Education

Sept. 2015 – May 2017, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, MA
Program: Masters of Communication and Media
Area of study: Digital Media

Sept. 2011 – May 2014, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, BA
Area of study: Journalism and Media Studies; Digital Communication, Information, and Media

Aug.  2010 – Apr. 2011, Virginia State University
Area of Study: Mass Communication

Certifications

May 2022 – The New School Media Writing Essentials by Yellowbrick
May 2022 – Search Engine Optimization for Blog Writing by WordPress

Professional History

Feb. 2022–Present, Brooklyn, New York, NY
Associate Editor, HYCIDE Magazine

– Edit articles for submission into the final print issue.
– Assist with transcription needs of interviews conducted via video conferencing technology.
– Communicate important issue deadlines to contributing writers and photographers.
– Assist editor-in-chief with issue layout.
– Develop the issue’s social media marketing rollout.

Jan. 2018–Present, New Brunswick, NJ
Adjunct Professor at Rutgers University-School of Communication

Course Name: Strategic Presentation Methods in Digital Media
Academic Level: Undergraduate, 0300
Department: School of Communication and Information
Academic Program: Digital Communication, Information and Media minor

COURSE SUMMARY:
Examines theories and techniques for analyzing, producing, and disseminating messages. Students will learn how to use web-based and multimedia presentation tools to connect with a variety of audiences and convey the desired message. Each student will craft a message to support some social change by developing and shaping the message into compelling digital media presentations in a range of formats.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: Understand and approach audience needs from the standpoint of communication and media theory. Acquire a basic proficiency with a set of digital multimedia tools. Understand and design content for today’s digital media environment. Apply key video editing, animation, and web design principles to create engaging digital media content, using a variety of tools and methods to communicate effectively.

Apr. 2016–Present, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Editor-in-Chief, ENVERT

– Lead an editorial team of 4+ writers every quarter.
– Proofread and edit articles of both the internal editorial team as well as freelance writers.
– Review and filter incoming story pitches from public relations agencies and artist management companies.
– Update the editorial board with approved pitches along with any supporting content (press images, quotes, release dates, etc.).
– Form relationships with relevant public relations agencies, artist management companies, and independent record labels.
– Manage weekly column of new music release recommendations.
– Book, conduct, and transcribe artist interviews in an effort to promote their current & upcoming projects.
– Create weekly e-newsletters of editorial content.
– Monitor trendy topics across social media for relevant news stories.
– Oversee social media management for the site’s accounts.
– Design templates for social media.
– Responsible for SEO performance tracking and reporting.

Jan. 2016–Present, Remote
Freelance Multimedia Journalist, New Jersey Stage, The Gumbo, SportsAsToldByAGirl, Urban Girl Magazine, What’s The Movement

– Pitch, research, write and edit relevant news stories for various media outlets.
– Gather royalty-free images to accompany the commissioned articles.
– Assist media outlets with online marketing of commissioned stories once published.
– Appear on numerous podcasts to provide commentary on news stories.
– Moderate trendy news panels at various events and conferences.

Sep. 2013–Jan. 2014, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Guest Contributor, AlumKnights Newspaper

– Assisted editor with story layout.
– Captured and edited images for edition.
– Researched subjects and conducted interviews for edition.
– Wrote and edited stories for edition.

Sep. 2013–June 2014, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Social Media Manager, Black Voice Carta Latina Magazine

– Managed and develop editorial calendar for social media profiles.
– Pitched, wrote and edited op-ed, album reviews, and other stories for editions.
– Researched subjects and conducted interviews for edition.
– Attended editorial team meetings.

Jan. 2013–Aug. 2015, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
On-Air Broadcaster, WRSU-FM 88.7

– Managed programming board during each broadcast.
– Booked guests for on-air interviews and in-studio performances.
– Prepared short form as well as long-form scripts for outlined segments.
– Hosted weekly show on-air [two hours].
– Recorded shows for station archive.
– Gathered top news stories for the week.
– Curated weekly new music playlists.
– Managed phone lines during the broadcast.
– Read on-air commercials for the underwriting department.

Oct. 2011–Dec. 2012, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ
On-Air Broadcaster, 90.3 FM The Core

– Co-hosted weekly show on-air [one hour].
– Gathered top news stories for the week.
– Curated weekly new music playlists.

Oct. 2010–Jan. 2011, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA
Underwriting Assistant, 91.3 WVST-FM

– Created and managed weekly database of top student programming across campus to be read on-air for event slots.

May 2009–October 2009, Seton Hal University, South Orange, NJ
On-Air Broadcaster, 89.5 WSOU FM

– Hosted weekly show on-air [one hour].
– Gathered top news stories for the week.
– Prepared short-form as well as long-form scripts for outlined segments.
– Strategized with program director about potential new segment ideas.

