Alexis Black

Experience

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  Dort Federal Credit Union

  Jan 2013 - Aug 2014

  Teller

  Cash handling, communicating with members

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  National Agents Alliance Corporate

  Aug 2013 - Jan 2014

  Life, Accident, and Health Producer

  I am licensed through the State of Michigan to sell Life Insurance, Mortgage Protection, and Annuities.

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  Uptown Developments

  Nov 2013 - Jul 2014

  Accounting Assistant

  At Uptown Developments, I was an Accounting Assistant doing Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and Bank Reconciliation.

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  Kellogg Company

  Nov 2014 - Jul 2015

  Finance/Accounting Student Support on the Real Estate Team

  I am responsible for the on-time delivery of rent, operating expenses, and tax through the monthly SAP winshuttle payment for over 150 U.S. locations. I am accountable for managing and updating the Global Real Estate Database which tracks and stores critical information on each facility. I also create, pay, and manage SAP purchase orders.

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  Foster Care to Success

  May 2015 - May 2015

  Aim Higher Fellow

  I traveled to Washington, DC for 2 weeks where I learned how to deliver effective video messages and presentations on transitioning into college, my foster care experience, and the successes of postsecondary education.

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  The Scholarship Expert

  Jan 2016 - Jan 2019

  Founder

  Created new business where I help students find money for college and other opportunities. I am focusing on foster youth and first-generation students.

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  Nonprofit Leadership Alliance

  Jan 2016 - Jan 2016

  Alliance Management Institute (AMI) Conference Participant
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  Career and Student Employment Services

  Aug 2016 - Mar 2018

  Peer Career Coach

  Mission is to empower students to develop the skills necessary for reaching their career goals.

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  Study abroad Office at WMU

  Jan 2017 - Dec 2018

  Study abroad Alumni Ambassador Intern

  Spread awareness about study abroad and other opportunities offered through WMU by tabling and doing classroom presentations.

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  Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute

  Aug 2017 - Dec 2017

  Programs & Policy Intern

  Research and stay informed of the current adoption and foster care legislation, reports and studies; correspond with and support congressional staff; and assist CCAI’s Director of Policy in planning, outreach and logistics for policy events and legislative briefings on Capitol HillFacilitate the programmatic details of our core programs, Angels in Adoption®, the Foster Youth Internship Program®, National Adoption Day, and other various projects

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  Seita Scholars Program

  Nov 2017 - Nov 2017

  Presenter

  Co-Presented at the APLU’s 2017 Project Degree Completion Award Ceremony Representing Western Michigan University and the Seita Scholar’s Program.

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  The nsoro Educational Foundation

  Jan 2018 - Jan 2018

  Presenter

  Chosen to present at the 2018 Nsoro Scholarship’s Starfish gala in Atlanta, GA to help raise money to ensure that more foster youth can attend higher education.

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  Hope Pkgs

  Feb 2018 - Apr 2018

  Fundraiser

  Raised over $500 with Hope Pkgs to fill duffel bags and backpacks for youth transitioning into foster care and delivered to Ennis Center for Children in Flint, MI. I also had the opportunity to speak at a fashion show fundraiser to help raise additional funds.

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  U.S. Department of State

  May 2018 - Jun 2018

  Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholar
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  JBS International, Inc.

  May 2018 - Aug 2024

  National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) Federal Reviewer

  Attend and complete a training that prepares me to participate on the Federal Review Team in case record reviews that assess the accuracy and appropriateness of services delivered to youth in foster care; Conduct stakeholder interviews with state personnel and other young people to understand how a state has implemented NYTD data collection, analysis, and use; and Provide assistance with the state final report that summarizes findings and recommendations from the review.

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  Global Leaders Program

  Jul 2018 - Jan 2019

  Program Officer & Outreach Director

  Co-developing the first entirely student-led leadership development program with a foreign service component at Western Michigan University. This program has three phases that will culminate in Summer I when Global Leaders travel to Lesvos, Greece, where they will collaborate with other partner organizations on capstone projects in a refugee camp.My primary duties are:-Social media coordinator to increase exposure and awareness of our program -Logistics, Foreign Operations - Ensure all logistical elements are in place for successful completion of Global Leaders Program Phase III: Capstone Foreign Service Projects-Outreach with collegiate partners to ensure the upkeep of robust and ongoing partnerships withall relevant departments at Western Michigan University-Outreach with students to recruit members, and ensure students have access to information regarding GLP and opportunities to apply-Outreach with funding opportunities - Pursue a wide range of avenues of funding in order to ensure finances are no barrier to participants Show less

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  Johns Hopkins University Advanced Academic Programs

  Jul 2018 - Jul 2018

  International Relations Career Challenge Program Participant

  Engaged in simulation exercises on promoting social and economic inclusion of youth in society to get hands-on experience in the decision-making process of international development organizations within three professional roles: Research & Policy Making, Project Management, and Campaign & Outreach.

