LaTierra Piphus

Experience

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  Boston Store

  Oct 2007 - Jul 2009

  Sales Associate

  As a sales associate, I performed cashier duties and customer service. Before I moved into the Shoe Department, a commissioned sales positions, I worked in every other department of the store floating to where ever the need was the highest. I left that job to prepare for college which I began in September 2009.

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  Sisters In Action

  Sept 2010 - May 2012

  Cultural Programming Director

  I began with SIA as the Member-At-Large which didn't require that I use enough of my skills to better the organization, so the following year the President, Ms. Ashleigh Banks created a position just for me as the Cultural Programming Director. During my time with SIA I developed, implemented and coordinated cultural diversity into the structure of our programming and mission of Sisters In Action, a women's empowerment student organization at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. As an organization we bought Ms.Ife Olatunji to show her documentary "Lessons From The Tiger": "This short documentary made with the girls of Fior di Loto School in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India explores daily life for girls as they pursue a life changing education in the Rajasthani desert." -IfeWe did presentations on the Femicide in Juarez, Mexico and how participants in their war use sexual violence as war tactics.We screened "The Souls of Black Girls" a documentary "that takes a critical look at media images--how they are instituted, established and controlled." -Souls of Black GirlsWe also did community service activities, reproductive justice work and hosted events like the "Fairy Godmother Project" which donated the college student's refurbished prom dresses to high school girls who couldn't afford a dress or accessories. Show less

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  University of Wisconsin-Parkside's LGBTQ Resource Center

  Sept 2010 - May 2011

  Student Assistant

  This year long position allowed me to work other LGBTQA students on our campus. Through this position, I sat on advisory councils with the Chancellor, traveled to various state-wide events and helped develop and execute many of the programs created by the center. I also designed and distributed various promotional marketing materials for the events and programs. Working at the center helped me jump-start the development of Agents for Liberations and gave me a wealth of resources to pull from, most of which was the emotional support provided by Mr. Aaric Michael Guerriero and my amazing co-worker Kathryn Evans. Show less

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  UWP- Women's Resource Center

  Sept 2010 - Nov 2010

  (Interim) Coordinator

  During the 2 months I led this organization, I made significant collaborations with student organizations and local non-profits, recruited, and scheduled volunteers to make sure the center stayed open longer to address student issues, presented to various classes on the resources we provide, organized events like "Take Back The Night", pro-choice campaigns and a successful "Keep A Breast Alive" Fundraiser. I was also responsible for the designing, marketing and distributing of all our promotional materials.Towards the end of my stay there, I was able to bring the famous poet Dana Gilmore to campus to perform. Show less

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  Agents For Liberation

  Feb 2011 - May 2013

  Founder/President

  Agents for Liberation is an LGBTQAISA student organization for people of color on the University of Wisconsin-Parkside's campus and surrounding areas.As founder and President, I handle logistics, seeking funding sources, proposal-writing, coordinating events, meetings and members, promoting change and leadership, much much more.

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  Women & Children's Horizons

  Mar 2011 - Jun 2013

  Volunteer/Facilitator

  After taking the 36-hour training course back in 2011, I began volunteering as an On-call Advocate which meant I met with victims of domestic violence (sometimes in the middle of the night) and provided them with resources, support and options support group. In our meetings, we discussed topics like 'how societal and systematic oppression contribute to silencing victims', 'the ways in which violence is promoted in communities of color' and 'ways to move past the pain and trauma'. After that class dispersed due to low-attendance, I continued to volunteer with the organization in other ways like training new volunteers on working with victims of color.Shortly after graduating, I began facilitating a weekly Life Skills support group in which we discussed topics such as boundary-setting, internal baggage, healthy relationships and accessing community resources. Working with this organization has added so much value to my life and has definitely helped me discover my true passions in life. Show less

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  SafeStart Youth Council

  Jun 2011 - Feb 2012

  Member/Youth Advisor

  As a member of the SafeStart Youth Council, I help create, develop and organize community programs and events to promote prevention against domestic violence within Racine and surrounding counties.

