Experience
Jan 2023-
Present
FOUNDER AND CEO
Ndeza Collective LTD
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Inspired by my Fulbright/National Geographic program, I designed, launched and now operate an app which primarily allows customers, in real time, to request services from hair braiding businesses.
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Conducted over 400 user interviews, created a pitch deck, budget, business model, and business plan
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Leading intensive Pre-Seed fundraising activities, including investor pitches
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Designed UI/UX functionality for the app
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Closely managed tech professionals in creating two iterations of the app, now supervising its regular maintenance
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Created a CRM system to translate customer sign ups to a centralized database
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Routinely writes, edits, and publishes stories of individual hair braiders listed on the app
Nairobi, Kenya
September 2022 -
June 2023
FULBRIGHT-NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC STORYTELLING FELLOW
National Geographic Society and the U.S. Department of State
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One of five global Fulbright-National Geographic scholars
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Interviewing female hairdressers about their experiences within Kenyatta Market
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Producing several vignettes for the National Geographic along with a book and website collecting all these disparate narratives
Nairobi, Kenya
June 2022-
August 2022
June 2021 -
September 2021
FEATURES INTERN
The Washington Post
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Conceived, reported and wrote stories of varying lengths on subjects ranging from the best cocktails in the D.C. area to the changing office culture for Black women as they return to work after the pandemic.
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Covered live events (ie. a Black and Latino pride rally), and helps with breaking news (ie. TikTok strike) as needed
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Spoke on BBC World Service and NPR’s Here and Now as an expert source
Washington DC
January 2021 -
June 2021
LIVING ARTS CO-OP
Boston Globe Media
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Wrote features stories for The Boston Globe
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Assisted reporters with research for longer form stories
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Worked directly with Manager, Director and VP level leadership at The Boston Globe
Boston, MA
Sept 2020 -
December 2020
EDITORIAL INTERN
5280 Magazine
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Wrote stories for 5280.com and 5280 print magazine
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Contributed research to larger stories and feature packages
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Created calendar listings for 5280.com
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Fact-checked long form feature articles
Denver, CO
July 2020 -
October 2020
SCREENWRITER
Stanford University School of Medicine
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Outlined fiction feature screenplay with Stanford surgery department about the impact of the coronavirus and the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement in the surgical field
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Conducted interviews with various faculty members of several surgery departments including Stanford, Morehouse, and University of Chicago
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Drafted screenplay and receives feedback from medical faculty
Remote
May 2020 -
Sept 2020
FREELANCE REPORTER
The Seattle Times
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Wrote long form pieces on life during coronavirus
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Conceived, pitched, and executed stories about various subjects including Juneteenth, summer camps, and a Moroccan biking race
Seattle, WA
January 2020-March 2020
RESEARCH INTERN
Black Sash
Cape Town, South Africa
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Drafted funding proposal for South African Social Security protection
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Covered minutes of Parliament meetings
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Developed educational materials
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Developed media materials
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Researched and developed a position paper on a cashless society in a rural economy
June 2019-September 2019
FEATURES INTERN
The Seattle Times
Seattle, Washington
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Wrote 26 stories of differing length and depth, covering a variety of subjects from food and drink, to arts, culture, movies, travel and outdoors.
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Contributed to coverage of the 50th anniversary of the Moon Landing
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Conceived, pitched and successfully executed enterprise stories about various subjects including online dating, boating apps and spoken word poetry.
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Covered events, and pitched in on breaking news when needed
September 2018-June 2019
SOCIAL MEDIA WRITER AND RESEARCHER
The Stanford Design School (Stanford d.school)
Stanford, CA
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Wrote numerous Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook posts for over 136,000 followers on behalf of the Stanford d.school
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Wrote articles for the d.school website
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Conducted research on the latest news, intersections, and development in the world of design
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Shadowed d.school classes and interviewed Stanford University teachers and students
July 2018-September 2018
CONGRESSIONAL INTERN
United States House of Representatives, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TX-35)
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Fielded phone calls from constituents, congressional offices, and advocacy groups
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Drafted responses for communications with constituents on behalf of the Congressman
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Met with advocacy groups and wrote detailed reports for legislative staff
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Collaborated with the communications team to propose social media posts
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Conducted research on behalf of the Chief of Staff and other staff
Washington, D.C.
Education
2017-2022
Stanford University
Bachelors of Arts
Stanford, CA
3.95 GPA Graduated with Honors.
Bachelor of Arts: Political Science
Minors: Creative Writing and African and African American Studies
Honors: Interdiscplinary project, "How to Fall Insane: a novel"
Professional skillset
Copy Editing
WordPress
Reporting
UI/UX Design
InDesign
Figma
Languages
English (native)
Swahili (intermediate)