Portfolio
Portfolio
Portfolio
Portfolio
My strengths can be broken down into four connected areas: marketing, communications, development, and special events.
Marketing
Marketing
North Beach Jazz Festival
“It is one of the largest jazz festivals in the country.”
Laurie Armstrong, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
Shot from the first day of the 2-day ‘Jazz in the Park’ series of events during the 9-day North Beach Jazz Festival in 1999.
A conversation between two friends led to the creation of the North Beach Jazz Festival. We wanted to create a jazz renaissance in San Francisco and bring jazz to a new generation of listeners by creating a festival that was accessible to all and (mostly) free to attend. As the director of development, marketing, and communications, I was responsible for overall fund development and audience development strategies. I also was in charge of brand building and design as well as retail operations and employee/volunteer development.
The North Beach Jazz Festival was primarily a stage for local musicians throughout the Bay Area, but as our profile grew and the budget increased we were able to bring in national acts as well which helped bring more exposure to the festival and to our local musicians. Although it’s impossible to recreate the energy, experience, and magic of the jazz festival in pictures from its 14-year run, here are a few shots from the earlier years to help provide a peek featuring festival artists like Pharoah Sanders, Bobby Hutcherson, Poncho Sanchez, Ledisi, Carlos Santana, Roy Ayers, ruth weiss, Zigaboo Modeliste, and many more.
Below is a handful of broadcast mentions from press received during the 6th annual event in 2000 to provide another dynamic and peek into the festivities.
Communications
Communications
sf|noir
“I have personally been involved with this organization for many years and continue to be excited as sf|noir continues to emerge as a force in San Francisco arts and culture.”
Vice President Kamala Harris
Vice President Kamala Harris, Michael Deflorimonte, sf|noir Co-founder Brian Gadsden, and me welcoming the audience to an sf|noir event at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.
In 2001, I founded sf|noir out of a desire to create a multidisciplinary arts organization to celebrate the richness of Black arts and culture. This was also a direct response to the diminishing Black presence in San Francisco to ensure the positive and dynamic representation of the culture in the face of a continued exodus of creative and intellectual Black capital from the city. While I led our strategic efforts in marketing, communications, and development, I also spearheaded and developed sf|noir’s arts programming since its founding.
I’m proud of the community sf|noir has cultivated over the years, remaining on the cutting-edge of arts programming and producing innovative shows that spoke to all audiences. An 85th Anniversary Celebration of Ella Fitzgerald featured Grammy award-winning singer Ledisi, backed by the 15-piece Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra. Hip Hop: A World View included partnerships with Alliance Francaise, Istituto Italiano di Cultura, and Goethe-Institut to present sold-out symposia on global hip-hop culture. The organization has premiered dozens of Black filmmakers and presented readings and works by authors and spoken word artists. sf|noir’s events have honored the literary legacy of June Jordan, explored the connections between Marvin Gaye and contemporary dance, highlighted the contributions of Black visual artists, explored the vast landscape of Black culinary artists and winemakers, and provided San Francisco students with museum tours, educational workshops, film screenings and much more.
Ella Fitzgerald Tribute at sfnoir featuring Ledisi with the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra performing at the Palace of Fine Arts, hosted by Kamala Harris and Michael Deflorimonte.
Senator Barbara Boxer welcomes everyone at the 5th Annual San Francisco Black History Month Celebration at the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD).
Development
Development
Professional Experience, Honors, and Awards
I have been fortunate and honored to create experiences that have helped to build community and create deep and rich cultural offerings in the vibrant landscape of San Francisco and the Bay Area. I have been equally honored to provide my skills and experience to innovative non profits in the arts and social justice spaces as well as educational institutions in helping to tell their stories, implement strategies, and support initiatives. Further details about these roles can be seen on my LinkedIn profile.
Brand management and collateral design
One of the strengths that I offer in my roles in an organization is bringing collateral and publication design in-house. Budgets can vary and capacities of teams as well and the capability to execute on strategy that calls for the production of collateral, from a simple postcard design to the creation of a 76-page magazine, can be integral to a small development or communications team. I have been in organizations that have provided budgets to hire outside design teams with whom I’ve been fortunate to work, and I have also been in organizations that have had less resources or time (based on a project) to bring in outside help. Below are some samples of my design work managing the brands of my employers as well as my own projects.
Hot 20 for 2012
Aug 2012, 7x7 Magazine
Nominated for 7x7 Magazine's Hot 20 for 2012 Movers and Shakers in San Francisco.
San Francisco Board of Supervisors Commendation
Feb 2010, David Chiu, President, San Francisco Board of Supervisors
Honored for "creating an organization to promote African American art and culture, for highlighting the contributions and excellence of African Americans and the African Diaspora, and for focusing on leadership development for organizations serving underserved communities of color, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors extends its highest commendation and appreciation."
San Francisco Board of Supervisors Commendation
Jul 2000, Alicia Becerril, Member, San Francisco Board of Supervisors
Received San Francisco Board of Supervisors' highest award for excellence achieved in arts and culture.
Official Proclamation of City and County of San Francisco
Jul 1999, Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr.
Official San Francisco Proclamation presented in recognition of the creation of the North Beach Jazz Festival and its economic impact to the local San Francisco economy.
San Francisco Board of Supervisors Commendation
May 1998, Tom Ammiano, President, San Francisco Board of Supervisors
Received San Francisco Board of Supervisors' highest award for excellence in arts and culture.
Official Proclamation of City and County of San Francisco
Apr 1998, Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr.
Proclamation presented for creation of the San Francisco Spring Break, a multi-year urban spring break adventure which provided an alternative spring break experience for students from across the country facilitating access to a network of activities, shops, restaurants, hotels, nightlife and other services that provided discounts for local and visiting students.
'Who's Who' of American Colleges and Universities
Jan 1990, Ramapo College
Nominated for the creation of Campus Video, a national college video store franchise which I founded on the campus of my college, Ramapo College. It was the first business created under the umbrella organization of Entrepreneurs Inc., which I founded to incubate entrepreneurial activities of student-led, campus-based businesses.
Experiend
Throughout my career, I have mainly remained in the arts, education, youth development, and social justice sectors—where I’m most passionate.
Experiend
Throughout my career, I have mainly remained in the arts, education, youth development, and social justice sectors—where I’m most passionate.