REACH is the result of Chicago Scholars' two decades of supporting 5,000+ students to get to and through college and into careers at twice the national average. REACH is a virtual world where students can interact with Mentors and Companies Work through bite-sized college and career content paths Navigate real-world tasks like internships and interviews.

I am responsible for leading the organization that serves more than 5,000 first-generation and low-income students toreach their dreams of pursuing a college education. I lead a staff of over 50 full-time and 25 part-time staff members.I oversee the Chicago Scholars' organizational planning, program development, evaluation, and impact and stay abreast of the evolving landscape around educational equity in Chicago.Cultivate a professional environment that upholds equity, dignity, respect, and diversity, emphasizes shared leadership and decision-making, and embeds collaborative and inclusive practices across the organization.Serve the Board of Directors of Chicago Scholars to encourage and monitor the fulfillment of the Chicago Scholars’ mission and strategic goals.Report to the board matters of policy and performance, including producing materials and opportunities critical to furthering their learning and knowledge of the Chicago Scholar’s strategic planCould you collaborate with the board of Directors to identify, create, and implement strategic plans to actualize objectives?Identify, recruit, train, and develop a talented team of employees who can lead critical departments and manage the organization's strategic functions.Monitor operations and ensure employees and business practices comply with regulatory and legal requirements.Develop the organizational culture and promote transparency and collaboration throughout the organization.Develop partnerships with stakeholdersIdentify potential sources of investment and organize fundraising efforts.Represent the organization at social and corporate events in ways that strengthen the brand and communicate the company’s message.

Responsible for leading the strategic planning and execution for external partnerships, mentoring, and career and leadership development for Chicago Scholars. CS serves over 5000 students from low income families who are also first-generation college going from Chicago Public Schools. I lead a team of 6 direct reports and 10 contractors that assist students in skill development, career placement, leadership development and manage the partnership acquisition/management for Chicago Scholars. Developed the Emerge Summer Career and Leadership Development Internship Program Created data strategy for career and leadership development programming Wrote the researched-based the leadership philosophy for Chicago ScholarsDeveloped organization’s strategic partnership strategyLead corporate partner recruitment and relationship management for 150+ corporate partners (+35 in FY 2019, +37 FY 2020)Raised $240,000 for the Emerge Program in Year 2 exceeding the target $100,000Managed $600,000 budget for Career and Leadership Development work for the organizationResponsible for brand development of CS Initiatives to elevate Chicago Scholars brand across the countryResponsible for external partnership management and leading our mentor and volunteer team that recruits 250+ mentors and 1000+ volunteers annually

Successfully launch and oversee the implementation of Emerge Summer Career and Leadership ProgramOversee the selection of inaugural 20 Emerge Scholars in 2018Grew the program 4X to 80 Scholars and 54 Corporate Partners in 2019Manage the design and development of the Emerge curriculumDevelop relationships with corporate partners and leveraged existing resources for programManage marketing and branding for programManage program and ensured 100% retention and completion of the Institute in 2018Manage overall career and leadership program offerings and resources for all Scholars Work to Identify, build and manage a portfolio of career partners (Currently 160 Partners)Created targeted career exploration events and programs to expose Scholars to potential career optionsDetermine (using data) what resources and events will have the greatest impact on Scholar outcomesHire, train and oversee Career and Leadership Development staff to execute key program activities:Hired and trained new Director of Mentor and Volunteers and new Manager of Career and leadership development to grow the team from 2 to 6. Create a strategy for maximum alumni engagementManage staff to provide programming and resources to support the needs growing alumni networkOversee Alumni Leadership Council, including recruitment and bi-monthly meeting facilitation to grow and support the Chicago Scholars Alumni networkCreate a technology strategy that will allowed for scale and efficiency of our career and leadership development resources for ScholarsLaunched a platform to deliver critical career and leadership development information, resources and workshops virtually called "Lead The Way"I work closely with VP of Programs to ensure leadership development is embedded throughout college access and success activities and workshops.Created a Leadership Capstone Project for all 650 of our high school scholars that taught key leadership skills.