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  Making It Better Now! LGBTQAISA Youth Support Group

  Jun 2011 - Oct 2011

  Advisor/Co-Facilitator

  I peer-advised & mentored LGBTQAISA youth between the ages of 14-20 while co-facilitating the support group with Reverend Dr. Monica Cummings. I helped with coordinating activities, developing the facilitators manual and providing a safe space to share sensitive topics like Coming Out, HIV/AIDs Awareness and trauma.

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  Famous Footwear

  Oct 2011 - Dec 2011

  Sales Associate

  I assisted customers with purchases while introducing them to our new stock; stocked shoes on floor and updated sale pricing; I executed register operations, sales, refund and exchanges gracefully. Soon afterwards, I received a class back for the Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha, working with youth which was a job better suited to my skills.

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  Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha

  Dec 2011 - Mar 2012

  Afterschoool Specialist

  As an afterschool specialist, I created and developed age-appropriate activities and projects for the youth, grades 1st-5th. I provided tutoring help with homework and basic life skills like "What it means to have Integrity?", Goal Setting and Anti-bullying activities. I also engaged students in the Arts as part of their creative development. Shortly after starting at the Boys & Girls Club, I received a call back from the Kenosha Aging & Disability Resource Center working as a Community Outreach Specialist. Show less

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  Diverse & Resilient

  Mar 2012 - Jul 2013

  Volunteer

  For D&R, I was a panelist at their 4th Annual Lesbian & Bisexual Women’s Health Forum in October 2012; In July 2013 co-facilitated sexual health & wellness workshops at their HIV/AIDS Prevention Institute 2013 for youth 14-19; I also sat on their state advisory council for Intimate Partner Violence. D&R was the last organization I volunteered with up until the final weeks of my departure from Wisconsin. I appreciate all the hard work they do throughout Wisconsin.

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  Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center

  Mar 2012 - Jun 2013

  Community Outreach Specialist

  I had the opportunity to develop many of the skills listed in your position description while serving as the Community Outreach Specialist for the African-American community while simultaneously working as the Coordinator of the Ethnic Elder’s group. For both positions I coordinated informational mailings, developed both community, state-wide and regional relationships, implemented community programs, researched, created & distributed promotional/educational materials throughout the state. I also helped introduce LGBTQ in Aging competency through developing a community committee and trainings provided by the Center on Halsted. Show less

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  REVOLushunaryAx

  May 2013 - Jul 2015

  Director/Facilitator

  rEVOLushunaryAx (pronounced “revolutionary acts”) established in 2012, is a consultant agency developed specifically to address media justice* issues within communities of color that experience a variety of interconnected oppression such as racism, poverty, colonization, sexism, white supremacy, institutionalized racism, anti-blackness, colorism, trans*misogyny, homophobia, intimate partner violence/domestic abuse, sexual assault, generational trauma, cyclical poverty, capitalism, lack of access, reproductive injustices, street harassment, imperialism, homelessness, growing incarceration rates and so much more . We tackle barriers impacting our communities through media literacy education, computer literacy training and, essentially, closing the Digital Divide **. Media Justice has been achieved when the media and cultural environment results in connected communities, fair economies, racial justice and human rights for all people, and lifts up the voices of communities of color, low-income families, low-wage workers, LGBT communities, women, and all those whose voices are raised, but remain unheard.”–Center for Media Justice* “Media Justice is a long-term vision to democratize the economy, government, and society through policies and practices that ensure: democratic media ownership, fundamental communication rights; universal media and technology access, and meaningful, accurate representation within news and popular culture for everyone. ** “The concept of the “digital divide” refers to the growing gap between the underprivileged members of society, especially the poor, rural, elderly, and handicapped portion of the population who do not have access to computers or the internet; and the wealthy, middle-class, and young Americans living in urban and suburban areas who have access.”-Stanford University Show less

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  Byte Back, Inc.

