Work Experience

Senior Staff Writer, Kids/Pets, NYT Wirecutter (July 2024 - Present)

I work on cross-platform content packages — writing voicey articles, reporting on viral kids/pets products, fronting videos, bylining newsletters and more.

Project Manager, HBweCU, BET (December 2023 - March 2024)

I blended editorial and marketing to create a Gen Z-focused strategy for the HBweCU ambassador program.

Contributing Editor, Kindred, at Parents.com (July 2023 - October 2023)

In this contract role, I worked closely with Kindred’s Senior Editor and brand leadership to creatively develop content, manage writers and assignments. I also guided visual strategy, ultimately driving growth on organic and extended platforms. Additionally, I collaborated with Parents’ special projects team and other shared teams, including social, product, design, and more.

Features Editor of ESSENCE (July 2022 - August 2023)

I oversaw the long form features section of ESSENCE's website, including digital cover stories. In this senior editing role, I worked with ESSENCE's writers, editors and freelancers on pieces ranging in scope from personal essays to lifestyle to race, gender and culture. I also worked with the art department on design and photography for digital and print.

Gen Z Editor of ESSENCE (January 2020 - July 2022)

As the company’s first-ever Gen Z editor, I was responsible for writing, editing and assigning inclusive youth culture content across politics, beauty, fashion, lifestyle, entertainment and live events. This included news briefs, interviews, galleries, op-eds, franchises, and reported features. Between January 2021 to January 2022, I brought in 8+ million page views for the online content I wrote and published.

In November 2021, I spoke with Zaya Wade for her first-ever written interview. 

The environment was fast-paced and the daily/weekly/monthly focus was subject to change given news, story updates, print demands, traffic, new statistics, and client/partner needs.

In 2021, I began an opinion column, Keeping It Z, that covered Generation Z's greatest concerns and lifestyle. Story topics included: reproductive autonomy, the necessity of openly queer, Black titans in pop culture, mental wellness, rising COVID-19 cases in Texas, romance in the age of social media and more. 

Associate Editor of ESSENCE Girls United (September 2019 - July 2022)

I led the launch of Girls United, ESSENCE’s editorial sister brand for Gen Z. I provided insight into all things Gen Z, including hot daily news, celebrity obsessions, cultural moments with various angles, beauty/fashion trends, wellness hacks, buzzy books, social justice content, entertainment scoops and more. I established an informative and friendly brand voice.

I worked closely with the social, sales, marketing, and design teams.

I oversaw the editorial team, which consisted of a fellow editor and a group of freelance writers. I provided input on stories as well as strategy/production to increase traffic to build brand consistency. During my time as the site lead, Girls United’s site clicks increased by 840% between 2021 and 2022. This rapid boost informed our content strategy the following year.  

Additionally, I’ve oversaw branded editorial content for the 2020 Biden-Harris campaign, as well as a campaign with Purple Innovation for Black History Month, both of which were client-facing. I’ve also guided event coverage for partnerships with Disney and McDonald’s. 

In 2020 and 2021, I worked with ESSENCE’s larger team to ideate our hybrid virtual/in-person tentpole event, Girls United Summit. This is a day of motivational speaking, workshopping. and career networking. For the 2021 event, I created the run of show, pitched celebrity talent, moderated a panel on the importance of mental health, all while helping helm additional panels on content creation, fashion trends for the academic year and starting your own business.  

On a day-to-day basis, I was responsible for creating yearly (as well as more detailed, monthly and weekly) content calendars. I used data, traffic, SEO, and trend forecasts to build out a comprehensive editorial strategy.

Chief Content Officer of The Gumbo (September 2020  - November 2021)

I was a founding writer for the popular entertainment site. As an editor, I fielded pitches, edited stories, created a column about women in hip-hop and crafted virtual events, including Digital Dinners, the first of which was conducted in collaboration with Red Bull. 

For my essay column The Roux, I focused on women in hip-hop, specifically the impact of their careers on Black American culture. A few topics thus far have been: “Eccentric Women Have Made Some of The Best Hip-Hop” and “How Rap Groups Composed Of Women Progress Black Feminist Thought.”

Senior Editor of CheapyXO (October 2018  - January 2019)

I launched and was responsible for writing beauty/fashion, culture, and wellness pieces for the content platform.

Freelance Writer (March 2017 - Present)

I am commissioned to write for a variety of publications for both print and digital. CNN, BET, PAPER Magazine, ZORA, Teen Vogue, InStyle, Vibe Magazine, HYPEBAE, Fashionista, Bitch Media, Garage Magazine, StyleCaster, and HelloGiggles are among the sites I’ve written for. 

Intern, Membership Coordinator for HeyMama (February 2017 - June 2017)

I was in charge of membership acceptance (after consulting with co-founder) for the digital-first, profile creation, smartsheet organization, email correspondence with members, status reports during team meetings and potential membership outreach. Administrative position at its core. Also assisted with live events. 

Writer and Social Media Manager for Electric Circus (November 2015 - February 2017)

Pitched and wrote music and fashion articles, including a feature on millennial misogyny that was called “vitally important.” I also created original images for the site as well as social. I used Bit.ly to schedule Tweets. 

Entertainment Intern for Saint Heron (October 2015 - February 2016)

I was responsible for pitching and writing daily news. I also conducted exclusive interviews with performers like KeiyaA.

Skills

Proficient in SEO, WordPress, Parse.ly, Google Analytics, Smartsheet, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Microsoft Office, TweetDeck, and Bitly.