Finding storytelling
Storytelling is a space of skillful creation to which I've always felt drawn.
Stories have the power to reroute lives. That power once fostered a reverence in me that kept me in the spectators seat – admiring the masterful work of other storytellers, but never seriously considering I could join them.
That is until a particularly turbulent year led me reevaluate my career goals and work. Introspection gave me perspective on what was essential to my purpose and helped me uncover a truth. I no longer wanted to just consume transformative story experiences, I wanted to help create them for others.
As I began to explore and practice different forms of storytelling – corporate communication, blogging, screenwriting – I found my strengths. I found myself in fields of creativity, communication, and humanity and felt right at home.
Essential skills
Storytelling
I bring audience, message, and messenger into balance to write and edit compelling communications that effectively convey big ideas and complex information in ways that inspire needed action in a corporate setting.
Strategizing
I redevelop processes, design frameworks, and facilitate group experiences that help people get breakthrough perspectives, share moving narratives of their work, and discover opportunities to make the greatest impact.
Consulting
I provide fresh eyes and objective expertise to help executive leaders and peers alike define clear goals and sustainably align efforts to them.
Other skills
"Story Strategy"
I discover and leverage opportunities to measurably elevate communication experiences so that people are well informed and genuinely inspired to do their best work.
I innovate new internal communication vehicles like headline-driven Slack messages to help dismantle silos, deliver engagement, and move teams to work in unison toward clear, common, and human-centered goals.
I listen actively and constantly to ensure the right stories are told to the right people, at the right time, and in the right way.
Brand Design
I walk with leaders through introspective explorations to develop brand strategies that foster confidence of purpose, illuminate brand differentiation, and draw in the right customers.
I collaboratively design brand identities that fuel recognition, build reputation, and help win the trust of new customers and audiences by connecting with them on an emotional level in crowded marketplaces.
I develop meaningful brand and product names that help accelerate market acceptance and motivate word of mouth transmission.
Work history
Explore my work history on the Resume page, or download a PDF of my resume here.
Contact me if you'd like to discuss my experiences. I'm always up for a chat.
I also keep my LinkedIn profile up to date so anyone can see what I've been up to.
Random facts
I’ve pet parented at least 15 hamsters throughout my childhood and adult. I adore them, but I don’t want anymore hamsters.
When we were kids, I probably saved my brother’s life – thanks to the Lord and my trusty BMX bike.
I spent my childhood between the South Bronx and Brooklyn, but was born in Washington, DC.
My wife is my BFF. And I have little interest in knowing how corny one thinks that is.
Each person in my home (myself, my wife, our daughter, and our son) was born in a different part of the country. One of us, a different country entirely.
It takes effort for me to write or design without listening to music.
I listen to hip-hop artists you've likely never heard of. Lyrical theology with Stephen the Levite, anyone? Maybe some culture commentary with Sho Baraka? How about Andy Mineo’s latest fiery release?
When it comes to food, "free" is my favorite ingredient. It makes everything delicious.
As a kid, for a long while, I wanted to be an engineer. Until I got old enough to realize I didn’t know what the heck I was talking about.
I think the modern mantra to "think outside the box" often stems from a failure to understand actual limitations at the start. Good design and innovation are born out of clear constraints.
I think creativity is really important to God. Opening sentence in the Bible? "In the beginning God created..." First person said to be filled with the Spirit of God? Bezalel, an artist and designer.