American University

California University of Pennsylvania

Founder & Executive Director

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Develop and oversee operations of Civic Leadership out-of-school time programs, serving 42 students weekly and community outreach efforts, reaching 1,200 District residents. Increase visibility of organization’s brand and priorities through speaking engagements, outreach events and online presence. Create and facilitate trainings for volunteers, parents, and administrators on youth development, advocacy and racial justice. Forge strategic partnerships with funders,  corporations, universities,  nonprofits and community led groups  to enhance BSA’s mission and priorities.

The Black Swan Academy

YWCA USA

Field Engagement Manager

Lead local legislative and budget advocacy efforts on senior services, housing, homelessness, workforce development, income support, substance abuse, mental health and health policies/programs. Pioneered organization’s first community engagement program  (reaching over 6,0000 clients and DC residents), aimed to give the impacted community a seat at the decision making table and foster an environment of leadership by collaborating on advocacy campaigns, holding listening sessions, planning events such as leadership trainings, issue briefings and candidates’ forums.

SOME (So Others Might Eat)

Senior Advocacy & Community Engagement Specialist

President~School of Public Affairs Graduate Council

Oversaw membership relations; recruitment, outreach and engagement of over 700 members, consisting of nonprofits, foundations and individuals in the philanthropic sector. Planned and executed webinars and events with leaders in the philanthropic and public policy sector to offer valuable insight on best strategies and practices in the philanthropic sector to members on both grant making and grant seeking.


Key Contributions
- Advocated for marginalized communities through the “Philanthropy’s Promise” campaign. -Successfully, having 125 grant makers nationally commit to move more grant dollars towards social justice and marginalized communities.
- Pioneered membership benefit program that resulted in a 80% retention rate of members and increased membership by 33%.
- Improved consistency and  content of webinars, diversified speakers and subjects to cater to multi-cultural audience which resulted in a 50% increase in participation.

National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy

Field Assistant

Developed and oversaw the operations of the Broken Windows Youth Organizing Project, which worked with low-income youth to creatively bring attention to the issue of abandoned buildings in their neighborhood and advocate to elected officials to address it.


Key Contributions
- Successfully forged mutually beneficial partnerships  with the Pittsburgh City Council, Department of Public Works, Americorps  and local NGO’s;
- Wrote grant proposals, receiving over $70,000 of funding (in-kind and monetary support);
- Recruited and worked with over 200 youth, artists and volunteers to paint murals on 200 plywood boards that were installed on the windows and doors of 90 units in low-income communities in Pittsburgh;
- Wrote press releases and engaged in several interviews conducted by local media.

Samantha Davis