Editor-in-Chief at Essence Magazine

Senior Copy Director at SavagexFenty

Led the creation, editing, and refinement of strategic, multi-format content across digital, social, video, and web platforms, ensuring editorial excellence, clarity, and brand consistency. Collaborated with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to develop creative concepts and messaging strategies aligned with business objectives and audience needs. Presented editorial strategies and content recommendations to senior leadership, securing alignment and buy-in for major campaigns. Partnered with marketing and performance teams to optimize content using data-driven insights, including SEO best practices and analytics. Mentored and provided constructive feedback to creative teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. Managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to editorial standards.

Editor-in-Chief at TheRoot.com

Set editorial priorities and creative vision for a digital-first, multi-platform newsroom, driving audience growth and engagement through compelling, media-ready content. Led a team of 14 writers, editors, and content creators to produce daily articles, videos, social media posts, and newsletters, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and adherence to editorial standards. Oversaw editorial review of research reports, policy briefs, event programs, and fundraising materials, maintaining consistency and quality across all public-facing content. Developed and enforced editorial guidelines to ensure a cohesive voice and messaging strategy across platforms. Analyzed audience data, industry trends, and feedback to inform content strategy, optimize performance, and identify newsworthy story angles. Implemented SEO best practices and experimented with new content formats to enhance user experience and campaign effectiveness. Collaborated with marketing, product, and integrated teams to translate organizational objectives into creative campaigns. Oversaw moderation and curation of user comments and community engagement, ensuring adherence to editorial guidelines and fostering a respectful, informed online environment.

Editor-in-Chief at Zora Magazine at Medium

Launched and led Medium’s first owned and operated digital publication for women of color, emphasizing high-quality, engaging, and innovative multi-platform content. Recruited, mentored, and developed creative talent, building a high-performance editorial team focused on excellence and innovation. Collaborated with internal stakeholders, including product development and engineering, to drive new readership and subscriptions. Oversaw the creation, editing, and optimization of digital, social, and video content, ensuring brand consistency and strategic alignment. Managed community interactions and user-generated content, upholding platform standards and supporting a positive, inclusive community experience. Generated new tentpole and franchise ideas, resulting in multiple revenue streams across digital, social, video, live events, and e-commerce platforms. Led the development of award-winning video series, TV partnerships, podcasts, and special-interest books, enhancing brand authority and audience engagement. Managed cross-functional teams to deliver best-in-class creative execution and maximize audience reach. Drove innovation by leveraging platform trends, emerging technologies, and data-driven insights to position the brand as a digital leader. Ensured the moderation and quality of audience interactions, maintaining a high standard of community discourse and supporting the brand’s mission.