Dr. Kojo Amissah

Experience

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  Reminiscence Productions, LLC

  Sept 1986 - now

  Chief Executive Officer, Owner, Operator

  DJ (Disc Jockey) company established while in college that provides music and karaoke entertainment as well as sound and lighting rentals for public, private, and special events for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and hearing clients. Also provide training to aspiring young Deaf/Hard of Hearing DJs as a business strategy to “pay it forward.” Project Management/Event Planning: Skills utilized across all operations and events. Comfortable with strict deadlines. Worked with over 100 wedding planners. Ensured wedding couples did not go over budget for all aspects of their weddings - including hiring DJ, photographer, managing contracts, and confirming details. Most of these weddings were planned from start to finish within a year, and often all tasks were completed within ten months, which left two months to double-check everything before the wedding day. Show less

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  Hess Corporation

  Aug 1991 - Nov 1993

  Shift Supervisor

  Supervised the day-to-day operations of the station and store while supervising 5 staff members who were also college students.Handled currency and credit transactions quickly and accurately.Strictly followed all cash, security, inventory and labor policies and procedures.Counted cash drawers and made bank deposits.Dispensed lottery tickets and accurately paid and documented winning tickets.Collected and disposed of trash outside and cleaned gas station bathrooms.Verified age of customer if they were purchasing alcohol or cigarettes, answered questions and provided directions if needed.Sold food and grocery items.Charged and replaced batteries.Prepared daily reports of fuel and oil and manage deliveries.Reported suspicious activity in and around gas station. Show less

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  Blockbuster

  May 1993 - Nov 1996

  Assistant Manager

  Assisted in the planning and managing of the Banquet Department operationsGreeted customers and provided excellent customer service.Promptly and empathetically handled guest concerns and complaints.Provided high standards of customer service during high-volume, fast-paced operations.Handled currency and credit transactions quickly and accurately.Strictly followed all cash, security, inventory and labor policies and procedures.Counted cash drawers and made bank deposits.Interviewed job candidates.Assigned employees to specific duties to best meet the needs of the store.Conducted store inventories once per quarter. Show less

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  Hyatt Hotels Corporation

  Jun 1997 - Jan 1998

  Assistant Banquet Manager

  Assisted in the planning and managing of the Banquet Department operationsAssisted the Banquet Manager with overseeing the staff, operations, and service of the banquets department. Hired, managed, and assessed banquet staff. Developed and reviewed budgets. Sustained profitability through use of cost controls Conserved inventory and supervised events.

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  White Hen Pantry

  Jan 1998 - Apr 1998

  Franchise Store Manager

  Franchise-transition operations to ensure successful franchise transfer to new ownership. Utilize Project Management skills in all operations. Train and supervise five staff. Perform quarterly analysis and provide solutions as needed to reduce waste and save costs. Monitor financial transactions with tracking database. Complete performance reviews. Manage vendor and public relations. Resolve all customer concerns. Responsible for the successful transition of ownership for three stores within the three months in the role of Franchise Store Manager. Show less

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  Jewel-Osco

  Apr 1998 - Nov 2001

  Deli Manager

  Planned and managed the day-to-day operations of the Deli Department including budgeting while supervising 10 staff members. Certified Food Service Manager. Oversaw the shop business activities that produce desired and consistent results within the district and meet and exceed corporate profit margin expectations. Provided on-going training to staff and new hires and ensure that training requirements are communicated throughout the organization. Utilized Project Management skills in all operations including managing, scheduling and collaboration of large team projects across departments (Deli, Bakery, Produce, Frozen, Front End, Diary, Meat) within the store to generate and increase profit margins. Collected and analyzed weekly sales data to determine “item of the week” marketing campaigns while using creative ways to manage costs. Performed quarterly budget analysis and provide solutions as needed to reduce waste and save on cost. Completed performance reviews. Managed vendor and public relations. Resolved all customer concerns. Show less

