projects

photography by damon king

FEATURED: Production support for Capital Pride activation
with Installation Artist, Robin bell

Rwanda, 2016
community assessment, process improvement

In 2016 I worked on a team of 5 to conduct Community Assessment surveys in Rwanda. Our objective was to survey a community that had been impacted by a decade long technology initiative. An initiative that sought to bridge the international digital divide by bringing internet enable computer devices and solar panels into rural communities in Kigali.

Over the course of 3 weeks, using a systems approach to interviewing, we actively opened lines of communication. We coordinated meetings with local leadership and orchestrated forums where the community had a platform to have their voices heard. We organized, synthesized and re-presented our findings. Our systematic, human-centric process facilitated substantive, first-person insights. ultimately informing our recommendations. 

3 months of studying the nation's history and it's relationship with technology, to working directly with village leaders ultimately culminated into a week-long, multilingual, collaborative training program. We promoted alignment between available sociopolitical infrastructures and the tech initiative ensuring ongoing sustainability.

aCreativeDC, 2016-18
engagement strategy, creative production

I joined A Creative DC (a digital platform that aims to democratize visibility in DC's creative space) after working in Kigali. I have always been passionate about human-centered projects, but in reflecting on my global development experiences in Rwanda (and Nicaragua in 2015), I decided I wanted to filter my passions through a creative, digital lens.

During my two-years with A Creative DC:

• I supported our Director on our partnership with DC Public Library Foundation. Our mission was to align available public resources with the local creative community. While my personal drive was to translate our inclusive digital platform into equally inclusive lived experiences. With donated space from DC Public Library and food contributions from local businesses, we curated day-only-retreats for fine artists, photographers, designers, DJs and the like to commune.

• I developed and produced ANTHOLOGY (a photo project that has highlighted and shared the perspectives of over 100 DC locals)

• I represented the brand for DC-based engagements, generating digital content to share on our social channels

Diversity and inclusion initiatives, 2015-17
leadership, facilitation

During my time with A Creative DC, I was completing a degree in Operations Management and Business Analytics at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, College Park.

As Vice President of the Black Business Association, I planned and facilitated an interactive panel discussion featuring professionals from Ernst Young, KPMG, Northrop Grumman, and the CIA. 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.

Notable leadership positions:

Smith's Diversity Empowerment Council: President
Black Business Association: Vice President
Mosaic Diversity and Leadership Retreat: Planner/facilitator (2 years)
Maryland Leadership Conference: Facilitator (2 years)
Kelley School of Business NDCC Diversity Case Competition: Finalist
Leadershape at the Smith School of Business: Vice President
Office of International Affairs Advisory Board: Student at Large
McGraw Hill Student Ambassador

CAPP, 2016-17
curation, market research

The Contemporary Art Purchasing Program was my first take at participating in a long-term project from concept to execution.

Over an entire year, a committee of 5 students and I, through extensive academic and gallery/studio research, developed a curatorial vision that considered not only contemporary art, but also what art meant to and for our immediate local and campus communities. My contributions to the committee included:

• Managing our $50K budget

• Owning relationships with fine arts galleries - from initial correspondence expressing interest to negotiating pricing for purchase, framing and delivery

• Developing a series of 3 pitches for artwork selection, as approved by esteemed board, including Director of The Phillip's Collection

• Conducting extensive art market research, by taking gallery and studio visits in NYC, Baltimore and Washington DC (and participating in a 400-level "Advanced Special Topics in Art - Markets and Collecting")

• Supporting oversight and execution of $8K commissioned artwork over a 4-month timeline

the LINE Hotel, 2016-18
branding, event + photo production
social media/pr, hospitality operations

I began working with the LINE Hotel in October 2016, as a stylist (with content features in GQ and ELLE). Before graduating college, I became the project's youngest, contracted employee.

Following graduation, I supported on the development and execution of the hotel's opening brand strategy. From big picture ideas to small operational tasks, my role was diverse and constantly evolving in a fast-paced, deliverable-focused environment. I supported on executing projects that ultimately culminated in the successful launch of the multi-million dollar LINE Hotel DC that has since been lauded by the New York Times, Forbes and USA Today.

Highlights of my experience as a Creative/Culture, Brand Coordinator include:

• Lending operational support to the uniform and lobby-art program

• Sourcing and styling the LINE DC VIP Amenity Program

• Support coordinating the successful launch of the brand's social media presence

• Support executing 9 public facing events including the hotel's ribbon cutting

• Production support on 4+ photo shoots (from fashion/plant styling to model selection/management)

I had the pleasure of working with the Creative/Culture teams at all 3 brand locations in LA, Austin and Washington DC.

PricewaterhouseCoopers (current)
experience x human-centered design, facilitation, business advisory consulting

Starting August 6, 2018 I joined PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) experience & digital consultancy,  The Experience Center, focused on business innovation, strategy and execution. Within the Experience Center, I’ve joined a group of expert practitioners that design programs of work and immersive experiences that help organizations solve their most complex problems. The practice enables clients to do months of work in only a matter of days, aligning diverse groups of business leaders to co-create, inspiring fresh insights that inform better business outcomes.

As a SCRUM certified Senior Human-centered, Collaboration Design Consultant, I have had the pleasure of designing experiences for a roster of Fortune 500 C-suite leaders across health, energy and consumer market industries. Additionally, I’ve worked internally with some of our firm’s most senior executives within the 55K person corporation to drive internal transformation. I have designed programs of work with USAA providing 1:1 leadership coaching to people leaders. I have created and facilitated experiences enabling our firm to develop and align on various Diversity, Equity & Inclusion strategies and initiatives, both within the Experience Center and nationally, at scale. I have worked with international stakeholders to deliver virtual experiences upskilling staff in Shanghai, Mumbai and Bangalore to embrace innovative and differentiated approaches to teaming and work.

Most recently, amidst the 2020 publically recognized insurgence of police brutality & outcry on racial injustice, I drafted a letter to the CEO of PwC detailing the Black experience in America and demanded our firm demonstrate we are not complicit in systemic racism directly or in passivity. This led to a 1:1 dialogue with my firms CEO where I personally consulted our leader, challenging him to push his (not yet released) plans to the brink, and inspired what would become our firm’s 6-prong approach to combating systemic racism. I have since hosted several conversations consulting our CEO, members of the US leadership team, as well as the organization’s Chief Purpose & Diversity Officer.