As the first alum of the REAP Academy to take the helm as Executive Director of Project REAP, I am honored to lead the premier initiative dedicated to increasing diversity in commercial real estate by empowering leaders of color. I am focused on advancing our mission to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity by equipping professionals of color with the training, mentorship, and networks they need to succeed in real estate careers, ensuring that Project REAP remains at the forefront of building a more inclusive industry.

Associate Professor in Africana Studies department.

Core Focus: Launched the vision and groundwork for New England's pioneering Black-founded and Black-led visual and performing arts center, targeting a $50 million establishment fund. Anchored the organization's ethos on celebrating the African diaspora, championing social justice, and stimulating the economic vibrancy of the Nubian Square neighborhood in Boston.• Formulated the mission, vision, and values that emphasize the celebration of the African diaspora, the promotion of social justice, and the economic revitalization of the Nubian Square neighborhood in Boston.• Established and recruited members for a Scholarly Advisory Committee, Artistic Advisory Committee, and a fundraising-focused Advisory Council, playing an instrumental role in guiding the organization's strategic and artistic direction.• Designed a dynamic programming framework comprising resident companies, annual companies, and visiting companies, and successfully recruited resident arts organizations to align with the center's mission.• Managed and guided the venue's schematic design process, laying the groundwork for future architectural and construction phases upon securing capital project funds.• Steward a foundational $1 million donor, initiated a comprehensive fundraising plan, and actively cultivated relationships with prospective major gift donors and foundations to drive the capital campaign.• Effectively lead and manage an ensemble of 10 volunteers across various committees, secured valuable pro bono support, and provided strategic direction to a four-person board of directors.

Empowered Arts: Executive Leadership Coaching is a transformative and personalized coaching, training and advisory program designed to bolster the success of arts organizations by nurturing the growth and development of their executive directors, with a special focus on individuals from underrepresented backgrounds.Crescendo Coaching: Amplifying Your Vision is a specialized consulting service for recording artists ready to explore their entrepreneurial spirit. Crescendo Coaching provides personalized guidance to transform artistic visions into impactful business or nonprofit ventures.

Core Focus: Provided consulting for social and cultural entrepreneurs on entrepreneurship challenges, funding, governance, business development, and government navigation.Key Contributions: • Designed a coaching program for underrepresented nonprofit arts executive directors, offering tailored sessions, fundraising strategy enhancements, and outcome evaluations.• Chosen as a grant review panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts during President Obama’s administration.• Represented as the Regional Director for the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce, advocating for women’s economic empowerment; attended pivotal White House briefings.• Successfully obtained municipal council approval to redevelop city-owned land in Newark, NJ, boosting the profile of a minority, woman-owned entity.

Core Focus: Spearheaded the transformation of a historic 96-year-old music center facing operational challenges, introducing a mission-centric revenue model, new partners, and TV/Film avenues. Orchestrated a strategic shift culminating in a $50 million renovation plan.Key Contributions: • Collaborated with the board on strategic planning and board member recruitment, reinforcing organizational capacity.• Settled creditor lawsuits, paid off accumulated debt of $500,000, and eliminated $250,000 in annual operating deficits through strategic operations and led a 2020 capital campaign that raised more than $15 million.• Secured critical funding from state budget, marking a budgetary inclusion after a 20-year gap.• Doubled earned revenue primarily through nationally broadcast TV production rentals.• Launched a production assistant training program and partnered with IATSE union to provide economic opportunities for local residents in the predominantly Black and Hispanic city.• Acquired adjacent properties for expansion, assembling an expert team for project redevelopment.

Core Focus: Appointed as the nonprofit's third executive and its first executive of color. Collaborated with the board to drive strategic initiatives, enhance programs, and foster community engagement, establishing pivotal partnerships for organizational growth.Key Contributions: • Implemented financial strategies including fund development, partnership development, grant writing, and budget management.• Led a team of 12 staff and ultimate oversight of 80+ freelance arts educators, promoting a collaborative and performance-driven culture.• Doubled the prior year's fundraising targets through new partnerships with family foundations.• Launched a family foundation-backed program to diversify teaching staff.• Piloted new inclusive public arts offerings, broadening accessibility for varied age groups, cultures, and including specialized programs for adults with disabilities.

Core Focus: Spearheading marketing and promotional strategies for a multimillion-dollar cultural and entertainment center celebrating the African and Latino diaspora.Key Contributions: • Successfully secured support from state and local public officials, resulting in public-private financing and a $21 million allocation of New Markets Tax Credits for the project.• Garnered significant pre-opening media coverage in prominent outlets including the New York Times (Arts section cover), Wall Street Journal, and New York Magazine.• Oversaw the creation and implementation of comprehensive promotional strategies, encompassing website design, email marketing, social media campaigns, ticketing systems, and strategic marketing partnerships.• Curated a series of revenue-generating events during the venue's soft-opening phase, including: ‣A Def Poetry Jam Reunion event. ‣Collaborative screening of the "Sweet Dreams" documentary with key partners including the Rwandan Ambassador to the United Nations and entrepreneur Grace Hightower De Niro, aligned with her Coffee of Grace brand. ‣A sold-out book signing event featuring NBA star Dwyane Wade for the launch of his memoir, "A Father First".

