Kanya Stewart

Experience

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  The New York Times Regional Group

  Apr 2004 - Apr 2005

  Writer/Researcher/Assistant

  • Wrote, researched, fact-checked, and covered multiple formats of stories and content for regional distribution. • Stories and fact-checking were picked up by top writers and editors across the company and media group. • Provided key reports and interviews from the state capitol building and from other key government offices and services on vital policy and decision-makers. • Promoted to this role from internship position.

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  The Capital Outlook Newspaper

  Nov 2004 - Sept 2006

  Associate Editor & Senior Writer

  • Served as second-in-command to publisher, including managing staff, freelancers and interns. • Managed all story assignments, writer development, research, and editing. • Managed and edited local, opinions, national, and feature sections of the newspaper. • Wrote and developed in-depth news and feature articles. • Interviewed and researched national, state-wide, and local newsmakers, leaders, innovators, personalities, and influencers. • Managed all story pitches and proposals, and curated specialty content. • Oversaw advertising placement. • Recruited, trained, and supervised interns, designers, and staff writers. • Provided ground-breaking coverage on social and community issues that received national readership and recognition and were selected on wire news services. • Created new departments and systems. • Improved readership and relationships with partners and community groups. • Achieved national reputation for publication as a leading African American and diverse voices news source. • Promoted to Associate Editor/Senior Writer from Freelance Writer/Editor position. Show less

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  Self-employed

  Sept 2006 - Dec 2014

  Strategy Consultant/Publicist/Storytelling/Designer/Operations Director

  Offered the following services: • Brand and communications strategy, media, and marketing consulting • Content writing, curating and editing • PR/publicity/media relations/brand management • Media pitching and booking • Product placement • Brand creation and promotional visuals/designs • Informational graphics and brand kits • Publication production, management and editing • Freelance journalism and press release writing • Web design, social media management and digital engagement solutions • Clients/projects included: B-Newz Digital Platform, Actor/Artist Christopher "Play" Martin, Author/Speaker Clark Crawford, Author/Speaker Anthony Dixon, Aspirational Performance - United Kingdom, Social Coach JT Tran, Motivational Speaker Vincent T. Edwards, Author/Speaker/Technologist K.L. Graham, Attorney Chuck Hobbs, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. • Helped clients successfully launch new brands, platforms, products, services, events, and build community engagement while gaining more exposure and audience members across multiple mediums and media platforms nationally. Show less

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  LLT Building Corporation

  Jun 2007 - Mar 2008

  Marketing & Communications Director/Publications Editor

  • Designed and coordinated corporate and community visual presentations, portfolios and publications for project bids/RFPs, and to obtain partner/client buy-in, winning multi-million-dollar contracts for the company. • Created, edited, and distributed marketing materials including proposals, advertisements, brochures, and newsletters. • Oversaw website and promotional emails. • Served as communications consultant to CEO and executive team. • Organized and managed company-wide marketing meetings/initiatives and community events. • Represented and promoted the company at public functions. • Helped the company to build community and extend its investor network by developing and marketing fundraising and awareness campaigns. • Received multiple bonuses and was promoted from Marketing Coordinator to Marketing and Communications Director role. Show less

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  CenturyLink, Inc

  Oct 2008 - Mar 2012

  Consumer Marketing Associate

  • Marketed new innovations/products and existing communications products. • Serviced, researched, updated, and maintained new and existing client accounts. • Provided leadership support in absence of supervisor, including team monitoring, motivation, and training. Ranked among top consumer marketing team members. • Received bonuses and special awards for my contributions.

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  Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

  Jan 2012 - Aug 2013

  Media and Newsroom Trainer/Adviser, School of Journalism & Graphic Communication

  Media and Newsroom Trainer/Adviser, School of Journalism & Graphic CommunicationFlorida A&M UniversityJanuary 2012 – August 2013• Oversaw operations and staff development for award-winning newspaper and online news platforms. • Trained and mentored emerging journalists through workshops, trainings, coaching, and presentations. Helped staff transition to virtual newsroom environment during on-campus crises. • Staff in the program went on to successful careers in journalism, media, and business. • Publications received several awards for productions under my leadership. • Helped to create more on-campus job opportunities for emerging professionals pursuing journalism, visual storytelling, and communications. Staff in the program went on to successful careers in journalism, media and business. Helped to create more on-campus job opportunities for emerging professionals pursuing journalism, visual storytelling and communications. Show less

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  The Capital Outlook Newspaper

  Mar 2012 - Oct 2012

  Associate Editor/Senior Writer

  (Interim Role) • Managed the daily operations of the newspaper and led the production team. • Wrote all lead, national and breaking stories. • Edited, curated, and proofed all newspaper content. • Executed all publication layout and design. • Published content digitally and for social media. Managed and trained staff, vendors, and interns. • Played key role in rebranding and reintroducing the publication to the local community and national newswire partners. • Grew readership, rebuilt reputation as leading African American community newspaper, and created new strategic publishing partnerships by building content that was wired and widely distributed via other news platforms nationwide. Show less

