JANAT'E "SOLAR" INGRAM - POWELL
Buffalo,NY
Summary
Community-focused program leader with senior-level experience in outreach, enrollment, retention, and partnership building. Known for developing engaging programs, coordinating staff and community events, and using clear communication to connect people with services and opportunities. Background also includes fundraising support, public-facing service, and process improvement across operations and education settings.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
LeVitt Vibe Buffalo Operations Assistant
Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy
Buffalo, NY
06.2026 - Current
- Supervised staff and vendors to ensure timely park upkeep and successful event setups.
- Monitored processes and team performance, identifying opportunities to enhance customer service.
- Resolved customer complaints in a timely manner while ensuring customer satisfaction remained at optimal levels.
- Inspected safety procedures for compliance during park operations. and resolved operational issues in public spaces.
- Oversaw inventory management of supplies for park activities., equipment, and service requests for park activities.
- Collaborated with management team to develop and implement long-term strategic plans for the organization.
- Collaborated with conservancy teams on seasonal work plans and site needs.
- Supported daily park operations across grounds, facilities, and visitor services.
- Used excellent verbal skills to engage customers in conversation and effectively determine needs and requirements.
Substitute Teacher
Buffalo Public Schools
Buffalo, NY
01.2026 - Current
- Managed student behavior and reinforced classroom expectations
- Supervised students during hallway transitions, lunch, and recess to ensure safety and adherence to school rules.
- Applied school procedures and maintained a safe learning environment
- Followed lesson plans and maintained daily learning activities
- Supported students with assignments and independent work
- Communicated with teachers and school staff about classroom needs
- Encouraged positive behavior among students through effective communication techniques.
- Assisted struggling students with classroom assignments with one-on-one tutoring.
Senior Program Director
Gloria J. Parks Community Center
Buffalo, NY
06.2025 - Current
- Program Development & Management: Design, implement, and oversee comprehensive programming for adults aged 55 and older, ensuring activities meet diverse interests and physical capabilities of participants
- Enrollment & Outreach: Developed and executed strategic enrollment campaigns that attracted new participants through community partnerships, social media, and grassroots marketing, expanding program reach.
- Retention Strategies: Implement participant retention initiatives including personalized follow-up, feedback collection, and program modifications based on member needs and preferences
- Activity Coordination: Plan and facilitate diverse programming including fitness classes, educational workshops, social events, health and wellness seminars, and recreational activities tailored to senior demographics
- Community Partnership Development: Establish and maintain relationships with local healthcare providers, senior service organizations, and community groups to enhance program offerings and referral networks
- Budget Management: Oversee program budget allocation, monitor expenses, and identify cost-effective programming solutions while maintaining quality service delivery
- Staff Coordination: Collaborate with facility staff, volunteers, and contracted instructors to ensure seamless program delivery and optimal participant experience
- Database Management: Maintain comprehensive participant records, attendance tracking, and program metrics using database systems to monitor enrollment trends and program effectiveness
- Event Planning & Execution: Organize special events, celebrations, and community engagement activities that foster social connections and celebrate program milestones
- Progress Monitoring & Reporting: Prepare regular reports on program participation, outcomes, and community impact for administrative review and grant reporting requirements
- Professional Development: Stay current with best practices in senior programming, attend relevant training sessions, and implement evidence-based approaches to enhance program quality
Host/Outreach Assistant
Buffalo Funk Fest Foundation
Buffalo, NY
06.2023 - Current
- Coordinated with staff during Buffalo Funk Fest Foundation events.
- Contacted local organizations to share event updates and volunteer needs.
- Tracked outreach responses and updated contact records for foundation use.
- Drafted clear outreach messages for nonprofit festival promotion and support.
- Provided excellent customer service by anticipating customer needs.
- Developed long-term relationships with customers to increase opportunities for repeat business.
- Collaborated with team members to complete various tasks during events.
- Directed visitors to seating, vendor, and performance spaces.
- Managed incoming calls during busy shifts.
- Provided customers with accurate wait times.
- Scheduled follow-up messages with artists, vendors, and community partners.
- Assisted with mailings, email lists, and public event announcements.
Radio Talk Show Host
Vision MultiMedia, LLC Power 96.5 FM/WUFO 1080 AM
Buffalo, NY
01.2014 - Current
- Served as the on-air host for radio programs.
- Hosted live talk segments for Power 96.5 FM and WUFO 1080 AM
- Led call-in discussions with listeners on news and community topics
- Interviewed show guests about lives, work or topics of current interest.
