Bringing 20+ years of experience at communications and marketing firms, nonprofits, school districts and television stations across the country and overseas, Heather Hopson uses traditional and modern media to develop and implement large-scale, proven strategies.
Heather obtained a B.A. in Journalism from Michigan State University and a Standard Professional Teaching Certificate in English from the Maryland Department of Education. She is also a proud graduate of Leadership Pittsburgh, LDI XXIV. To give back to the community, Heather serves on several advisory committees and is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Connect with Heather on LinkedIn
Bringing 20+ years of exceeding sales goals at Fortune 500 companies, including Coca-Cola, Verizon and Yellow Pages, Farah Middleton launches and leverages successful sales and marketing campaigns. She drives business growth and strengthens relationships with both customers and contractors. Farah obtained a B.A. in Communication from the University of Pittsburgh.
Bringing 30+ years of project management experience at private and public sector organizations, Sonya Singleton possesses operational precision, business acumen, problem-solving, and analytical skills. She is the ultimate integrator, laying a strong foundation to execute the customer’s vision. Sonya obtained a B.S. in Administration from Penn State University.
Bringing 20+ years of accounts payable and office management experience at Thermal Industries and Kerotest Manufacturing, Fawn Washington ensures operations run smoothly. Fawn graduated from the Western School of Health and Business Careers. To give back to the community, she co-founded Free Store Penn Hills, a consignment store minus price tags serving those in need.
Bringing 20+ years of project management experience to the job, James Middleton exceeds strategic goals for operational efficiency and increased productivity. Currently, James serves as a director at A Second Chance, Inc. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, James attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania and later operated an auto body shop and an office cleaning business.
Bringing nearly a decade of experience at top creative agencies throughout Pittsburgh, Jac Wynn serves as the lead website and app developer at Motor Mouth Multimedia. Jac designs, manages and grows customer’s online presence using various platform, such as iOS, WordPress & PHP, Front End and Back End. In addition to development, Jac strategically devises effective user experiences and configures servers for the best performance and security. Jac obtained a degree in computer science from CCAC.
Bringing 20+ years of translating ideas into designs for a wide range of marketing and informational materials, Chris Brown knows how to successfully interpret the visual branding needs of customers. Currently, he is the owner of Brown Bomber Designs, where he brings campaigns to life for private and public sectors alike. Before starting his business, Chris worked as a S.T.E.M. instructor and delivered instruction for robotics, engineering and 3D design/printing classes. Chris attended LaRoche College.
Bringing more than 20+ years of photography experience to shoots, Monica Godfrey captures everything from perfect portraits and product shots to editorial images and corporate events. To give back to the community, Monica serves on the Bike PGH Board of Directors and founded the national non-profit Black Girls Do Bike Inc., which was recently featured in a Ford Bronco Sport campaign and secured sponsorships from Ford, Trek Bikes and Weight Watchers. Monica obtained a B.S. in Business Administration and Management from Robert Morris University.
Bringing 20+ years of experience in theater, writing, photography and film, Corey Lankford uses media to connect to audiences. He serves as the CEO of Cwlcreatives LLC, offering film, photography and music services. Recently, he produced Hellway To Heaven; a sold-out, live theatrical tour. Corey obtained a B.A. in Communications from Geneva College.
Through a multicultural marketing lens, Shanell Lamere helps clients see all audiences, elevate diverse voices and promote positive images, specifically of Black and marginalized communities. Holding dual Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Sociology from The University of Pittsburgh, Shanell combines her academic understanding of human behavior with her passion for visual storytelling. This unique background enhances her ability to capture profound stories that resonate deeply with audiences. Shanell is committed to using her lens to celebrate and amplify voices, creating narratives that foster understanding and connection.
Bringing 25+ years of radio, television and video production experience, TeeJay Johnson takes a unique approach to each project. TeeJay captures customers’ messages and captivates their audiences through commercials, PSAs, documentaries, animations and more. Currently, he is the president and CEO of TeeJay Vision, LLC. TeeJay attended the University of Pittsburgh.
Bringing 15+ years of experience to the film, video production and entertainment industry, Jay White looks through a multicultural marketing lens and affirms that the camera saved his life. He believes that the best way to serve the community is to capture its beauty through film. He has produced seven documentaries, five short films and one feature film.
Bringing 20+ years of experience, including serving as the co-founder and social justice facilitator at Walk the Talk PGH and coordinator of the Pittsburgh Summit Against Racism, Yvette Shipman helps advance customers’ DEI goals. Yvette has also served as a project director at an award-winning creative agency in Pittsburgh. Yvette obtained an M.A. in Social and Public Policy from Duquesne University and a B.A. in Mass Communications from the University of the District of Columbia. She also completed the CORO Women in Leadership program.