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  Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

  Dec 2013 - Jan 2019

  Assistant Director for Communications/Media Relations & Executive Editor

  • Managed, wrote, edited, produced, curated, and disseminated university media releases, articles, statements/speeches, marketing/recruitment material/copy, blog posts/web pages, magazines, brochures, video scripts, etc. • Cultivated/strengthened relationships with media/others essential to exposing the university story across the globe. Pitched strategic stories of impact to colleagues across platforms. • Conducted interviews with key campus leaders, innovators and change-makers to produce informational, technical, and promotional content. • Secured media placement for university/university leaders on/in national platforms like CNN/HLN, ESPN, USA Today, C-SPAN, Black Enterprise, EBONY, PBS, TVOne, plus ABC, CBS, and FOX affiliates. • Served as lead strategist/consultant for university executives, faculty, staff, etc. on best practices for interviews, public information/promotions, media appearances, storytelling. • Managed social media team, graphic designers, videographers/photographers, senior information specialists, writers, and interns. • Grew social media and online platforms. Oversaw implementation/launch of new news website. • Played instrumental role in partnering with president and vice presidents to create campaigns and platforms to tell the story of research, innovation, technology capabilities, as well as recruiting/engaging new audiences by communicating social impact on students/alumni. • Played a key role in revamping the university's brand identity, visual assets and incorporating visual storytelling across departments. • Promoted three times: from Freelance Writer/Editor to Media Specialist/Interim Media Relations Manager to Executive Editor and permanent Media Relations Lead to Assistant Director of the Office of Communications and Media Relations. • Received Florida Public Relations Association Golden Image Award/Magazine, CASE Merit Award/Overall Best Practice/Article of The Year, and Best Alumni Publication Award/Center for HBCU Media Advocacy Show less

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  National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)

  Jan 2019 - now

  Director Of Communications

  • Directs all external and internal communications/marketing/community engagement, strategies and platforms. • Plays lead role in developing content, statements, positions, media partnerships, etc., focused on advocacy and diversity, equity, and inclusion across the media industry. • Manages the following staff: graphic designers, web designers, communications assistants, partner communications coordinator, writers, and freelancers.• Serves as senior writer, storyteller, brand manager, content developer, visual creator, and editor. • Leads crisis, reputation and brand management, media relations, marketing, and publicity.• Oversees all digital footprints (web and social media presence management, development and content curation). Responsible for tripling reach and impressions.• Leads convention and conference marketing and press room efforts, including PR events for celebrities, government leaders, corporate executives, and dignitary guests. • Provides speech writing, scriptwriting, media training, visual assets, and other critical presentation design/support for executives. • Serves as a key consultant to President, Executive Director, and Operations Director. • Provides leadership in logistics/execution of virtual events and digital spaces, and plays key role in web-based engagement/training programs. • Manages/operates analytics software and other reporting to document impact and success. • Fosters a data-driven culture for decision-making, outreach, engagement, and storytelling. • Leads implementation of new brand extensions.• Garners global recognition for org through event marketing, engaging social media content, and media coverage/media relations.• Provides communications and marketing leadership that has helped the organization to host three back-to-back, record-breaking national events attracting thousands of journalists, influencers, and media representatives. • Have received several bonuses and rewards for performance. Show less

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  Out of This World Productions

  Sept 2020 - now

  Chief Executive Strategist/Owner

  Strategic Communicator & Marketing MavenConsultant & PR ProfessionalEditor & Copy WriterBrand JournalistThought-Leadership SpecialistMedia Trainer

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  GLG

  Nov 2020 - now

  Network Expert & Global Consultant

  Specializing in strategic consulting for:-Mission-Based Branding & PR-Current Trends in PR & Social Media Management-Overcoming Challenges for Digital Storytelling & Campaigns-Best Practices for Levering Technology to Tell Brand Stories-The Marketing Process for Establishing Brand Recognition-Improving Online Multimedia Presences-Expanding Bases/Audiences Through Digital/Virtual Platforms-Best Practices for Project Management & Team Management for International Storytelling Organizations-Best Practices for Brand Awareness for Brands & Organizations Whose Work Spans International Geographies Show less

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  YIMBY Nation

  Jul 2021 - now

  Podcast Management, Production, Booking and Creative Services Consulting

  YIMBY Nation is a podcast that brings unique perspectives from people who have served in the fields of advocacy, activism, non-profit, public, and the private development of affordable housing. We are driven by our passion for community empowerment, economic development, and residents' self-sufficiency in the transformation of underserved, low- and moderate-income communities.