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  Gallaudet University

  May 2002 - Nov 2003

  As a President's Fellow for Diversity Initiatives, one of my responsibilities was to suggest ideas that would bring the entire campus together for difficult conversations related to diversity after the 2006 protest. To this end, I worked closely with a diversity consultant to create an intergroup dialogue program. This program trains the faculty and staff on how to facilitate dialogues. After completing my training, I have facilitated several courses (links to videos attached). The videos are examples of my ability to innovate and take programs to the next level. Show less Served as acting director to YSP (Young Scholars Program) in the absence of the Director. Counseled 24 high school students on adjustment to college life. Worked closely with the Director to develop a budget and to ensure that we meet our budget goals. Assisted the Director with planning, recruiting, designing, and implementing all program goals as well as establishing rules, guidelines, and procedures for YSP following the Gallaudet policies. Served as the contact person to 24 parents in the absence of the Director. Facilitated on-going communications regarding the students' well-being and success to parents. Maintained all student files to ensure that all Incident Reports (IR) and students' data is kept confidential. Developed an Excel budget spreadsheet for the YSP program to track expenditures. Processed all payroll information for YSP staff and all interpreter requests as needed.Project Management: I collaborated with different programs on campus to prepare for students' arrival. I worked on the budget by contacting each of the students' state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) offices for funding and payments. This was important because payments had strict deadlines that must be met for students to participate in the program. Given that state Vocational Rehabilitation offices paid for most of the costs of YSP, I was able to save the University $15,000 that was originally intended to cover costs. Show less

  • Inter-Group Dialogue Facilitator

    Nov 2003 - Nov 2003

  • Staff Residence Assistant (SRA)

    Aug 2002 - Nov 2003

  • Office Assistant

    May 2002 - Aug 2002
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  Gallaudet University

  Nov 2007 - Jun 2021

  Engages and provides career services and consultation to assigned programs within the university. Utilizes communication theories to develop and teach an Internship Seminar to approximately 36 Communications major and minor students per year. Monitors the internship rates of University students taking my course which has averaged approximately 70% (13 out of 18 students) per semester. The results from this course are translated into data which in turn are used to advise the Communication Arts Department Director and management team on suggested curriculum changes and enhancements to increase internship placement targets. Extracts and analyzes course evaluations and use the results to further advise colleagues, management and staff in the future course content planning. Works with program faculty to resolve issues, deviations, and exceptions to internship-related requests by students that impact policies and procedures which may have an influence on their projected graduation dates. Participated in the assessment and review of course curriculum and advised Department of Business Director (management) to create an innovation program called “Shark Tank,” modeled after the television series. The Shark Tank later evolved into a university-wide business pitch program called the “Bison Tank” as a play on the University’s bison mascot. Show less Actively consulting with over 1200 students at any point during the academic year and teaching four sections of the GSR110: Career Development course in my role as Career Consultant. Also have a role as Adjunct professor in the Department of Communication, Art, and Theater teaching the COM320: Internship Seminar. Eighty percent (80%) of students in these courses have successfully obtained part-time or/and full-time internships. I am a mentor, coach, advocate, and role model to my mentees. All mentees have graduated, have gotten hired, and have become leaders in their communities. Several mentees have moved on to become entrepreneurs and private business owners.Instrumental in creating the Keeping the Promise retention program in 2006. At the time, Black deaf male retention was at 1%. I compiled research related to best practices and examples of retention programs to design, propose and implement Keeping the Promise, which now helps the University retain and graduate 90% of the Black Deaf male student population.Prior to becoming Chair of the Gallaudet Staff Council (GSC) in 2013, the University administrators acknowledged that the GSC was not a member of its shared governance system but no effort was made to change this. Once I became Chair of the GSC, I collaborated and led in the restructuring of the Council, revisions of the By-Laws, implementation of the Council of Representatives, Staff Awards system, and a new internal promotion policy. I successfully integrated the GSC into the University’s self governance system by creating a seat for GSC representation at the University Board of Trustees meetings. During my tenure as GSC Chair, I created a "wish list" survey where the results led to the first-ever university-wide customer service training. Show less Did extensive research, review, and analysis of over 150 years of university records related to diversity specifically at Gallaudet along with the general history of diversity and inclusion programs as well as Human Resource practices and policies related to equity in order to advise the University President on the creation – through strategic staffing - of a Vice President of Diversity (Chief Diversity Officer) position to address diversity issues within the University’s academic environment. Along with this, my proposal to integrate the already existing Multicultural Student Development Programs (MSDS) into the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (run by the newly created position of Vice President of Diversity) in order to keep the organization aligned was also approved and implemented. Developed and supervised the implementation of multiple inter-group dialogue courses by establishing and managing teams, facilitating discussion groups, course administration, and course evaluation. The data collected during the courses were used to compile a list of student needs and concerns as well as to identify gaps in the University’s Strategic Plan/Mission. The compiled list became a key tool that was presented to all relevant stakeholders in order to prioritize projects, issues, and whether they were technically feasible to implement or not. Once decided, I was given a specific budget and limited schedule and successfully completed all projects within budget, scope and schedule. Use the Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS) to develop a facilitator (train the trainer) training program curriculum to build a training infrastructure and facilitator pipeline within the University resulted in training twenty-five (25) facilitators per year since it was established in 2009. Show less