Concert Photography

2022
Tank and the Bangas & Cory Henry, White Eagle Hall, Jersey City, NJ
Black Midi & NNAMDI, White Eagle Hall, Jersey City, NJ

2020
Your Smith, Rough Trade, Brooklyn, NY

2018
AMYRA (formerly Amy León), Joe’s Public – The Public Theater, New York City, NY
Oddisee, Le Poisson Rouge, New York City, NY

2017
Bas, Cozz & Omen, St. Ann’s Warehouse, Brooklyn, NY
Jasmine Mans, The Nuyorican Cafe, New York City, NY
LATASHÁ, Knitting Factory, Brooklyn, NY
Maurice Chestnut,  Apollo Theater, Harlem, NY
Noname, Le Poisson Rouge, New York City, NY

2016
Dianne Reeves, Newark Symphony Hall, Newark, NJ
Jon Bap, Friends & Lovers, Brooklyn, NY
Marcus D. Wiley, South Orange Performing Arts Center, South Orange, NJ
Natalie Grant &Danny Gokey, Newark Symphony Hall, Newark, NJ
Smokey Robinson, Newark Symphony Hall, Newark, NJ
Tasha Cobbs, Newark Symphony Hall, Newark, NJ

2015
Dottie Peoples, Newark Symphony Hall, Newark, NJ
Ntozake Shange, Newark Symphony Hall, Newark, NJ
Rhoda Scott, Newark Symphony Hall, Newark, NJ

Event Production

6th Annual When Praises Go Up Gospel Showcase, Newark Symphony Hall (Terrace Ballroom); Executive Producer, 2016
Some Odd World EP Release Concert, Newark Symphony Hall (Newark Stage); Executive Producer, 2016
5th Annual When Praises Go Up Gospel Showcase, Newark Symphony Hall (Sarah Vaughan Concert Hall); Co-Producer, 2015
Gospel at the Roots Concert with Dottie Peoples, Newark Symphony Hall (Sarah Vaughan Concert Hall); Production Assistant, 2015
4th Annual When Praises Go Up Gospel Showcase, Newark Symphony Hall (Sarah Vaughan Concert Hall); Production Assistant, 2014
Gospel at the Roots Concert with Richard Smallwood, Newark Symphony Hall (Sarah Vaughan Concert Hall); Production Assistant, 2014
3rd Annual When Praises Go Up Gospel Showcase, Newark Symphony Hall (Sarah Vaughan Concert Hall); Production Assistant, 2013
My Brother Marvin, Newark Symphony Hall (Sarah Vaughan Concert Hall); Production Assistant, 2013

Event Marketing

2016
Kings of Christian Comedy with Marcus D. Wiley, social media campaign
Tasha Cobbs, social media campaign and national radio ad
You’re My Lady: The Play, social media campaign

2015
Gospel at the Roots Concert with Dottie Peoples, national radio ad, local radio ad, national television ad, and local television ad
Future Live at Newark Symphony Hall, social media campaign

2014
Gospel at the Roots Concert with Richard Smallwood, national radio ad, local radio ad, national television ad, and local television ad
Katt Williams’ Growth Spurt Tour, social media campaign
Tamar Braxton’s Love and War Tour, social media campaign

Research Experience

Social Media’s Affect on Digital Album Sales & Streams [2017]
Mass Incarceration and Hip-Hop Culture [current]
Financial Freedom Outside of the Big Three (Record Labels) [current]

Additional Teaching Experience

Social Media 101 for Small Businesses, Dec. 2019
Linden Public Library, Linden, New Jersey; Non-Accredited

Social Media 101 for Small Businesses, Oct. 2019
Clark Public Library, Hillside, New Jersey; Non-Accredited

Social Media 101 for Small Businesses, Oct. 2019
Hillside Public Library, Hillside, New Jersey; Non-Accredited

Introduction to Social Media, Oct. 2019
Clark Public Library, Clark, New Jersey; Non-Accredited

Social Media for Small Businesses, Oct. 2019
Union Public Library, Vauxhall, New Jersey; Non-Accredited

Social Media for Small Businesses, Sep. 2019
Cranford Public Library, Cranford, New Jersey; Non-Accredited

Introduction to Social Media, May 2019
Hillside Public Library, Hillside, New Jersey; Non-Accredited

Introduction to Social Media, Jan. – Feb. 2018
Hillside Public Library, Hillside, New Jersey; Non-Accredited

Introduction to Social Media, Jan. – Feb. 2018
Hillside Family Success Center, Hillside, New Jersey; Non-Accredited

Public Speaking

3rd Annual Girl Talk Meetup: Women’s Wellness Conference, November 2020
Topic: Marketing During A Pandemic

Newark Happening presents Social Media 101, November 2018
Topic: Tapping into Tourism Boom

2nd Annual Curate Your Life Summit, March 2018
Topic: Leveraging Social Media as a Career Tool

3rd Annual Inspired Artist Movement Conference, October 2017
Topic: Taking Ownership of Content as a Creativepreneur

Hip-Hop Retreat Week, August 2017
Topic: Preparing for Live Performances as an Independent Artist

The Starter Kit Series, July 2017
Topic: Art and Healing

2nd Annual Inspired Artist Movement Conference, October 2017
Topic: Making Your Financial Impact as an Artist

Straight Face, No Profile; October 2016
Topic: The Relationship between Mass Incarceration and Hip-Hop

Membership

National Association of Black Journalists
Newark Arts Education Roundtable
Jersey Arts