Core Focus: Oversaw the comprehensive operations of a downtown revitalization-focused nonprofit with a $1 million budget and a 12-member team. Positioned the association for sustained growth by realigning operations around strategic areas.Key Contributions: • Streamlined activities, centering them around three strategic pillars: business development, public space initiatives, and the nexus of art, culture, and tourism.• Launched "Destination Trenton" in 2008, a robust tourism and media attraction initiative. This comprehensive marketing strategy encompassed visitor center operations, digital outreach, PR campaigns, special events, and collaboration with business entities.• Enhanced the arts and tourism sector through key projects: ‣Operations of Gallery 125, at 125 South Warren Street, ‣Development of Gallery 219, at 219 East Hanover Street, ‣The inauguration of the Visitors Center at the Old Masonic Temple, and ‣The Launch of Trenton Transit Center visitor kiosk.• Successfully procured nearly $500,000 in funding from both governmental sources and foundations for Destination Trenton.• Attained notable recognitions for the organization, including the New Jersey Historical Commission Award of Recognition for Patriots’ Week (2007) and the New Jersey Travel Industry Association/New Jersey Restaurant Association Diamond Award for Destination Trenton (2011).

Core Focus: Spearheaded urban rejuvenation strategies by fostering business growth and cultural undertakings. Managed multifaceted financial portfolios and ensured the seamless functioning of both the economic development and housing production divisions. Recruited to the role by Douglas H. Palmer after writing a critical, yet hopeful, op-ed about Trenton.Key Contributions: • Championed urban regeneration by driving initiatives for business attraction, retention, expansion, and job creation. Further augmented the city's allure through the support of arts and culture.• Directed a team of 12 full-time professionals.• Administered an intricate budget, pooling tens of millions in grants and revolving loan funds from notable entities such as the U.S. Economic Development Authority, and NJ Urban Enterprise Zone funds for economic development.• Additionally managed resources from U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development and Regional Contribution Agreements aimed at affordable housing.• Served as executive director of Trenton City Home, the 501c3 nonprofit founded by the city for affordable housing.• Acted as the representative for both divisions during City Council and other public meetings.• Served as the mayor’s designee to serve on nonprofit boards like the Mill Hill Performing Arts Trust and the Trenton Downtown Association.

Core Focus: Pioneered a consultancy focused on crafting marketing communication solutions tailored for sectors spanning real estate development to sports and entertainment. Delivered a spectrum of services, including publicity, event management, market research, and creation of marketing collateral.• Devised strategic marketing communication campaigns for high-profile clients and groundbreaking projects. Notable ventures included: ‣1400 Fifth Avenue, Harlem: A pioneering $45 million green, mixed-income condo complex with 129 units. ‣The Hamilton, Harlem: A $25 million venture offering affordable cooperative apartments. ‣Bedford Village Townhomes, Brooklyn: Middle-income multi-family residences. ‣Classic Condominiums, Harlem: Affordable residences backed by the collaborative efforts of the Fannie Mae Foundation and NBA’s New York Knicks via a project called “NBA’s Home Team” ‣The Amanda luxury condos in Harlem. ‣Partnership with NBA’s Kenny Thomas from the Philadelphia 76ers. ‣Production support for short films "Gully" and “The Date” (starring Wendell Pierce) on behalf of Clarendon Entertainment.• As a testament to the firm's excellence and innovative approach, the two-person enterprise garnered media attention and was featured in platforms like WorkingWoman.com and Black Enterprise magazine.

Core Focus: Pioneered as one of the initial independent African American-owned comic book publishers and strip distributors in the US, with notable works including the “MC Squared” series and "The Griots" strip. Additionally, undertook innovative projects spanning the realms of books and film while nurturing budding talent and garnering media attention for this part-time venture.Key Contributions: • Assembled and mentored a dedicated team of four artists from urban areas in New Jersey and New York, all of whom later flourished in the commercial art landscape.• Artistic direction and co-authorship for “Still I Rise: A Cartoon History of African Americans”, a 204-page illustrated book. It secured a $170,000 advance in a book proposal sale to W.W. Norton after a seven-publisher auction and was heralded as one of the top books in print in 1998.• Co-produced “Battle Sounds: A Hip Hop DJ Documentary”, helmed by John Carluccio, who earned recognition as one of the “next 100 innovators” by Time Magazine.• Elevated the company’s profile with features in publications such as The Source magazine, The New York Times, Washington Post, and the Philadelphia Inquirer, as well as appearances on platforms like MTV’s “Yo! MTV Raps” and NBC's Sunday Today Show.

Core Focus: Oversaw comprehensive product placement campaigns for the apparel company, leveraging its association with co-founder and famed rapper Chuck D of Public Enemy.Key Contributions: • Directed the creation and distribution of marketing collateral, ensuring brand consistency and reach.• Art-directed advertising campaigns that elevated the brand's visibility and appeal.• Successfully secured product placements on notable television shows such as “Martin” (Fox), “New York Undercover” (Fox), and “Steve Harvey Show” (WB), as well as in a plethora of music videos, boosting brand recognition.

Core Focus: Part-time evening employee who conducted in-depth research and analysis to generate business summary reports, aiding in identifying potential merger and acquisition prospects within the entertainment/media industry.Key Contributions:• Produced comprehensive business summary reports that were instrumental in guiding merger and acquisition decisions in the entertainment and media domain.• Stood out as the only research specialist without an MBA or in pursuit of one, underscoring competency and expertise in the field.

Core Focus: Led media relations initiatives for an independent record label owned by rap pioneer Afrika Bambaataa, focusing on enhancing the brand's visibility and artist promotion.• Oversaw all media relations tasks, ensuring consistent and positive brand messaging.• Crafted comprehensive press kits that spotlighted the label's artists and offerings.• Successfully coordinated interviews with label artists, fostering relationships with both US and international media outlets.