True Chicago
Social Media Management | Email Marketing | Copywriting | Media Strategy
True Chicago is a Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering the next generation of creative leaders through mentorship, access, and community investment. Founded in 2017 by David Johnson, True Chicago was built on the belief that when artists share their knowledge and time, they create real pathways for growth—not just for individuals, but for entire communities. By fostering meaningful connections between emerging talent and seasoned professionals, True Chicago helps bridge the opportunity gap that many Black and Brown youth face in the creative industry.
I partnered with True Chicago to support their mission by leading communications and brand storytelling for the 2024 True Chicago Conference—an annual event designed to inspire and equip young artists with the tools they need to thrive. As Communications Director, I was responsible for developing a full-scale communications plan that included email marketing, audience segmentation, press outreach, and social media content strategy. I worked closely with internal teams and external partners to ensure our messaging authentically reflected the experiences and ambitions of our audience, while elevating the visibility of the organization’s mission and long-term impact.
In addition to leading the overall communications strategy, I helped craft key messaging pillars that aligned with the event theme, “Your Time is Now.” I also developed a multi-phase email series tailored to different audience groups—students, creatives, educators, community leaders, and sponsors—to drive engagement and attendance. On the day of the conference, I oversaw content capture and real-time communications, ensuring that the energy and insights of the day could be extended beyond the event and into True Chicago’s year-round storytelling.
Account Management
In my role as an account manager, I served as the primary liaison between clients and internal teams—ensuring clear communication, timely feedback, and alignment across all phases of a project. I managed expectations, facilitated decision-making, and kept stakeholders informed while driving project goals forward. My approach balanced strategic oversight with hands-on execution, allowing me to build strong client relationships and deliver high-quality outcomes on time and within scope.
Project Management
In this role, I oversaw key operational processes to ensure projects ran smoothly and efficiently from start to finish. I managed vendor relationships, tracked budgets, and coordinated purchase orders and invoicing in alignment with contract terms and timelines. By proactively identifying issues and collaborating closely with the finance team, I ensured seamless execution and financial accountability across all phases of the project.
Goal:
Serve as the Account and Project Manager for The Field Museum x KNDRD partnership by overseeing all aspects of the Culture Council initiative—including timeline management, stakeholder communications, session facilitation, and vendor coordination. Ensure insights from the Black Chicagoan community were captured, synthesized, and translated into actionable recommendations to guide the museum’s communications strategy for the African Fashion exhibit and future African Hall launch.
Results:
Secured to media spots: one on CBS News and WGN-TV Spotlight Chicago
180 attendees joined
increased IG followers by x%
increased email open rate x%
Led the development and facilitation of a Black-led Culture Council that informed The Field Museum’s approach to inclusive marketing and community engagement. Consolidated feedback into a key insights deck, with recommendations spanning digital storytelling and local partnerships. One such activation included a creative workshop series led by Chelsea B., a Chicago-based fiber artist, engaging community members in crochet as a way to promote the exhibit and foster cultural connection. Sessions were fully attended and well-received, reinforcing the museum’s commitment to authentic, community-rooted programming.
Lead communications strategy for True Chicago’s annual conference, shaping brand storytelling and audience engagement to amplify its mission of mentorship and creative access for young Black and Brown creatives.