Resume

SUMMARY: Accomplished union government relations and DEI executive with a successful track record of results in governance, government relations, diversity, equity and inclusion, education, organizing, research, unionism, government, and urban affairs on the local, state, and federal levels.  Experienced board of director member.  

Developed an advanced understanding of the following areas:

∙ Urban Policy ∙ Human and Civil Rights ∙ Equity ∙ Government Relations ∙ Leadership ∙ Organizational Development

EDUCATION

RUTGERS-THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY ∙ New Brunswick, NJ ∙ Completed May 2014

Awarded the Master of Education degree in the Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education 

– Recipient of 2013 Harold Martin-Eagleton Graduate Fellowship of Politics and Government

HOWARD UNIVERSITY ∙ Washington, DC ∙ Completed May 2010

Awarded the Bachelor of Arts degree in History with a minor in Political Science

RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE

INDIANA STATE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION∙ Indianapolis, IN February 2022-Present

Director of Government, Community, Racial and Social Justice: As the inaugural director of Government, Community, and Racial and Social Justice for the Indiana State Teachers Association, I lead a team of 6 people, leveraging a collective budget of more than $2 million to serve the 40,000+ members of Indiana’s largest union. 

• Advocacy: Spearhead efforts in community engagement, government relations, and racial & social justice, fiercely advocating for educational equity and inclusivity.

• Coalition Building: Co-founded the Indiana Educational Equity Coalition, uniting civil rights, educational advocacy, and faith organizations to foster statewide educational equity and social justice.

• Political Engagement: Pioneered strategies to defeat restrictive education legislation, safeguarding the integrity of teaching the nation’s history in schools.

• Strategic Counsel: Provide crucial governmental and racial justice guidance to ISTA’s governance and executive leadership, fostering a proactive approach to policy and community engagement.

• Racial and Social Justice Advocacy: Created the ISTA Educators of Color cohort, creator of the first Indiana Educators of Color Conference, and secured funding for first full time racial and social justice organizer.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY-PURDUE UNIVERSITY ∙ INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA September 2023-Present

Adjunct Professor Instructor for American Culture and Education course for teacher ed. candidates (September 2023-Present)

Assistant Coordinator of Service-Learning Program: Administrative Leadership of Service Learning (January 2024-Present)

IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE ∙ INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA September 2018-Present

Adjunct Professor: Instructor for Introduction to Political Science Course

NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION∙ Trenton, NJ Dec 2019-February 2022

Associate Director of Government Relations: Registered lobbyist and organizer for the state’s largest union.  Responsible for legislative analysis and reporting, testimony before legislative committees, coordination of legislative and congressional lobbying, state and federal political action efforts, and legislative/political action training for NJEA members in South Jersey.

Consultant: Responsible for training and organizing in Organizational Development division (December 2015-June 2016)

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY ∙ SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AND LABOR RELATIONS ∙ New Brunswick, NJ

Part-Time Lecturer: (January 2018-Present) Instructor of Black Workers in American Society course.  Currently teaching two sections of course.

NJ DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT∙ Trenton, NJ March 2019-December 2019

Chief of Outreach and Constituent Relations: Responsible for supervision of Outreach, E-mail Correspondence and Constituent Relations units of Division of Temporary Disability and Family Leave Insurance at NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Lead for development of outreach opportunities, employer seminars and training materials for newly expanded Family Leave Insurance and Temporary Insurance programs. Charged with assisting modernization of TDI and FLI processes and systems. New Jersey Gubernatorial Appointment.

NJ WORK ENVIRONMENT COUNCIL ∙ Ewing, NJ May 2016-October 2018

Campaign Organizer II: Responsible for organizing and expanding a dynamic grassroots advocacy campaign, Healthy Schools Now. The campaign focuses on ensuring that all New Jersey children and school employees learn and work in healthy, safe, and modern public schools.  Served as convener of diverse multi sector coalition.  Registered NJ State Lobbyist.

