INNOVATION

AT THE CENTER OF:

CREATIVE STRATEGY,

DESIGN THINKING

+ HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN

FEATURED PROJECT: 6-month community assessment consultation project for technology implementation improvement in Kigali, Rwanda

applying post-modern critical theory to business strategies - considering: what we do, the communities we impact, and how we might best align available resources to fulfill consumer-defined needs... but most importantly, where we, ourselves, fit into the equation

ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY

On the heels of working in Rwanda, I realized working in International Development was not my life's path. I decided that for me, enacting positive social change meant embedding myself into the communities I wanted to serve -

Soon after, I began working with A Creative DC: a social media phenomenon that seeks to democratize visibility in the DC creative community. Over my 2 years with the organization I:

Functioned as partnership liaison to the DC Public Library Foundation, coordinating co-working/networking events uniting public, available resources with local creatives, opening beautiful private spaces for artists, small business owners, photographers and DJs to commune, connect and collaborate
Promoted online foot-traffic to our web-based platform through producing ANTHOLOGY: a project that has highlighted and shared the stories and perspectives of over 100 locals who help promote Creative Economy in the DC metropolitan area.

DIVERSITY + INCLUSION

At the same time, I was completing a degree in Operations Management and Business Analytics at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, College Park.

In my campus community I was confronted with the structural issues that prevented other minority students from gaining access to opportunities, networks and resources:

As the Vice President of the Black Business Association, I planned and facilitated an interactive panel discussion featuring professionals from Ernst Young, KPMG, Northrop Grumman, CIA, etc. The event entitled, “Being Black in Corporate America” garnered participation from a diverse array of students and faculty and was named “Club Event of the Year,” winning me the nomination of Smith’s “Outstanding Junior of the Year” award.

That same year I flew to

a creative producer + strategist native to the DC Metropolitan area. With deep-seated passion for cultivating creative community, King helms The Collective project, acts as lead of community engagement strategy via A Creative DC, and is the Operations Manager for Nomad Yard Collectiv out of Union Market, DC.

Beyond focusing on developing a business acumen as an Operations Management and Business Analytics senior at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, King’s primary focus at University has been cultivating + empowering an inclusive + diverse community environment. He is the lead of the Diversity Empowerment Council which works in tandem with Smith’s greater Diversity board, Chief Diversity Officer + Undergraduate Dean.

As the Vice President of the Black Business Association, King planned and facilitated an interactive panel discussion featuring professionals from Ernst Young, KPMG, Northrop Grumman, CIA, etc. The event entitled, “Being Black in Corporate America” garnered participation from a diverse array of students and faculty and was named “Club Event of the Year,” winning King the nomination of Smith’s “Outstanding Junior of the Year”.

King’s passion for event planning began 2 years ago when he planned + curated a multi-modal art installation, pop-up boutique, networking event—which also doubled as The Collective DC’s premier event, “The Show”. The event welcomed over 120 DC locals + generated over $800 in revenue. “The Show” highlighted talent from artists + creatives from Columbia University to as far as Sydney, Australia.

King exercises his passion for community engagement through international programs where he has completed digital consulting for Nicaraguan entrepreneurs; + has also spearhead community assessment efforts + risk assessment analysis in Rwanda for a technology implementation initiative.

As aCreativeDC’s Community Engagement Strategist he is responsible for leading projects + initiatives (such as ANTHOLOGY ) that boost DC’s creative economy, specifically through partnerships with organizations like DC Public Library Foundation + Made In DC (via Think Local First).

As a chief board member of the Contemporary Art Purchasing Program, King plans to continue his passion for utilizing creative works spatially to facilitate conversations on the complexities of identity + collectivity.