Bringing 15 years of crafting and managing multimedia and fine art campaigns for major brands, Kyle Barnes blends innovation with practicality, on time and on budget. Currently, he is the owner of Urban Ad Shop, which has received countless awards, including the Gold Paragon Award, a National Council for Marketing & Public Relations Award, a Silver Addy and Midwestern American Advertising Awards. Kyle obtained a B.A. in Advertising.
Bringing 25+ years of experience to design jobs, Robert looks through a fine arts lens to conceptualize marketing materials from concept through completion. His work has increased sales and traffic to corporate and nonprofit organizations. Robert obtained a B.A. in Studio Art from Michigan State University.
A recent graduate of Michigan State University, Armani McKalpain brings a fresh, vibrant view to graphic design products. Formerly the director of advertising for the Michigan State University Residence Halls Association and student designer for Michigan State University’s Athletic Department, Armani continues to refine and develop core design skills of composition, typography, balance, and color theory.
Bringing 6+ years of administrative, event coordination, social media management and project management experience, Amina assembles the right-sized team for efficiency, effectiveness and innovation. Amina currently owns and operates Pure Vision Events, which flawlessly facilitates personal and corporate events. Amina obtained a B.A. in Communication from Michigan State University.
Bringing 15+ years of strategic marketing and event planning experience, Regina has a proven track record of impressing clients with optimal results from planning to implementation to analysis. Regina has served in various communications capacities at major companies, such as HarperCollins Publishing and Meijer Inc. Regina holds a B.A. in Marketing from Michigan State University and an M.B.A. in Strategic Management Specialty from Davenport University.
Bringing 10+ years of advocating for community partnerships, Ashley Jackson amplifies voices of marginalized people. A strong researcher with great attention to detail, Ashley is a skilled writer and the owner of Soul Write. Ashley obtained a B.A. in Family Community Services from Michigan State University, an M.A. in Educational Psychology from Eastern Michigan University and a Master of Library and Information Science from Wayne State University.
Bringing 15+ years of marketing and communications experience at nonprofits, financial institutions, and corporations, Gia Maxwell uses creative storytelling to help clients craft a clear marketing message and hold meaningful conversations with their target audiences. Recently, Gia served as the director of communications at One Detroit Credit Union, where she translated complex financial terms into easily understood information. Gia holds a B.A. in Film and Video from Michigan State University.
Bringing more than 15+ years of business and event management to the job, Janica Smith develops successful strategies to execute events and maximize account profitability. Janica has served in new market development and sales roles at Tumi and Kenneth Cole. Currently, she is the owner of Janna Kay. Janica obtained a B.A. in Apparel, Textile and Merchandising from Eastern Michigan UniversityEastern Michigan University.
Bringing 20+ years of experience in human resources and labor relations at companies such as Asurion, General Electric and Pepsi, Bernadette Hudgins helps form productive teams. She has honed her goal-setting and HR skills to assist older adults through her company Golden Connections. Bernadette obtained a B.S. in Human Ecology and an M.S. in Human Resources and Labor Relations and has received Society for Human Resource Management Certification.
With 20+ years as a marketing coordinator in the sports and entertainment industry, Rebekka Hughes has transferred her skills into the mental health field. Rebekka is the founder of CGL Wellness Group, LLC, director at large for the Michigan Play Therapy Association, and graduate of The Association for Play Therapy Leadership Academy. Rebekka obtained a B.A. in Communications from Michigan State University, an M.A. in Human Services and an M.A in Professional Counseling from Liberty University.
Bringing 20+ years of sales and marketing experience to the job, Melissa Jackson, better known as MJ, combines her creative talents and business acumen to create award-winning campaigns. Looking through the lens of a skilled writer and organized project manager, MJ develops successful communication and marketing strategies to connect clients to customers. She has produced content for major companies, such as Kellogg’s, Striderite, and Walmart. MJ holds a Master of Science in Telecommunications and Information Management from New York University (NYU) and a B.S. in Organizational Management from The State University of New York (SUNY). MJ is currently based in the Metro Atlanta area.
Bringing several years of photography experience, including real estate and documentary photography, Lindsay B. Garvin is committed to increasing the visibility of important issues and promoting positive images of people of color. Lindsay obtained a B.A. in Business Administration from Central Pennsylvania College. Additionally, Lindsay has received the Excellence in Community Engagement, Rising Star photography award and contributed to Stand Up, the Black Women Art Gallery Display highlighting the George Floyd protest in Pittsburgh. Lindsay is currently based in Nashville, TN.