Playbook for Black Churches (Fall 2021)
The Black church has played a pivotal role in social justice and liberation movements in our country. Clergy were [...]
Shuronda Robinson has led public sector, nonprofit, and private sector communications and outreach campaigns to successful completion for nearly three decades. Shuronda is the president and CEO of Adisa Communications, an award-winning public involvement and communications firm based in Austin. She leads the Equity practice for the company and supports the facilitation of difficult conversations. She is a fourth-generation entrepreneur whose family operates an African American weekly newspaper in Houston. There, she gained a passion for communication and the power of the story. Since founding Adisa Communications in 1995, the firm has garnered a reputation for creative professionalism by providing a full spectrum of public involvement and communications services.
Favorite Travel Destination: Los Angeles
Favorite Music: R&B and Folk
Favorite Color: Charcoal Grey
Favorite Subject in School: Biology
Astrological Sign: Capricorn
Place of Birth: Champaign, IL
Hero: Mom
Favorite Food: French Fries and Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
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Julianne Gaynor has a passion for uniting communities through storytelling and has more than a decade of marketing, communications, and public relations experience. She leads client service for Adisa Communications after having worked as a journalist, in K-12 and higher education, and the non-profit sectors. She has led client programs to successful completion through teamwork, collaboration, and experience in the communications field.
Favorite Travel Destination: Anywhere with a beach
Favorite Music: Depends on my mood
Favorite Color: Lilac
Favorite Subject in School: Social Studies
Astrological Sign: Libra
Place of Birth: Stoughton, Massachusetts
Hero: My Dad
Favorite Food: Spicy Indian Food
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
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Dorcaus Ellis joins the Adisa Team, bringing a wealth of experience in research, writing and urban planning. She is highly skilled in relationship development and community relations. Dorcaus holds a Juris Doctorate from Arizona Summit School of Law. She also attended Texas Southern University for a Master’s in Urban Planning and Environmental Policy with a focus on Transportation. She is certified in the public involvement method known as “the Bleiker method” where she helps clients achieve informed consent. She has worked on local and statewide engagement projects including the American Heart Association campaign to create safe indoor air workplaces.
Dorcaus is the mother of three boys, and she is committed to serving disadvantaged populations and bridging the gap to resources which create societal and financial stability.
About Dorcaus
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Subject in School: History
Favorite Music: R&B
Favorite Travel Destination: St. Lucia
Astrological Sing: Scorpio
Place of Birth: Champaign-Urban, Ill.
Hero: My mother
Favorite Food: Steak
Pronouns: she/her
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While studying mass communications and editorial photojournalism in school, Naiya earned a position as a project assistant for Adisa Communications. Through this organization, she has developed skills in community relations, communication pathways, strategy development, and market research. She is a strong writer, developing high-level content for multiple institutions. She enjoys shaping ideas into real-life stories to reach and inform all-inclusive audiences. Naiya is able to adapt to any climate, bringing energy and vibrancy to every project she supports.
About Naiya
Favorite Color: Navy Blue
Favorite Subject in School: Science and Art
Favorite Music: R&B
Favorite Travel Destination: Vieques, Puerto Rico
Astrological Sign: Aquarius
Place of Birth: Chandler, AZ
Hero: My grandmother, Harriet
Favorite Food: Frozen mangoes
Pronoun: she/her/her
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Dan Arguijo is a highly respected marketing and communication professional with over 25 years of experience in the public and private sectors. He has worked for Fortune 500 companies and small to medium-sized technology companies, developing and executing media crisis, marketing, and communication plans to protect an organization's brand before, during, and after a crisis. Arguijo served as Chief Communication Officer for the Houston Community College, where he increased student enrollment by 50% and managed the institution's 25-person communications department. He also served as Public Affairs Director and Chief Information Officer for the City of Austin Water Utility, where he led the organization through a well-publicized media crisis.
Arguijo's extensive marketing and communications work has earned him recognition on local, state, national, and international levels, including awards such as the "21st Century Most Promising Leader" Award from the Dallas Urban League, the Cox Enterprises Inc. Communications National Impact Award, and the National Council on Marketing and Public Relations Regional Medallion and National Paragon Award. He has served on several boards and committees for four Dallas mayors and one Houston Mayor and was a member of the North American Free Trade Agreement subcommittee. Arguijo earned a bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Texas RGV.
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Joilynn Green is a Project Assistant at Adisa Communications. She specializes in event planning and logistics. In her spare time, she freelances as a theatre director and stage manager. She enjoys developing new plays and finding immersive, unconventional ways to bring stories to life. Joilynn has enjoyed working with the Vortex Repertory Company, New Manifest Theatre Company, Spectrum Theatre, and Austin Shakespeare.
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Angie Posada is a descendant of Venezuelan and Colombian families and has been an honorary Texan since she was 11 years old. Angie grew up outside of Houston (in Katy) and later went on to study Public Relations and Advertising at Texas State University in San Marcos. After falling in love with the hill country and getting her career started in the marketing side of the AEC industry, she moved to Austin and became a CASA volunteer. For the past five years, she has explored the city and found herself a thorough guide of all things; food, fun, and nature. The art and music scene is important to her and fuels a creativity that she brings to her work. Angie finds inspiration when supporting communication and empathy in all team settings and adds her Spanish heritage to an already diverse workplace. With over 6 years of PR experience and different levels of community outreach projects, she is thrilled to contribute locally through Adisa Communications.
Favorite Quote: “You can do it like it’s a great weight on you, or you can do it like a dance.” – Ram Dass
Favorite Travel Destination: Mexico <3
Favorite Music: I am very experimental with my taste, but I will always have a soft spot for shoegaze and dreampop, though I am in a nightcore phase right now.
