As Principal at WarrConsulting, I assist non-profits in more effectively implementing their missions, organizational goals, and services. I provide organizations with strategic planning, leadership transition, re-envisioning, cultural competency, program development, coaching, and retreat planning and facilitation. NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT CONSULTING: Select clients include the Public Library Association, SF Urban Film Festival, Bayview Hunters Point Community Advocates, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Kenneth Rainin Foundation, San Francisco Arts Commission, Group i, San Francisco Urban Film Fest, San Francisco Civic Music Association, Tenderloin Equitable Development Project, San Francisco Civic Music Association, GLIDE Memorial Church, Bayview Opera House, Museum of the African Diaspora, AfroSolo, California Film Institute, Bayview YMCA, Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra, African American Historical & Cultural Society, Cave Canem Foundation, City of Asylum Pittsburgh (PA), The Wallace Foundation, BRAVA Theater Center, Bowery Arts and Science, the City of Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development, the Gavin Library at ITT and others.EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TRANSITION: Select clients include the San Francisco Pride, Bowery Arts + Science, Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center, GroundSpark, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Marin Continuum of Housing and Services, Framelines, Ella Hill Hutch Community Center, Asian American Journalists Association, and others.

As Editor of the anthology “Of Poetry & Protest: From Emmett Till to Trayvon Martin,” I recruited and managed contributing writers, literary agents, photographers, and videographers. I organized the nationwide photoshoots of the poets, selected poems, edited all copy, and wrote for the anthology Introduction and Acknowledgments. I marketed and promoted the book, which sold out the first printing in two years and was reprinted in 2019. "Of Poetry & Protest -- From Emmett Till to Trayvon Martin." includes 43 African American wordsmiths, including Pulitzer Prize-winning poets Rita Dove, Natasha Tretheway, Yusef Komunyakaa, and Tracy K. Smith, as well as the work of other luminaries such as Elizabeth Alexander, Ishmael Reed, and Sonia Sanchez. Included are poems such as "No Wound of Exit" by Patricia Smith, "We Are Not Responsible" by Harryette Mullen, and “Poem for My Father” by Quincy Troupe. Each poem is accompanied by the poet's photographic portrait, taken by photographer Victoria Smith, a first-person biographical statement, as well as archival images and commissioned art. Visit: https://www.facebook.com/OfPoetryandProtest/

Duties as Deputy Director at the Museum of the African Diaspora included:Managing Marketing, Exhibitions, Public Programming, Education, and Facilities (including the Museum Store) departments. Grant writing. Annual Gala Planning. Donor, board, and corporate membership cultivation. Community engagement: City Government, Community Agencies, Development Projects.Planning, facilitating, coordinating staff and board retreats, as well as weekly staff meetings, and VIP Tours, in coordination with the Executive Director.From MoAD Executive Director Linda Harrison: “We’re fortunate and really excited to have a talent like Michael join the MoAD leadership team. Michael’s in-depth knowledge and experience in strategic planning, arts and the humanities allows him to flow seamlessly between the non-profit, foundation and corporate worlds. These skills are imperative as MoAD continues its transformation into a fine arts museum with a national presence.”

Worked directly with the executive leadership, staff, board of directors, and the stakeholders of nonprofits. My responsibilities included consulting in Executive Transition Management -- including assessing and stabilizing the organization as needed, creating a leadership profile, planning and conducting the executive search, facilitating the recruitment of the new Executive Director, launching the new leadership, and providing post-hire support.

Mobilized diverse communities across Chicago and suburbs for a week-long dance festival celebrating the African Diaspora at the Chicago Theatre. Coordinated five days of schools attending dance/lecture demonstrations by international dance troupes leading up to a weekend of public performances. Established and maintained relationships with leaders, teachers, Principals, and community-based organizations. Managed 15-member team focused on marketing, audience development, ticket sales, programming, production, curriculum development, and community outreach.

During tenure as founding Executive Director organization evolved into Chicago’s “premiere Literary Arts Center” in the words of the Illinois Arts Council. Developed a national reputation for cutting-edge, award-winning, cross-cultural literary programs, youth programming and books. Established organization’s international reputation for cultural diversity and collaborations with organizations ranging from the Chicago Homeless Coalition and the Field Museum to Germany’s Goethe Institute. Served on the Editorial board of Tia Chucha Press, which at the time was the publishing wing of the Guild Complex.