Georgetown University

Member of Generation-Flux, Student of Social Change

Greater Chicago Area

The Director of Digital Strategies serves as part of the PASC (Public Affairs & Strategic Communications) Senior team that expands the growth of the Center for Popular Democracy and CPD Action, as well as build capacity to help achieve our mission of building a network wide base to 1,000,000 people by 2023.This strategist designs the CPD/A infrastructure, including digital tools and assets, to implement a strategic, network-wide digital program.This role supervises a digital team and make strategic decisions about the portfolio of digital tools and strategies to support campaign teams while building a strong, seamless ladder of engagement for the CPD/A Network and its issue campaigns against various aspects of economic inequality, structural racism, and white supremacy.The Director of Digital Strategies also works with the campaigns, advocacy, political and basebuilding teams to design and implement online organizing and outreach strategies.

Center for Popular Democracy

Director of Digital Strategies

Leveraging our passion for social justice and branding, Patterson Consulting LLC supports cause-based initiatives that fight for better lives, families, and communities. It is this experience, obsession with innovative tactics, and over 15 years of specialized knowledge that will help you achieve maximum impact for your cause.Youth Serving Non-Profit ConsultantHaving experience working in non-profits ranging from a start-up structure to a premier, industry leading national non-profit, I've acquired a unique set of skills that can prove to be beneficial to a multitude of organizations and needs. Through customized engagements, I seek to partner with organizations to accomplish organizational and program-oriented objectives including youth program planning, program design & evaluation, staff development, program management, strategic planning, youth grassroots organizing initiatives, youth & adult partnerships, & social marketing.Non-profit Branding ConsultantFrom political campaigns to start up small businesses and re-branding projects, I've been able to respond to a demand amongst a small group of contacts through graphic design, web design, and video production services. Bringing a client's vision to reality is priority; so being able to effectively connect with their priorities and ideas up front is key. ​Through a combination of relationship building with clients and content, products are created with a personal touch...kind of like an extension of the clients' own creativity.*Experienced in the Adobe Design suite and HTML coding for numerous clients, including: political candidates, start up businesses, youth serving organizations, national non-profits, and individuals.Strategic Initiative LeadHelping communities realize their potential through creative, innovated, collaborative, and empowering social impact initiatives. I provide leadership through project, partnership, and logistics management from ideation to execution.

Patterson Consulting LLC

Owner & Chief Strategist

Alternatives in Action inspires Bay Area Youth to realize their leadership potential. Each year we prepare over 1000 youth for success in college, career, and community through our high school, school-based Community Programs and Home Sweet Home Preschool.Bennie provided leadership for Alternatives in Action's community school vision by supervising staff, facilitating communication, planning services, completing reports/evaluations, and maintaining program spaces. Additionally, he implemented comprehensive programming and services to meet the needs of youth and families served by the McClymonds Youth and Family Center, while also managing a portfolio of community resources and partnerships.  Alternatives in Action operates both school-day and after-school programming and is responsible for the implementation and management of 21st Century after-school <a href="http://programming.www.alternativesinaction.org">programming.www.alternativesinaction.org</a>

Alternatives in Action

Community Programs Manager

Truth Initiative is dedicated to building a world where young people reject tobacco and anyone can quit. Located in Washington D.C., they develop programs to address the health effects of tobacco use especially among vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by the toll of tobacco through grants, technical assistance, partnerships, youth activism and counter-marketing campaigns.Bennie provided leadership to the Youth Activism department with the management and implementation of their national Truth Initiative's Youth Activism Programs. These programs focus on tobacco control initiatives through media/technology, guerrilla marketing, grassroots organizing and other tactics on a local, state, and national level. Bennie ultimately helped to guide the direction of the Youth Activism Fellowship and Youth Leadership Institute to ensure that their strategic plans were relevant and timely to today’s tobacco youth related issues. In addition, he also served as a national convener and technical assistance provider for youth-serving tobacco control professionals across the nation.Bennie brought a wealth of knowledge in the areas of youth development, project management, strategic planning, and group facilitation. He was highly regarded within Truth Initiative as the expert as it relates to youth related organizing efforts. His undeniable passion for youth and social justice is exhibited through his many outstanding achievements. <a href="http://www.truthinitiative.orgwww.thetruth.comwww.becomeanex.com">www.truthinitiative.orgwww.thetruth.comwww.becomeanex.com</a>

Truth Initiative

Manager, Youth Activism

Lead TALC New Vision’s Youth Engagement Network of more than 30 small high schools and managed its Youth Leadership Ally Program & Student Internship Program. Ensure inclusion of youth voice to Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funded schools through various activities including but not limited to: Annual Small High School Fair, structure of internship, marketing material, internal small school initiatives, etc.TALC New Vision assisted leaders creating new small schools in Milwaukee from the visioning process through the school’s opening and first two years of operation.As intermediary for “A New Vision of Secondary Education in Milwaukee,” a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, TALC New Vision connected schools, workplaces, and other community resources to improve pathways for youth to postsecondary learning, careers, and effective citizenship. TALC New Vision provided and brokered services to new school founders, convened key stakeholders under the grant, monitored fiscal responsibility, measured outcomes of the reform efforts, and promoted policies that sustain effective small school options. <a href="http://www.talcnewvision.org">www.talcnewvision.org</a>

TALC New Vision

Youth Engagement Network Director

Public Allies believe that everyone has the potential to be a leader and that communities are stronger when everyone is engaged. Each year they partner with AmeriCorps to give over 600 diverse individuals in 23 communities an opportunity to join an intensive 10-month program that starts in the fall and runs through summer. Since 1992, more than 5,400 amazing, talented, and committed leaders have changed their lives through our program.I was place at Urban Underground in Milwaukee, WI. Serving as their first Public Ally, I lead a network of high school activists that focused on education reform within their respective school communities. I completed my 10 month term and was offered a full-time position, in which I served an additional 2 years. During this time-frame, we were able to change policies at a half-dozen high schools and led the most successful city-wide rally commemorating the 50 year anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education ruling.

Public Allies

Public Ally - Class of 2003

Recruited and managed network of a half-dozen high school councils, students ages 13-18, that identified issues in their schools and assisted in empowering grassroots organizing initiatives. Provided support for 50-100 students involved in Urban Underground in their academic success. Conducted workshops in dozens of schools, community centers, and juvenile facilities.Urban Underground is promoting the next generation of leaders committed to building safe and sustainable communities. We advance our mission through youth-led social justice campaigns in the areas of health, education, public safety, and juvenile justice <a href="http://reform.www.urbanunderground.org">reform.www.urbanunderground.org</a>

Bennie Patterson