digital) and experimenting with form as an Artist-in-Residence at Montalvo Arts Center. My visit was sponsored by the McKnight Artists Foundation and The Loft Literary Center as an extension of my 2020 Fellowship in Spoken Word Poetry.

Conducted virtual proofreading, editing, and publishing consultations via Zoom for individual poems and full-length manuscripts; servicing over fifty clients of diverse ages, writing backgrounds, and skill levels (November 2016 - December 2022) https://blythebaird.com/classes"I never meant to do anything with my writing, just get emotion out. But Blythe took me from words as therapy to words with intent and images with power and precision." - Elizabeth Johnson, former student-- WRITE BLOODY PUBLISHING: Delivered in-depth manuscript draft feedback for upcoming Write Bloody titles (August 2022 - Present)

Created educational art-based literary courses for The Loft's summer programs, including serving as a teacher-in-residence for the "Bring the Loft to You" initiative, where I presented students with a curriculum of my own design to supplement Turtle Lake Elementary's preexisting learning objectivesCourses I have taught:- WRITING ABOUT PETS: In this charming class, we adopt small “desk pets” to inspire us throughout the week as we explore writing about our cutest furry (and scaly!) friends. Ages 9-11. (July 2022)- WRITING THE FANTASY WORLD: We’ll talk about the common-sense rules of writing place-based fiction (ranging from the basic laws of science to the physical limitations of characters), and how to step outside those rules to make our stories even more interesting. Grades 4-6. (June 2022)- PERFORMING AND EDITING SPOKEN WORD POETRY: In this class, we will explore strategies to create an impactful spoken word poem, collaboratively edit to prepare to take on the stage, and practice performance exercises to strengthen our delivery. Ages 13-17. (July-August 2019)- INTRODUCTION TO SPOKEN WORD AND POETRY SLAM: This engaging class centers around hands-on writing activities and creative exercises to learn the basics of poetry slam. Ages 13-17. (July 2018)

- Developed more advanced opticianry skills, such as how adjusting/selling luxury frames made of unique materials like acrylic (Kirk and Kirk Eyewear), gold-plated titanium (Leisure Society), or wood (ROLF)- Individually generated an average of over 420k in gross annual revenue- Guided patients through understanding their insurance coverage, adapting to progressive lenses, completing triage forms for optical emergencies, and troubleshooting various prescription issues- Provided extraordinary and detail-oriented service, garnering 10+ organic Google/Yelp reviews**** “I am so happy with the service I received at Art of Optiks! Blythe was so helpful in picking out amazing frames! She made me feel special throughout the entire experience!” - Monique Hawkins-Carlson (Google Reviews)** “Blythe was amazing throughout the entire process: selecting the perfect frame for my unique face shape, applying insurance wherever possible, providing ease of pick-up/final frame adjustment all the while being helpful, knowledgable, stylish, and kind.” - Katie O. (Google Reviews)** “Blythe took it all up a notch with her friendliness and attention to detail.” - O.M. (Google Reviews)

- Won store competition for SEE credit card sign-ups, garnering 13 in a one-month period (March 2019)- Learned the basics of the optical industry including taking eyewear measurements, lensometry, placing orders to a lab, prescription analysis, adjustments/repairs, and providing customized frame suggestions- Created rotating weekly artistic advertisements on the chalkboard displayed in front of the store

- Planned and executed 22 unique campus events, routinely surpassing attendance goals- Booked artists including Hieu Minh Nguyen, Sierra DeMulder, Siaara Freeman, G Yamazawa, Rachel McKibbens, Paul Tran, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, Olivia Gatwood, Kwabena Foli, and more - Collected detailed post-event surveys, interpreting and implementing feedback from participants to inform future advertising methods and to ensure programming decisions reflected the voices, interests, and identities of the student population

- Served as a friendly and informative first point of contact for all guests visiting the HU Creative Writing Programs house- Compiled and edited publishing opportunities for weekly email newsletters distributed to BFA, MFA, AND MFAC students- Assisted professors and faculty with the preparation and distribution of course materials