Writing & Communications Portfolio
I have experience in everything from traditional journalism to writing within the nonprofit/high education world. Art, dining, listicles, hard news, donor profiles, impact stories, gift news — you name it, I’ve written about it. Below is a small collection of writing samples throughout my time at Saint Louis University, the Riverfront Times and Dance Advantage.
Cover STory: The making of “The Gringo”
Internet fame, hook-up culture, police brutality — these are a few of the themes examined in “The Gringo,” a St. Louis-born musical that took center stage in this Riverfront Times cover story. From the playwright’s original inspirations, to auditions, rehearsals, and interviews with people who saw the show’s big-time potential, this story follows “The Gringo” on its journey to the St. Louis’ fringe festival.
Donor Profile: Michael Jones II, Ph.D.
After a non-traditional path at Saint Louis University, this former student-athlete and founder of SLU’s Multicultural Greek Council is helping current students through their college journey.
FEature: 24 Hours in the Central West End: A Day in St. Louis' Most Cosmopolitan Neighborhood
How should an out-of-towner spend 24 hours in St. Louis? In this Riverfront Times issue, we mapped out how to spend an entire day in some of the city’s most popular neighborhoods. My story takes readers on a tour of the Central West End.
Video: We Are OneSLU
When the pandemic began, Saint Louis University immediately launched into gathering support for student emergency relief funds and vaccine research. I wrote the script for the video above, which features students, faculty and staff encouraging the SLU community to come together for the greater good even while separated by distance.
Health: How to Choose the Right Dancer Fuel
This interview with a dietician and a health coach within the dance field guides readers through deciphering nutrition labels and dancers’ unique nutrition needs.
ARts Feature: Because the fox theatre can still works miracles
Find out how St. Louis’ Fabulous Fox Theatre played a life-changing role in my path to auditioning for the Radio City Rockettes. This feature was included in the Riverfront Times Best of St. Louis issue.
arts News: Dancer shot in soulard ambush to be beneficiary of new arts festival
Follow the story of St. Louis dancer Rain Stippec and the origins of St. Louis’ CommUNITY Arts Festival, an event that gives the St. Louis arts community a platform to address violent crime in St. Louis.
Impact Story: Meet the students you support
I interviewed scholarship students from all across Saint Louis University to capture how donor support changed their lives forever.
Video: What I Do in a Day at SLU
The theme for SLU Giving Day 2021 was “All in a Day’s Work.” I led several video interviews that walked viewers through a day in the life of individual Saint Louis University students, faculty and staff so they could see how donor support impacts real people on campus every single day.
Giving News: SLU Community Gives More Than $176,000 on Giving Tuesday
As COVID-19 changed the way Billikens learn and work together, the Saint Louis University community quickly looked for new ways to contribute to the great good, including establishing an ongoing giving initiative specifically aimed at COVID-19 efforts.
Dance: Summer Intensives for the non-ballerina
Finding the right summer dance program can be difficult, especially if you’re looking for an intensive that isn’t ballet focused. In this article, I showed dance students how to begin their search.
Video: A Day at SLU That Changed My Life
I lead all communications efforts for SLU Giving Day, Saint Louis University’s annual 24-hour day of giving. All SLU Giving Days since my arrival have broken significant records. Above is one of several promotional video interviews I conducted for SLU Giving Day 2020 in accordance with the theme “What a difference a day makes.”
Gift Announcement: Alumnus’ generosity opens doors for students
Albert C. Stewart was one of the first black men to receive a doctoral degree from Saint Louis University, as well as a veteran, educator, business executive, dean and life-long activist. A new scholarship named in honor of Stewart and his wife is now opening doors for SLU students.
Travel Feature: For wine lovers, drive west to hermann
This article was part of a road trip-themed edition of the annual Riverfront Times Summer Guide. I traveled to Hermann, Mo. to find the best of what Missouri’s wine country has to offer.
Dining: 16 tiny st. louis restaurants You Should Have Tried by now
This listicle may have been have tiny restaurants, but it produced big-time pageviews. See what some of St. Louis’ smallest restaurants are serving up and why you should visit.
Dining: 20 Hidden St. Louis Patios and How to find them
This listicle was a favorite among Riverfront Times readers — and with good reason. Who wouldn’t want to spend an evening dining in one of these beautiful spaces?
Personal essay: what i learned about auditioning from the radio city rockettes
What’s it like to audition for the Radio City Rockettes? I can tell you, because I’ve experienced it firsthand. Here are the valuable lessons I learned in the process.