Dennis Black
Detroit,MI
Summary
Diligent political director with strong background in financial management and strategic planning. Successfully led financial transformations and optimized budgeting processes. Demonstrated expertise in financial analysis and team leadership.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Finance Director
Ted Jones for State Senate
02.2026 - Current
- Creation and client approval of 2026 fundraising plan for a $250,000 budget.
- Prospecting and formation of a fundraising committee, consisting of bundler's with a responsibility of $25,000 per committee member.
- Responsible for campaign finance compliance.
- Manage call time with client for 10 hours a week with a daily minimum daily asks of $10,000.
- Developed client-approved candidate prospectus detailing pathway to victory.
- Donor stewardship, directly facilitates the contribution upon a hard pledge.
- Slow rollout of the fundraising software Numero, and CallTime AI;prioritizing best practices and developing culture and discipline of call time sessions.
- Designed custom Actblue forms for unique stakeholder engagement, significantly improving conversion.
Co-Executive Director
Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition
04.2025 - 02.2026
- Closed a three-year-long bargaining negotiation leading to the ratification of the inaugural bargaining agreement with the employee union.
- Facilitated fund development for strategic programmatic goals. Developed an integrated strategy with program directors and development staff to scale up organizational impact.
- Managed 501c(4) compliance; bringing three years of outstanding 990's to a unanimously agreed upon board resolution, dissolving the 501c(4) and reducing risk to sibling organization.
- Led a 6 month conflict resolution and mediation process between staff,management, and board of directors.
- Authored and successfully submitted over $750,000 LOI's that aligned with organizational programmatic priorities.
- Promoted transparency by maintaining clear lines of communication with board members, funders, partners, and staff regarding organizational activities and financial status.
- Maintained strategic alliances with partners, individuals and organizations that advocated and advanced vision.
- Established partnerships with community organizations and stakeholders to enhance program reach and impact.
- Michigan Public Leadership Academy - 2025 Ready To ED Cohort
Political Director
Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition
04.2024 - 02.2026
- Ensured compliance with all relevant regulations governing political campaigns at local, state, and federal levels.
- Managed four full-time organizers, and 1-3 seasonal contractors to succeed in meeting deliverables for restricted purpose grants.
- Hired three full time union staff using best practices in talent recruitment.
- Created and managed expenses under budget for two years
- Led 501c(4) sponsored activities for rapid response to high-impact state policies.
- Coordinated the graphic design, printing, and targeted mailing using VAN of 75,000 rapid response calls to action for the Michigan Public Service Commission.
- Expert at pivoting primary purpose canvassing to rapid response community policy interventions
- Launched, managed, and submitted 40% more valid signatures for a ballot referendum to repeal the zoning of a $2.4 billion data center in Augusta Township, Washtenaw County.
- Coordinated internally amongst departments for buy-in and input to create an inclusive atmosphere for the small 15-person staff.
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Field Director
Michigan Liberation, Michigan
06.2022 - 01.2023
- Scheduled and executed $1.2 million voter contact program operations, successfully executing door, phone, direct mail, and digital ad operations
- Directed execution of 1,672,177 targeted voter attempts
- Coordinated with organizers to integrate policy solutions for local issues
- Manage and approve payroll for 36 employees
- Provides reporting to executive director and national partners on program success
- Prepare daily IE campaign finance requirements
- Responsible for narrative development, design, and purchasing for necessary statewide operations
- Monitored overhead, prepared budgets and directed spending and resources to support fiscal efficiency
Chief of Staff
City Of Inkster
11.2019 - 10.2020
- Authored and submitted approximately $3.4 million in federal and state grant reimbursements
- Authored FY 20' - FY 21' Mayors Budget, and suggested increases in revenue through non-residential taxes and fees with six figure projections
- Performed critical tasks related to COVID response via coordination with Wayne
- County government
- Provided crisis response for City of Inkster, and mayors office
- Conducted weekly fiscal analysis with city finance services
- Facilitated successful communication with city hall and city council
- Authored, and properly disseminated RFQ's and RFP's for city development and services
- Liaise with department leaders, administrative officers, state and federal government for project management
- Draft ordinances and resolutions for review
- Coordinate with MSHDA and Inkster Housing Commission to bottom line improving quality of life of all public housing residents.
- Supervised staff and participated in hiring, training and performance evaluations to establish and enforce policies and procedures for business functions
Data Director
Michigan People's Campaign
08.2018 - 01.2019
- Managed and reported on statewide voter contact operations
- Co-managed team of 45 employee canvassers
- Demonstrated proficiency in SQL; preferred environment Microsoft SQL Server
- Responsible for Daily and Weekly Reporting of Campaign Operations
- Provided Data Insights to Streamline Operations
- Simultaneously Managed Field Operations and Daily Data Management
- Provided CRM and Reporting Training for 50+ Employees
- Lead Data Migration of 50,000 Contacts from EveryAction CRM to VoteBuilder CRM
- Provided Key Insights to Strengthen Donor Relations and Fundraising Development
Policy Analyst
City Of Detroit
08.2014 - 02.2017
- Submitted weekly communication to Clerks office for agenda setting pursuant to Michigan's Open Meeting Act and principles agenda
- Communicated with city department administrators to bottom line success related to committee assignments and principles agenda
- Provided fiscal analysis for proposed ordinances, corresponding with state analysis
- Maintained analog index of all material related to committee assignments and financial status of city
- In depth proficiency of Detroit's General Fund, revenue, expenses, liabilities
- Helped conceive and oversee grassroots support or opposition for proposed changes
School Director of Policy Debate
High, University Prep School District
09.2010 - 05.2018
- Established inaugural debate team in University Prep School District
- Coached University Prep Detroit High School to Win National Policy Debate Championship
- Ranked 3rd Overall Team in Country of Approximately 6,000 competitors.
- Responsible for Over $250,000 in Debate Scholarships for Graduating Students
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI12-2015
Skills
- Input
- Arranger
- Belief
- Learner
- Analytical
Timeline
Finance Director
Ted Jones for State Senate
02.2026 - Current
Co-Executive Director
Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition
04.2025 - 02.2026
Political Director
Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition
04.2024 - 02.2026
Field Director
Michigan Liberation, Michigan
06.2022 - 01.2023
Chief of Staff
City Of Inkster
11.2019 - 10.2020
Data Director
Michigan People's Campaign
08.2018 - 01.2019
Policy Analyst
City Of Detroit
08.2014 - 02.2017
School Director of Policy Debate
High, University Prep School District
09.2010 - 05.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Wayne State University