Operational responsibility for grantmaking activity across several portfolios within the Program department while driving progress toward department grantmaking goals using values and data-driven approach, oversight of existing priorities, and leading new strategic initiatives aligned with The Wayfarer Foundation’s strategic plan.  Ensures that program department operations are strong, including budget, project, and relationship management, that grantmaking practice remains relevant and responsive, and that it centers on spirituality and racial justice.  Responsible for managing a responsive and proactive grantmaking portfolio that enhances the nonprofit sector’s ability to identify and address in a culturally responsive and comprehensive manner the needs of community members.  Facilitates collaboration with other departments and, thus, be acquainted with other areas of the Foundation’s work and operations and engage in cross-organizational strategic discussions.

Facilitates the grantmaking and other philanthropic goals for the Foundation with a focus on using art to transform communities in a spiritual and positive way, centering humanity and respect for the resilience of grassroots nonprofits.

• Plan, promote and organize artistic, musical and cultural events• Marketing • Public Relations • Development • Handles all bookkeeping and financial record maintenance • Curriculum and lesson plan development for media literacy program • Formulates empirical research and data methods for testing media literacy in student participants• Administers social media updates on various sites• Plan and arrange travel and lodging accommodations for guest• Create promotional materials including videos and flyers• Assigns tasks and delegates responsibilities to employees• Develops, implements, monitors, and administrates programs to strengthen aims of 1Hood Media • Films, records and edits footage for use in 1Hood Media programming and for public viewing• Supervises, motivates, and evaluates initiatives of employees

• Development (Secured multiple artist related grants)• Negotiate terms of performance, speaking engagements, and panels• Draft contractual agreements for speaking engagements, performances, and panels• Drafts workshop and proposal descriptions• Plan and arrange travel and lodging accommodations• Create promotional materials including videos, flyers, CD and DVD covers• Take headshots and other photographs utilized in promotional material • Films footage for use in music videos• Researches and coordinates other artist opportunities as they arise• Schedules all artist engagements• Represents artist as needed

Provides leadership for the arts and culture portfolio and engages collaboratively with other members of the arts and culture team to ensure that grantmaking reflects rigorous quantitative and qualitative research into the cultural sector. Principal responsibility for shaping grantmaking, convening and support strategies, including the development and oversight of special initiatives. Develops impact measures and regularly assess and analyze progress toward the goals and outcomes of the Arts and Culture portfolio.

Having worked both Section 245 and Citizenship, acquired extensive knowledge of Citizenship and Immigration Service laws, regulations, policies and operational instructions through formal training and self-study. Preadjudicates applications for applicants and petitioners seeking benefits under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) via independent research concerning the eligibility and entitlement of persons seeking benefits.Evaluates petitions and applications ensuring accordance with current Immigration law and policy. Conducts preliminary fact-finding and initiation further action where necessary. Accesses operating systems such as Central Index System (CIS), National Crime and Information Center (NCIC) Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS) to retrieve relevant information to assist in the preadjudication process of applications and petitions. Respond to inquiries from the applicants and petitioners concerning adjudication procedures, laws, regulations, and Service policy both orally and in writing. Maintain statistical data for the use of assessing daily performance in keeping with targeted deadlines and call-ups.Furnish information, guidance, and assistance to applicants, petitioners, and their representatives, local agencies, other government departments and special interest groups.Handle personnel related actions such as payroll, overtime, and annual/sick leave requests, acting as time and attendance clerk. Has worked as back-up Immigration Information Officer.

Responsible for maintenance of various accounts/contracts held by the Chicago District INS Office. I was responsible for obtaining, monitoring, reviewing, and allocating funds for the bills associated with these contracts. I helped to formulate ideas enabling the office to obtain the best services at the best price. I processed travel vouchers, supplies, and training request from varied departments. In this position, I also sat on rating panels, assisting in the selection of positions to the management team.I have established work priorities, made decisions on resources needed, managed given government funding within budget constraints and made recommendations to management concerning utilization of resources available.