Student Reference

Creating change together!

I am proud to call Detroit my hometown. I was born, raised, and educated in the city and have dedicated most of my 20-year profession to improving the lives of Detroiters.

My experience in youth development, communications, social justice, and ministry equips me to genuinely relate to people from all walks of life – and work with them – serving alongside youth, community residents, nonprofit leaders, and corporate executives to create social impact that honors the dignity, humanity, and self-efficacy of others.

I’ve held some fantastic titles throughout my career, from intern to executive director — however, my proudest title is – mom.

That’s why DES means so much to me — bringing together my professional and personal passions to establish an educational institution that brings equity and change to an entire industry — a place where the child in my home and all the children in my hometown can thrive.

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Creating a more inclusive industry!

With almost 20 years in the marketing and advertising game, I have been blessed to make awesome happen on both sides of the brief. I am passionate about understanding people – how they see the world, what makes them tick, what drives their decisions, and it’s been my secret weapon to building high-impact relationships.

I’ve spent my career ensuring my consumer audience was at the center of my work. Now I’m refocusing that energy of the systems and people that create that work. Since joining VMLY&R in 2020, I have leveraged every opportunity to shape strategies, initiatives and activations to empower the agency’s Black talent by unpacking cultural, corporate, and industry issues in a relevant and empathetic way. And as a board member for Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center, I support their mission of putting people trained in advanced and emerging manufacturing technologies at the forefront of sustainable soft goods production with a particular lens on equity and inclusion.

I am committed to bringing my full self to every situation, but more importantly creating environments for others to do the same, especially Black womxn professionals. I strive to live my true passion every day - mentoring those around me and learning to be a more inclusive leader.

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Building bridges and creating lasting relationships!

This has been my true north for the past 20 years as an Account Management professional. Extroverted at heart, I have always leaned on my ability to understand, relate to and gain trust with my clients and partners throughout my career. This strength coupled with my growing passion as a wellness professional has led me to my current work as Operations and Client Engagement Director for the Detroit Experience Studio. In addition to representing as a Black professional in advertising, I seek to ground our students and partners alike, in the path of mindfulness — so we can show up as our truest and most authentic selves for success in any field.

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Giving back to my community!

As a product of DPS schools, I strongly believe in giving back to the community and students who look like me and share similar experiences.

In 2020, I founded an organization at Western Michigan University, Removing Every Obstacle (REO). REO is a mental health organization that serves as a safe space for college students to discuss their mental health as well as other issues they may be facing and to learn better mental health practices.

With a growing background in PR, philanthropy, advertising, community outreach, and more, many people would describe me as innovative, creative, dedicated, and driven, but I will always describe myself as a student — soaking up any knowledge around me.

My experience being a Client Engagement Intern with VMLY&R was full of new challenges and opportunities which ultimately allowed me to be the connector that I am now, and led me to being a full-time employee with VMLY&R. These experiences along with my overall life experiences have helped prepare me for this role with DES and I'm ecstatic to be able to share my experiences with our students.

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