  • Adjunct Professor

    Sept 2010 - Jun 2021

  • Career Consultant

    Nov 2003 - Jun 2021

  • Presidential Leadership Fellow for Diversity Initiatives

    Nov 2007 - Jan 2010
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  Jordan Flats Condominium

  Sept 2010 - Dec 2016

  Chief Executive Officer

  Served as the first CEO in order to begin the Homeowner's Association Board. Worked with select owners to hire our HOA management company CItylights Realtor Group. Led the Online discussion and vote on all matters that affected the HOA. Served two-terms.

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  STANDU, Inc.

  Jun 2015 - now

  Director Of Fundraising

  Devises a fundraising strategy to be approved by the chief executive or senior leadership team. Agrees to an organization budget and work to achieve or exceed a fundraising target. Co-ordinates and manages to fundraise, comprising the community, trust, corporate, major donor and digital fundraising, across the organization. If necessary, leads and motivates a team of volunteers who engage in fundraising activities. Builds relationships with high profile and high net worth individuals as potential donors to the organization. Builds relationships with charitable trusts, foundations, and other institutional funders. Writes or/and approves funding applications to charitable trusts and foundations. Attends networking events and meetings with potential donors. Prepares reports and gives presentations on fundraising progress to the senior leadership team and the trustee board.https://www.standforubuntu.org/ Show less

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  American Legion Post 8

  Aug 2016 - now

  Bar Manager

  Lead change implementation following directions of the American Legion Post Commander and his leadership team. Participate in innovative processes that impact current and new members’ satisfaction in compliance with the District of Columbia Bar Manager Certification standards and the National American Legion. Uses managing up and service leadership methods to influence change. Manages Bar Operations and is responsible for building security and safety protocols.

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  Global Deaf Aid Foundation, Inc

  Apr 2017 - May 2018

  Executive Director

  Leadership, management, fundraising, communication, planning and new business.

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  Amistad Diversity and Inclusion Consulting Group

  Dec 2019 - now

  CEO

  We work with you and your organization to create equity and inclusion programs that have a positive. impact on all members, including those with visible and hidden disabilities.

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  Self-employed

  Oct 2020 - Sept 2021

  Diversity and Inclusion Consultant and Motivational Speaker

  Knowledge of how to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies that promote success for organizations. As a marginalized individual with a disability, I possess a deep understanding, awareness, and sensitivity to marginalized people's experiences. I understand the national trends and issues on diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizations and impact people with disabilities. Track record as an agent for change with experience in organizational development and sustainable program design and implementation. Proven ability to build coalitions with and mobilize leaders within large, decentralized organizations. Experienced leading programs to new levels of excellence, impact, and innovation. An experienced leader accustomed to effectively engaging local community leaders and government officers, and business executives. Exceptional interpersonal skills, including strong communication skills and the ability to exercise a high degree of diplomacy and discretion. Demonstrates cultural humility and a respectful attitude towards individuals of diverse cultures and orientations. Committed to and advocates for self-evaluation/self-reflection to learn more about identities, systems, and influences of power, privilege, and oppression. Known as great energy, enthusiasm, and integrity person, capable of exercising a high degree of diplomacy and discretion. Show less

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  360 Degree Consulting

  Jul 2021 - now

  Senior Consultant
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  Hearing Speech + Deaf Center

  Jul 2021 - Sept 2021

  Director, Community Services for the Deaf