• Added 24 new formal coalition partners, wrote 6 op-eds in major news outlets (4 op-eds in NJ Star-Ledger), and significantly increased attendance at quarterly coalition meetings. 

• Made presentations at NJ School Boards Convention, National Council of Urban Education Associations in, NJEA conference, NJ Working Families post-election conference, Latino Institute conference, NJ Housing and Community Development Network conference.  

• Created Healthy Schools Now quarterly newsletter.

• Maintain diverse coalition of key organizations, through in-person and telephone contact.  Established major partnerships with Education Law Center, several major urban NJEA locals and NJ Working Families.  

TRENTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS ∙ Trenton, NJ February 2014-June 2016

Teacher of Social Studies: Responsible for instruction of U.S. History I and II, World History; Created Leadership Civics course

PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

CITY OF LAWRENCE, INDIANA REDEVELOPMENT COMMMISSION ∙ Lawrence, IN January 2024-Present

Board Member: The commission’s mission is to advance job creation and to encourage real estate development along Pendleton Pike from Shadeland Avenue to 59th Street and along Franklin Road. The commission uses the capital improvement tools of a tax increment finance district to accomplish its goals.

IUPUI SCHOOL OF EDUCATION DEAN ADVISORY’S COUNCIL∙ Indianapolis, IN September 2023-Present

Board Member: The Dean’s Advisory Council supports the mission of the IU School of Education at IUPUI through Dean Tambra O. Jackson’s vision and priorities. In collaboration with the Dean and Director of Development, the Council provides guidance and support to assist in developing and implementing the school’s strategic efforts related to institutional advancement.

THE GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS SOCIETY OF INDIANA∙ Indianapolis, IN October 2023-Present

Board Member: Professional Organization for Government Affairs Agents/Lobbyists in Indiana.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR POLITICAL & LEGISLATIVE SPECIALISTS OF EDUCATION October 2023-Present

Board Member: Provide leadership and represent lobbyists and campaign specialists from across the country on a national board. NALPSE’s mission is to improve the skills, experience, and knowledge of its members and to promote legislative programs and political activity that will achieve the goals of the organized teaching profession.

FAIR HOUSING CENTER OF CENTRAL INDIANA ∙ Indianapolis IN October 2022-Present

Board Member: The Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) is a private, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission is to ensure equal housing opportunities by eliminating housing discrimination through advocacy, enforcement, education, and outreach. The FHCCI fights housing discrimination not only because it is unlawful, but also because it is a divisive force that perpetuates poverty, segregation, ignorance, fear, and hatred. The FHCCI offers four main programs to fight housing discrimination and promote equal housing opportunity: Advocacy, Education, Inclusive Communities, and Public Policy. 

CHILDREN’S POLICY AND LAW INITIATIVE OF INDIANA ∙ Indianapolis, IN June 2022-Present

Board Member: CPLI was established in 2013 to reform laws, policies and practices that contribute to the criminalization of children in Indiana. It is one of 60 organizations in 43 states that belongs to the National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN). The NJJN leads a movement of state-based advocacy groups working toward a fairer youth justice system.  CPLI advocates for systemic changes for children so that programs, policies and practices are developmentally appropriate, equitably administered and fair, and provide the necessary support for a child’s successful transition to adulthood.

CITY OF TRENTON, NEW JERSEY ∙ Trenton, NJ July 2018-January 2022

City Councilman-At-Large: Citywide elected member of 7-member municipal legislative body responsible for oversight of $200 million budget, the Trenton municipal corporation, advice and consent on mayoral director appointments, and consideration of municipal ordinances and resolutions. Member of Alcohol Beverage Control Board and Board of Health. City Council Liaison to Trenton Board of Education and Trenton Free and Public Library Board.

MERCER COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES ∙ Trenton, NJ July 2015-February 2022

Board Member: Appointed by County Executive to serve on governing board of the Mercer County Board of Social Service, providing chief oversight and policy making body for social service functions in the County. Among the programs include Medicaid, TANFF, Child Support, Work First NJ and SNAPP.  Member of Budget Committee.