About Me
Communications strategist and writer with expertise in public relations, crisis management, and special projects for elected officials, political candidates, trade associations, and academics.
Contact Information
- [email protected]
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Consulting Inquiries
Looking for strategic communications consulting? I provide services through Byrd Porter Strategies.
Professional Biography
I'm a communications strategist and writer with expertise in public relations, crisis communications, and special projects for elected officials, political candidates, trade associations, and academics. Currently, I work as a Health Correspondent for Word In Black, where I cover health and wellness topics with a focus on the Black community.
Throughout my career, I've held communication leadership positions in advocacy organizations, government, and political campaigns. Most recently, I served as Press Secretary to the CEO at the Center for Policing Equity. Previously, I've worked as Public Relations Manager for the District of Columbia Housing Authority and Chief Advocacy Officer for the MD/DC Credit Union Association.
Key Accomplishments
- Led the international public relations campaign that resulted in freeing U.S. citizen Shezanne Cassim who had been wrongly imprisoned by the U.A.E.
- Spearheaded creation of a congressional oversight training series for Capitol Hill staff.
- Was point person for a coalition that successfully led effort to pass financial services legislation enacted in Maryland and Washington, D.C.
- Crafted and helped pass legislation creating a task force that led to making financial literacy education a requirement in Maryland's schools.
My work combines a passion for effective communication with deep experience in government affairs, media relations, and advocacy. I specialize in helping organizations and individuals craft compelling messaging, navigate complex public relations challenges, and achieve strategic communications goals.
Professional Experience
Current Positions
Word In Black
Health Correspondent
Freelance health correspondent producing in-depth coverage of health and wellness topics with a focus on the Black community.
Byrd Porter Strategies
Principal & Communications Consultant
Providing strategic communications, writing, and social media services to non-profit organizations, businesses, and academics in the Washington DC-Baltimore Area.
Recent Professional Experience
Center for Policing Equity
Press Secretary to the CEO and Board Liaison
Served as primary media contact and press secretary to the CEO, managing media relations and public communications. Facilitated board communications and coordinated executive initiatives in a remote work environment.
Government Experience
District of Columbia Housing Authority
Public Relations Manager
Managed public relations in the Office of Public and Congressional Affairs for an agency serving 50,000 District of Columbia residents. Managed staff, implemented communications plans, managed the publications process for the agency's major reports and marketing materials, and edited the agency's annual report.
Office of Rep. Keith Ellison
Communications Director
Established and maintained relationships with national, state, and local media and was on-the-record spokesperson. Managed Deputy Communications Director and additional staff. Implemented website redesign that increased unique visitors by more than 20%. Achieved 60% increase of unique website visitors.
Office of Rep. Donna F. Edwards
Special Assistant
Designed and directed special events including producing a job-training program and a one-day job fair featuring federal and private employers with 2,000 attendees. Produced a forum for 300 Minority-Women Business owners in conjunction with Essence magazine.
U.S. House Committee Positions
- Communications Director, House Committee on Homeland Security
- Press Secretary, House Financial Services Committee
Developed and executed communications strategies, maintained media relationships, and served as spokesperson for committee activities. Managed website redesigns and increased media coverage of committee work.
Advocacy & Policy Experience
MD/DC Credit Union Association
Chief Advocacy Officer
Crafted and helped pass legislation creating a task force that led to making financial literacy education a requirement in Maryland's schools. Was point person on coalition that successfully led effort to pass legislation requiring payday lenders to comply with usury rates in Washington, D.C.
Project on Government Oversight
Communications Director
Spearheaded creation of POGO's congressional oversight training series for Capitol Hill staff who investigated waste, fraud, and abuse. Developed and executed communications strategy.
Political Campaign Experience
Political Campaign Positions
- Communications Director, Campaign to Re-elect Rushern Baker, III
- Press Secretary, DNC/Coordinated Campaign to Elect Kerry-Edwards Minnesota
Implemented communications strategies and maintained media relationships. Managed key constituent groups, campaign surrogates, and served as on-the-record spokesperson.
TruBlu Politics
Vice President
Provided direct mail/direct promotion and communications services to political candidates in Maryland and several U.S. regions.
Areas of Expertise
- Communications Strategy
- Media Relations
- Public Relations Strategy
- Government Affairs
- Social Media Strategy
- Political Campaigns
- Opinion-Editorial Writing
- Speechwriting
Education
American University
M.A. in Communications
Emphasis in Journalism and Public Affairs
Johns Hopkins University
B.A. in International Studies
Notable Projects
Shezanne Cassim International Campaign
Led the international public relations campaign that resulted in freeing U.S. citizen Shezanne Cassim who had been wrongly imprisoned by the U.A.E.
Congressional Oversight Training
Spearheaded creation of POGO's congressional oversight training series for Capitol Hill staff who investigated waste, fraud, and abuse in government.
Published In
Also published in the International Herald Tribune and several other national and international publications.
Work With Me
Looking for a seasoned communications professional to help craft your message, navigate complex public relations challenges, or develop strategic content? Contact me to discuss how my experience can help you achieve your communications goals.