  Sept 2013 - Jul 2014

  Computer Literacy Instructor

  Performing classroom instructions on basic computer skills in order to help seniors and adults gain employment or qualify for a higher paying job; Developing curriculum for computer programs like Powerpoint and various workshops to be taught at DC Public Libraries; Facilitating job-readiness workshops and helping to develop students resumes; Writing articles; Teaching QuickBooks,Microsoft Office Suite and social media marketing; Registering students for courses and helping them through applications. Show less

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  National Abortion Federation

  Oct 2013 - Nov 2013

  Reproductive Justice Training

  I was trained at NAF on Reproductive Justice work and learned more about the War on Women here in the U.S..

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  AmeriCorps VISTA

  Jan 2014 - Jan 2015

  VISTA
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  The Trifecta Tribe, LLC

  Feb 2014 - Oct 2015

  Managing Editor

  Supervise and engage online site membership to increase interactivity and productivity; Develop Digital Marketing Strategies to increase readership, increase exposure and to sell ad space; Manage and interface with 4 content bloggers, coordinating publishing schedules and editing; Enhance our website and blog post’s Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Google Analytics functions.(Formerly the Communications Intern)

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  Media Literacy Now

  May 2014 - Mar 2016

  Writer & Facilitator

  Media Literacy Now raises the level of public discourse on Media Literacy, to spark grassroots and legislative activity in each state leading to broad-based, comprehensive Media Literacy in schools as a matter of policy. www.MediaLiteracyNow.org

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  Youth Conservation Corps

  Nov 2014 - Mar 2015

  Bridge to College Specialist

  I assist YCC members in gaining access to colleges, universities or trade schools. I plan college tours, host college and career readiness workshops and am developing the organizations Cultural Competency Initiative.

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  US2020

  Jan 2015 - Jul 2016

  STEM Coalition Coordinator (AmeriCorps VISTA)

  US2020 is a new organization developed from a White House call to generate large-scale, innovative solutions to our science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education challenges. Announced by President Obama at the 2013 White House Science Fair, US2020’s mission is to dramatically scale the number of STEM professionals mentoring and teaching students through hands-on projects with a focus on serving underrepresented communities -- girls, underrepresented minorities, and low-income children.Our goal is to match 1 million STEM mentors with students from kindergarten through college via youth-serving nonprofits by the year 2020, creating millions of moments of discovery -- life changing events when students conduct experiments, build model rockets, and program robots.Responsibilities:Leveraged community connections and relationships to launch new programs and strengthen our coalitionCoordinated the recruitment, screening/vetting and training for new mentors for our mentorship programsSupervising the communications and marketing via creating promotional materials and website managementDeveloped and facilitated a Computer Literacy pilot program for marginalized LGBT youth/young adults Show less

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  Philadelphia Black Pride

  Apr 2015 - Oct 2015

  Project Officer/Board of Directors

  Promoting social media marketing campaigns for organization’s events and upcoming programs. Organizing registration tables, managing guest lists. Working to evenly distribute programming and resources among all our constituents. Serving on committees, task forces and taking on special assignments such as quarterly meetings.

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  Truth In Reality

  May 2015 - Jul 2015

  Content Writer -Ad Hoc

  The mission of Truth in Reality is to change the imbalanced media depictions of women of color, especially on violent reality television. Through education, research, public awareness campaigns, social media engagement, strategic partnerships, and public commentary we aim to change society's acceptance of gender-based violence and ultimately reduce its incidence in the Black community. My position allows me to create content for blog, facilitate media literacy trainings and monitor our social media presence. Show less

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  Independence Media/MiND TV

  Jun 2015 - Jul 2015

  Production Assistant Intern (Summer)

  See Independence Media to learn more about what MiNDTV does.

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  The Womanist Working Collective