Awards RAY Foundation Man of the Year (2018)Chicago Made Man Award Winner (2017)Chicago Inno 50 on Fire Finalist (2016)Chicago Innovation Award Nominee (2014)WVON 40 Under 40 (2014) Board Membership Illinois Tech Advisory for the Dept. of Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Technology's (2017)Greater Bronzeville Neighborhood Network (2017 - Present) Board Member - Foundations College Prep (2015-Present) New Leaders Council (2016 Communications Co-Chair - 2017)King College Prep Local School Council Community Rep. (2014-2016)Ambassador - Chicago Community Trust (2015)Media Feature WVON Guest Cohost Matt McGill Morning Show (2016/2017)Fox News on GoodCity Chicago (2016)WGN TV Feature Social Justice (2016)WVON Urban Business Roundtable (2016)Chicago Defender Feature (2016)ABC Television Interview (2016)NPR Radio Interview (2015) Rolling Out Magazine Feature (2014)Featured Panelist Generations Panel at Twitter (18) TBT News Tech and Innovation Summit (2016)Medicad Plans of American Presenter (2015)Alpha Kappa Alpha Entrepreneurship Fair (2015)ImBlackInTech at Google Chicago (2015)Polished Pebbles Mentoring Academy (2015)Google Program on Urban Innovation (2014)Keynote Speaker Chi Tech High School Commencement (2018)I Am A Gentlemen Day Service Day (2018)Black Girls Code Keynote (2017)Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep Commencement (2017)Embark Scholars Program (2017)Foundation's College Prep Commencement (2016)Kennedy King College Business Commencement (2015)TrepStart Entrepreneurship Google Keynote (2015)Vanderpoel Elem. Commencement (2015)Wadsworth STEM Commencement (2014)Whistler Elementary Leadership Day (2014)Inspire Indiana (2013)Perspectives Charter School's Honor Program (2013)Guest Lecturer/HostDream Tour Chicago (2018)Gray Matter (2016) Kennedy King College Entrepreneurship (2016)GADC LISC Marketing (2012)Chicago Urban League (2009 - 2011)

Black Box Creative is the premier service provider in brand creation and management. At Black Box Creative, providing competitive business solutions custom-made for your business is our specialty. Social Media Marketing, Mobile Application Design and Web Development. I founded the company to improve technology learning opportunities for inner city youth and to improve the web presence of companies serving the underserved and unserved small business community in Chicago. Since 2009 I've had the pleasure to work with some amazing people on design projects and teach science, technology, engineering, and math to many all over the country.

As director I support and lead the development, execution, and management of a national integrated marketing communications plan aimed at helping the organization achieve its strategic goals of increased programmatic reach, financial sustainability, and brand visibility. I strategically drive NTC’s marketing content initiatives aimed at driving client engagement and attracting new prospects and customers across multiple channels and formats. • Lead multimedia creative production, Google Analytics, UX design, front-end development, technical documentation, and presentation.• Lead social media channel strategy and social policy execution for the organization.• Serve as HubSpot, Wordpress, and salesforce administrator and implementation architect.• Build strategy and execute the development of content marketing campaigns• Collaborate in the development of holistic, integrated and strategic marketing plans. • Develop campaigns that utilize target market segmentation and digital automation workflows• Execute innovative tactics that preserve, protect and enhance the brand, • Manage lead generation and develop collaborative partnerships to advance the work.• Member of the NTC 401K Leadership Committee • Member of the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force

My current position requires that I design and develop software system solutions for hospital systems and national laboratories. It requires me to conduct customized demonstrations of Atlas software products and modules and communicate value to clients while discussing the features of the software suite via in person and teleconference presentations. I work closely with the Atlas sales and account management teams to craft demonstrations based on client prerequisites. I also design and present workflow assessments, project scope documents, and complete solution proposals to the C-level and technical leadership of new prospects and existing customers.• Develop projects scope and charter documents that define the implementation of the Atlas software suite. • Trained 3 Sales managers and 6 sales reps on the Atlas software suite• On-site and off site consultant for Atlas customers• Work with HIT vendor partners (EMR, LIS, RAD, HIS, AP, Data Analytic and other solution providers) • Presenter/company representative at trade shows and meetings (Executive War College and Path Informatics)• Maintain demo virtual machines• Responsible for the creation and maintenance of product training videos and presentations

As a Regional Sales Manager my primary responsibility was to sale the Atlas Software suite to hospital and laboratory leadership in major healthcare systems throughout the Midwest. I also represented the company at professional conferences and fairs throughout the United States. After 6 months I was promoted to Systems Engineer.

Maintain and grow a $4.8MM book of business consisting of varied healthcare specialties. Subject matter expert for information technology (EHR, E-Prescribe and Lab Interface), diagnostic specialty testing, and medical practice efficiencies. Developed and facilitated product knowledge demonstrations on equipment, software, and tests.

Facilitated the implementation of diagnostic labs for hospitals, private clinics, and contracted laboratories. Identified sales leads and forecasted growth potential for green business. Developed two Key Account Managers and supervised their respective portfolios ($250K in volume for each)

Managed territory sales and marketing for specialty infertility pharmaceuticals. Sold directly to executive level decision makers for large volume hospitals, academic universities and infertility centers. Developed and facilitated training seminars and large in-services.

Sold pharmaceutical products to primary care and specialty medical doctors in the Chicagoland area. Team leader and diabetic expert to three sales Representatives. Developed and co-facilitated patient education initiatives with endocrinologists.

Assisted Diversity Director to design company-wide curriculum and strategy. Trained associates on diversity and EEO departments. • Completed Search Engine Optimization for International Corporate Diversity Website• Graphic/Web designer utilizing (HTML, ASP, Macromedia Flash, Dreamweaver and Adobe Photoshop)• Developed EEO complaint tracking strategy• Designed corporate staffing and retention website with online job profile access system