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  Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Foundation and Institute

  Oct 2018 - Oct 2018

  Ronald Reagan Leadership Summit Speaker

  Invited to host two workshops at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California for their 2018 Leadership Summit.

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  University at Albany, SUNY

  Oct 2018 - Oct 2018

  PPIA Public Service Weekend Participant

  Selected to attend the public service weekend conference on the topic of Ensuring Accountability and Integrity – Public Service as a Force for Positive Change, at the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy, University at Albany.

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  Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service

  Oct 2018 - Oct 2018

  PPIA Public Service Weekend Participant

  Selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants to join 20 other students and a host of experts at the public service weekend conference on the topic of “Global Leaders Forum: Challenges in the International System” at Georgetown University.

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  Clinton Global Initiative

  Oct 2018 - Apr 2019

  Campus Representative and Committment-Maker

  I was accepted to attend the Clinton Global Initiative University at the University of Chicago with over 1,000 students from over 100 different countries. I submitted a proposal for the Scholarship Expert but decided to pivot my commitment to the Global Leaders Program. This is a year-long committment to meet certain benchmarks set forth in the proposal.

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  Western Michigan University

  Jan 2019 - Apr 2019

  Peer Mentor with Success @ WMU

  Paired with 38 incoming students to offer guidance and resources at Western Michigan University.

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  University of Pennsylvania Law School

  Jun 2019 - Jun 2019

  Global Institute for Human Rights Participant

  A one-week immersive course aimed at enhancing awareness of such topics such as women’s rights, migrants and refugees. The program concludes with policy recommendation presentations at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

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  American Enterprise Institute

  Jun 2019 - Jun 2019

  Summer Honors Program Participant

  As part of the Summer Honors Program, the AEI's Values & Capitalism program is an initiative that engages Christian college students in conversations about economics, public policy, society, and faith. I will be participating in the course ‘A Poverty and Welfare Policy Agenda for the 21st Century’ with Brent Orrell. More on the program:"This seminar will examine both the most pressing contemporary questions and foundational arguments in social policy. Students will consider competing definitions and measurements for poverty, and to what extent America’s poor share in the economic and social mainstream of national life. The seminar will consider both the economic and cultural forces surrounding poverty, and debate the capacities and responsibilities of business, civil society, and government interventions in addressing poverty. Detailed consideration of specific social policies related to workforce development, prisoner reentry, and public support of faith-based and community initiatives will allow seminar participants to connect these broader arguments to the actual choices facing leaders in poverty and welfare policy today." Show less

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  College Promise Campaign

  Aug 2019 - Oct 2019

  Assistant to the Chief of Staff

  - Managed five major innovative projects while providing direct support to the Chief of Staff on all logistical operations - Pitched and approved an additional target market of fostered youth to the organization's mission while building partnerships and creating team awareness of the subject - Designed and executed a comprehensive outreach strategy by strengthening coalition building, organizational development, and strategic alignment

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  Black House Investment Group

  Jan 2020 - Aug 2024

  Chief Executive Officer

  -Automated the entire rental experience for guests including check-in/out, payment processing, leasing execution, cleanings, feedback, and continued bookings resulting in SuperHost status on several platforms for over 15 months -Purchased and furnished two rental properties operating at over 26% higher occupancy rate than similar properties in the area -Sold one property for over 20% return on investment within one year -Developed a booking website for a streamlined guest experience for guests resulting in 10% savings on booking fees Show less

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  Redefining Normal

  Mar 2020 - Aug 2024

  Chief Executive Officer

  - Published bestselling book Redefining Normal: How Two Foster Kids Beat The Odds and Discovered Healing, Happiness and Love.- Facilitate over 200 workshops on child welfare, grit, and redefining our normal; Utilize project management methodologies, ensuring that they were completed on time, within budget, and met stakeholder expectations - Provide executive-level administrative support by writing proposals and securing media presence on podcasts, television, newspapers, and magazines resulting in increased brand visibility and enhancing the company's reputation - Maintain meticulous records of travel, including booking, flights, logistics, and inventory management, while adhering to goals and project timelines- Manage up to a 10-member team using project management tools to provide high-level support, optimize company-wide performance, and implement improved processes; Develop effective solutions that addressed challenges- Created and developed an internship program to increase the company’s profile while training and overseeing interns- Negotiated and closed deals on a daily basis by writing proposals while evaluating key performance indicators, such as cutting costs and strategic planning, resulting in the doubling of sales year after year- Collaborate with staff to provide expertise in strategic direction, increase efficiency, product innovation, and proposal development- Provide brand visibility by securing media presence on podcasts, television, newspapers, and magazines resulting in increased brand visibility and enhancing the company's reputation - Logistical support including booking team travel arrangements, logistics, and inventory management, while adhering to goals and project timelines- Selected to share life story in documentary funded by American Enterprise Institute (AEI) Show less

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  University of Michigan - Stephen M. Ross School of Business

  Aug 2024 - now

  MBA Candidate

  Full-time MBA Candidate, Consortium Fellow, Forte Fellow