  Oct 2015 - now

  Creator/Manifester/Co-Organizer of Development + Admin

  “If Black women were free, it would mean that everyone else would have to be free since our freedom would necessitate the destruction of all the systems of oppression.” - Combahee River CollectiveThe Womanist Working Collective is a radical grassroots social action and support collective for Black folks of marginalized gender experience, specifically women (trans* and cis), femmes, and other gender expansive folx. While this language will never be enough to encapsulate all of the Black folx we center, we want to be clear that we affirm the full breadth of Black gender expansiveness and explicitly reject cissexism. Our Community of Practice unapologetically centers our Quality of Life and livelihoods through Community Organizing, Mutual Aid and Holistic Wellness.Vision1. To exist as a supportive and empowering community network to shift Black womyn & femmes in moving past merely surviving, but thriving; Prioritizing physical, emotional, moral and social safety (or using trauma-informed care practices/Healing Justice Frameworks); Centering the overall health and wellness of our members and extended community. 2. To transition ourselves and our communities into an Ecologically Just* society. This umbrella concept encompasses bringing balance to the environment(s)/ecosystems we live in, ending social inequality (racial justice, economic justice, gender justice, reproductive justice, environmental justice, etc.) and dismantling oppressive governing structures guided by Imperialist White Supremacist Capitalist CisHeteroPatriarchy.*[Ecologically Just] Ecological justice (JUSTICE BASED ON APPLIED KNOWLEDGE OF HOME) Ecological Justice is the state of balance between human communities and healthy ecosystems based on thriving, mutually beneficial relationships and participatory self-governance. We see Ecological Justice as the key frame to capture our holistic vision of a better way forward.3. Black Liberation which improves our overall society at large. Show less

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  LGBT Elders Initiative

  Sept 2016 - Apr 2017

  Advocacy & Outreach Intern

  As part of my graduate program, I was asked to complete a yearlong Field Placement internship at an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for marginalized populations.

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  Womxnist Liberation Collaborative

  Jan 2020 - now

  Worker-Owner/Producing Member

  Established in 2015, The Womanist Working Collective has been building its grassroots community solutions using a Womanist Praxis framework, community feedback and best practices rooted in equity. Our work is at a point where we need paid staff. To solve this issue, we’ve shifted a portion of our organization’s work, particularly our Political Education and community development work, into a worker-owned cooperative. In the new cooperative structure, members will make a thriving wage and also pool funds for emergency mutual aid purposes. We have been receiving co-op development training throughout Philadelphia and New Orleans for the past 7 years and we have a large network of technical support that is helping make this project a reality. Alongside this issue of growing our organization’s capacity and sustainability, we were also seeing more of our members struggling in traditional workplaces. The political education and spiritual development we provide tends to raise consciousness and make them aware of the injustices taking place in their own lives and environments. This propels them into action, seeking justice for themselves and their communities. However, Black women’s resistance is “bad for business” (read: Capitalism and White Supremacy), so they either leave their jobs voluntarily or are Pushed Out. Yet, they still have to make a living for themselves and their families, so this co-op allows them to become self-employed, while working for justice, equity and their communities. Cooperative worker-ownership removes the class-divide between the Worker and The Owner by making them the same person, so those who directly benefit from the work of the co-op are also the people making the decisions, ensuring community benefit is central and collectively managing funds so everyone has economic security. Additional benefits of this transition include cost-sharing, consent-based governance and deliberate benefit to the community. Show less

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  Flourish: A Wealth Redistribution Agency

  Sept 2021 - now

  Resource Mobilizer/Grant Writer

  On January 1, 2020, the WLC pushed to Soft Launch our cooperative enterprise by starting our cooperative study group to learn how to operate and sustain a business with shared ownership. Flourish. is a Producer of the WLC, a Black-owned nationwide, worker and producer co-op, offering equity-based cultural and community rooted solutions. Flourish. offers grant writing services for mission-aligned grassroots collectives, community organizers and small non-profits. This grant writing consultant agency is one of those small businesses owned by worker-owner: LaTierra S. Piphus​With over 8 years of grant writing experience and over $100K secured, LaTierra serves as the lead writer and consultant and business owner.WLC is a Black-owned nationwide, multi-stakeholder co-op providing a multitude of services while building a sustainable infrastructure for our members that encourages autonomy, agency and access to resources needed to support themselves and their families. We envision a world where Black womxn of the diaspora have thriving wages, all the resources that we need, and the ability to live our desired lifestyle without compromising our values and politics. We see a world where black womxn livelihoods flourish in the long term.We hope to live in a world without oppression, a society that is restorative, regenerative, and abundant. Show less

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  Gray Ink

  May 2022 - now

  Grant Writing Consultant

  I currently do grant writing and social media managing for Gray Ink.