I've not only been involved in the strategic development and tactical implementation of creating an event, but also have been fully involved in the creative process that arises from creating programming - from conception through completion.

Understanding the diminishing population of African Americans in San Francisco, sf|noir was created as a personal response to a desire to see a more robust presentation of African American arts and culture in the city. I established key relationships with city officials and presented sf|noir as an important cultural asset to San Francisco and received multi-year funding from the city to establish the organization. This directive allowed me to conceive of and create innovative and timely programs and tributes working closely with amazingly talented artists from many disciplines, which included: The 85th Anniversary Celebration of Ella Fitzgerald which featured Grammy award-winner Ledisi, backed by the 15-piece Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra (short video clip of that performance at the Palace of Fine Arts, co-hosted by Kamala Harris, below). Displacement and Migration, a timely program that highlighted the effects of Hurricane Katrina to Gulf Coast residents that prompted  this response from Senator Barbara Boxer. Hip Hop: A World View included partnerships with Alliance Francaise, Istituto Italiano di Cultura, and Goethe-Institut to present a sold-out symposium on global hip-hop culture. A unique multi-day food and wine festival celebrating African American cuisine, Southern-inspired cooking and soul food, as well as showcasing African American winemakers. sf|noir's events have honored the literary legacy of June Jordan, explored the connections between Marvin Gaye and contemporary dance, highlighted the contributions of Black visual artists, and provided San Francisco students with museum tours, educational workshops, film screenings and much more. The preservation and representation of Black arts and expression are critical to maintaining San Francisco’s standing as a diverse, cosmopolitan center of culture and sf|noir has been responding to that call since 2001.