My work
Purpose and motivation that extends beyond profitability into achieving significant social value.
Engaging students in entrepreneurial activity.
2010-2013
21CYP teaches advanced technology as a path to opportunity. It is a free comprehensive program that prepares low-income middle and high school students for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) careers. The program focuses on improving skills Today (through teaching and tutoring), Tomorrow (through coaching and mentoring), and the Future (through internship placement), with an entrepreneurial focus. Key deliverables for student participants are creation of mobile apps for (Google Android, iPhone, iPad etc.), accompanying business plans, accrual of college credits and case studies on their resumes and portfolios because of hands-on tangible skills gained through internship placements. Learn more here.
Helping visionaries turn nothing into something.
2013-2018
Code Chicago was a series of hands-on, mobile development, software programming and design cohorts held in collaborative spaces in Chicago IL. and digitally through Blue Academy. Students worked with one another and joined in the spirit of collaboration and learning. It is this aspect of education that resonated most with our participants — and that with an open atmosphere where no question was off limits, we saw interesting and inspiring thinking about how to embrace the openness of technology as an opportunity palette — and to really push what might seem conventionally possible with a web browser, and a mobile device having an internet connection.
In addition to providing talented individuals with technical guidance, the program also helped build up communities in and around the Chicago area. This enlarged the market of people that can affect change and solve problems in our communities, but also come out with cool apps that solve everyday problems for everyone.
Impacting communities through education, workforce development, and technology.
2013-2018
BLUE1647(TM) was an award-winning education and technology innovation platform that fosters economic development in technology and 21st Century skills through people development (classes, workshops, and events around technology), workforce development (through youth and adult technology programs to prepare individuals for high-demand jobs) and Business Acceleration (through industry events). As a beacon of resource, BLUE1647 provided impactful individuals and students the resources to realize their ideas for a better world.
BLUE|1647 was also featured in Mayor Rahm Emmanuel's first-ever City of Chicago technology plan. Our BLUE|1647 community was a vibrant example of the ways in which creative professionals, entrepreneurs, change-makers, and nonprofits can come together to make meaningful, lasting impact.
We help couples and families change the way they work, earn, and learn to reach new levels of success.
Your Family Operating System.
We build tools and protocols to redefine what families can do together: Family Streaming Edutainment | Play2Earn | Family Wallet | Blue Studios Entertainment.More things I've worked on.
Other creative projects and experiences.
North Shore Logistics Group
NSLG was a private venture based in Chicago that I started right after High School with three friends, focused on emerging mobile technology (eCommerce), art (designer toys, art and pop culture collectibles), and Internet service industries (web design). While the organization was a side-project for all members, collectively we were able to achieve growth. I’ve worked with a stellar group of creatives. I learned to absorb new information quickly, and efficiently transfer this knowledge to launch new ideas and innovative solutions for ventures.
Academic Tutor
I have gained extensive & valuable experience working in many environments requiring daily use of teamwork with teachers, and parents. I tutored a wide variety of subjects: Literacy, Writing, Reading, Biology and Math. I helped students learn what cannot be found in a book: how to read and understand directions, how to answer their own questions, and lastly, how to grasp that success, in anything, does not come without personal responsibility. I acquired the ability to evaluate needs, and then develop plans that will spur progress and growth.
Human Resources Intern
As an intern I was exposed to various areas of Human Resources such as Compensation, Total Rewards, Talent Acquisition, HR Analytics, Talent Management, HR Administration, Leader & Organizational Development, Team Member & Workforce Development, and/or Team Member/Labor Relations.
Responsibilities:
- Assist the Director of HR with addressing day-to-day issues that require immediate attention.
- Provide assistance on navigating internal resources on self-service and Human Resources technology tools.
- Utilize procedures, policies, employee tracking systems and other reference materials to assist in answering employee inquiries and resolving issues.
- Receive and screen inquiries from telephone, on-line, and on-site customers. Assists in providing legally-sound and accurate employment information to internal and external customers.
- Complete HIPAA Awareness, Security, Privacy, Administrator and Transaction certifications.
- Assists the department in day-to-day operations as required.
- Assists with HR-related projects, new hire orientation, recruitment, employee relations, learning & development, loss prevention and all aspects of HR.
- Participate in the development of programs, processes or applications.
- Assists in managing databases and inputs information, data, and records.
Full-time student and Entrepreneur
I am a DePaul Driehaus College of Business graduate with a degree in Business Administration and Management with Entrepreneurial studies. As a student, I was a dual scholarship recipient, Tau Sigma National Honor Society member, Blueprint (Entrepreneurship Club) member, and a DePaul Business-plan Course Competition winner. As a student, I gained strong organizational skills, and managed a constructive and diverse schedule while building ventures.
Milestones
My interests are expansive, and my experiences have reflected, and will continue to reflect a commitment to: the development of ventures that is focused on the advancement of the sciences, technology, social change, education and applying the techniques and innovations of startups to make a sustainable impact.
Illinois Broadband Innovation Fund Recipient
Illinois Technology Association Gala Award Recipient (Fifty Future The Future Award)
A Gold Edison Award Recipient in Education and Curriculum
2016 Chicago Innovation Award
2016 Chicago Innovation's "50 on Fire" Civic Award.
2017 recipient of the ChicagoNEXT Award.
Gallery
A glimpse of presentations, professional talks, programs, and engaging events.