Favorite Color: Earthy tones
Favorite Subject in School: Language Arts
Astrological Sign: Scorpio
Place of Birth: Venezuela
Hero: Sister; Gaby Posada
Favorite Food: Chicken Garbanzo Avo Ricebowl
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
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Ashleigh Hamilton is an east Austin native and mother of two children. Ashleigh is a pillar in her community and continues her family’s legacy in transformative justice here in Austin. Ashleigh has more than 15 years of experience working with diverse communities and serves on several local boards and initiatives. Ashleigh has developed a strong network of volunteers, activists, and organizations to further social justice. Ashleigh also leads workshops and events to educate the public on the importance of social and racial justice. During that time, Ashleigh worked in the healthcare and nonprofit sectors, addressing health disparities in the same community she grew up in. Ashleigh’s passion lies in building community-led solutions to systemic problems. Ashleigh has been at the forefront of many crucial racial justice campaigns in Austin. She has also been a leading voice calling for police accountability and an end to police brutality. The community has recognized her for her leadership. Most recently, being acknowledged by the Austin NAACP, awarding Ashleigh the Outstanding Community Spirit Award. She is an excellent communicator and collaborator and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role.
Quote: "The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." -Alice Walker
Favorite Travel Destination: Africa (Manifestation in progress)
Favorite Music: 80’s & 90’s R&B and Hip Hop
Favorite Color: Yellow
Favorite Subject in School: English
Astrological Sign: Gemini
Place of Birth: Austin, TX
Hero: My grandmother, Jeri Baylor
Favorite Food: Tie between Mexican Food and Soul Food
Pronouns: She/ Her/ Hers
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Millie Williams’ work as a social justice mobilizer has evolved to the pursuit of systemic change. She earned a Master of Theology from Emory University while also devoting her time to national Get-Out-The-Vote movements. Millie has worked in government and community. These experiences have given her a unique commitment to encouraging and inspiring leaders to operate with an equity lens. Millie has collaborated with civil rights leaders, government officials, community leaders, neighbors, clergy, and entrepreneurs to address the social, economic, environmental, and human rights injustices plaguing communities of color.
Favorite Travel Destination: Africa
Favorite Music: Reggae
Favorite Color: Purple
Favorite Subject in School: History
Astrological Sign: Sagittarius
Place of Birth: Galveston Island
Hero: Leathie Young Williams
Favorite Food: Texas Brisket
Pronouns: Princess, she, her, hers
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Cliffton Styles is a veteran of the US Air Force and US Army, having served honorably for 17 years and been deployed three times to Iraq. He is also a devoted husband and father of four. Cliffton is a natural at customer service and enjoys the companionship of others. In his spare time, Cliffton dedicates his energy to his community, contributing to its betterment whenever possible. Cliffton is excited to join Adisa Communications as Program Manager for Outreach, ready to bring his experience and passion to the role. He holds a Bachelor's degree from Huston Tillotson University and has held positions with Workforce Solutions Capitol Area and Airport Guest Services with the City of Austin
Favorite Subject in School: Math
Favorite Travel Destination: A Chicago Bears home game, and the win.
Astrological Sign: Pisces
Place of Birth: Germany
Hero: Marcus Garvey
Favorite Food: Jimmy Red Hot Dog all the way.
Pronouns: he/him/his
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Troy Nalls is a renowned celebrity video marketing strategist who has worked with some of the most respected names in the entertainment industry, including Rickey Smiley, Deion Sanders, and Fred Hammond. With over a decade of experience, Troy has become a "secret weapon" in the industry, leveraging social media to connect with millions of people.
Troy specializes in creating compelling marketing and promotional content that deeply connects with audiences. He captures the personality and message of each client, creating content that is both heard and felt. His proven and bankable "sellable storytelling" video marketing strategies have helped speakers, thought leaders, entertainers, entrepreneurs, organizations, and athletes connect emotionally through video.
Troy's creed is to help his clients' audiences "buy in" to their story so they can "buy from" them. With his passion for creating compelling content and his ability to connect with audiences on a deeper level, Troy Nalls is a visionary marketer who has helped many celebrities, organizations, and brands achieve their goals through innovative video marketing strategies.
Favorite quote is: "Say what you mean...just don't say it mean" - Jerome D. Johnson
Favorite Music: 80’s R&B 90’s Hip Hop
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Subject in School: History
Astrological Sign: Capricorn
Place of Birth: Guam
Hero: Bob Kersee
Favorite Food: Thai
Pronouns: OG
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Brittney Hunter is native to Montgomery, Al and moved to Dallas, TX in March of 2018. She enjoys spending time with her family, especially her niece and nephew. She dedicates time to participating in church volunteer events, services, and working with youth groups. Brittney has more than 15 years of experience in administrative support. She has supported small business teams of 10 people to corporate companies approx. 300+. She has enjoyed working in the real estate, technology, manufacturing, and healthcare industries. With that, she brings generous knowledge base administratively: from supporting CEOs to engineers, HR, Sales, and other teams while catering to each team uniquely. Brittney is excited to join Adisa Communications as Office Manager, utilizing her experience to help excel Adisa to new heights.
Favorite Quote: The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing- Bishop Jakes
Favorite Travel Destination: Africa and Italy (Dreams to reality…coming sooner than later)
Favorite Music: Gospel, R&B, and Country
Favorite Color: Olive
Favorite Subject in School: Math
Astrological Sign: Virgo
Place of Birth: Montgomery, AL
Hero: Jesus
Favorite Food: Pepperoni Pizza
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
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