- Prepared interview questions for guests and community leaders
- Ad-libbed commentary for breaking stories and station updates
- Responded to listener emails and phone calls regarding questions or comments about the show.
- Promoted community events and sponsor messages across radio platforms
- Cultivated relationships with publicists, producers, and agents to secure high-profile guests for shows.
- Planned contests for listeners with many callers per contest.
- Planned shows by selecting music and topics and writing content.
- Created content for radio talk show, including scripts and outlines.
- Crafted engaging content for promotional materials.
- Organized promotional activities such as live appearances, giveaways.
- Coordinated remotes and appearances with the program director.
- Schedules and troubleshoots all station remote broadcast activity
- Coordinate on-air and web contest and prize fulfillment, along with winner database updates
- Order and inventory all station promotional merchandise
- Coordinated guest bookings with Vision MultiMedia, LLC production staff
- Monitored trends in broadcasting industry in order to remain competitive within market.
- Coordinated with advertising sales team in order to integrate commercial breaks into broadcast segments.
- Introduced fresh and new angles on previously-reported material to update and inform people.
- Recorded voiceovers for advertising spots.
- Created detailed proposals for potential clients.
- Answered phone calls from listeners to request songs or talk about current topics.
- Built relationships with sponsors to promote endorsements.
- Built relationships with sponsors to promote endorsements.
Community Outreach Specialist
LaBella Associates
Buffalo, NY
10.2022 - 01.2025
- Developed long-lasting partnerships with local leaders, management team and peers with active engagement, exemplary communication and consistent issue resolution.
- Established partnerships with organizations to enhance community support initiatives. with related organizations to develop support and gain greater attention for important issues.
- Cultivated a strong network of providers delivering necessary assistance to the Community impacted by the Re-Connection of the NYS 33 Kensington Expressway Project.
- Cultivated a strong network of stakeholders to the Re-Connection of the Humboldt Parkway community.
- Collected feedback from community members to strengthen advocacy efforts and inform program development. and support from grass-roots supporters to strengthen community advocacy efforts.
- Created comprehensive program addressing Local Hire needs to enhance employment opportunities.
- Developed presentations for public events, community groups, and school assemblies.
- Connected individuals with available and relevant resources.
Long Term Substitute - CTE Instructor
WNY Maritime Charter School
Buffalo, NY
01.2018 - 01.2021
- Create lesson plans and assignments
- Developed lesson plans to align with grade-level standards and objectives.
- Instruct students on how to develop certain skills
- Guided students in applying classroom knowledge through hands-on activities, enhancing practical understanding.
- Demonstrate and supervise safe and proper use of tools and equipment
- Monitor students' progress, assign tasks, and grade assignments
- Discuss students' progress with parents, students, and counselors
- Develop and enforce classroom rules and safety procedures.
- Upheld classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules.
- Uphold classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules.
- Maintained day-to-day classroom management and discipline to promote learning initiatives.
- Created and executed behavior management plans to support students with challenging behavior, fostering a positive learning environment.
- Documented student progress and provided regular updates to parents.
- Collaborated with parents, teachers, counselors, and administrators to address and resolve students' behavioral and academic challenges.
- Served as a substitute teacher upon multiple requests from staff due to strong performance and reliability.
- Prepared objectives and outlines for courses of study by following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.
High School Coordinate
Bryant & Stratton College
01.2011 - 01.2015
- Received award for surpassing all performance goals by 150% through effective strategies.
- Recruited and retained students through targeted outreach efforts, increasing enrollment.
- Built relationships and coordinated the enrollment process to enhance student engagement.
- Facilitated presentations at schools, businesses, and community events to promote enrollment.
- Coordinated on-campus and off-campus activities to foster community involvement.
- Establishes relationships and maintains contact with prospective students
- Conducted over 400 outbound calls, engaging 30+ contacts to support campaign objectives.
Education
Bachelor of Science - INS Curriculum Developer
Buffalo State University
Buffalo05-2021
AOS Degree - Business
Bryant & Stratton College
Buffalo, NY08-2004
Skills
- Event Planning
- Logistical Planning
- Budget Oversight
- Marketing Program Management
- Campaign Planning
- Media Planning
- Cross-Departmental Alignment
- Vendor Management
- Social Media Engagement
- Social media
- Performance Metrics Analysis
- Client Relations
- Operational Efficiency
- Operational Communication
- Program Oversight
- Task Management
- Staff supervision
- Volunteer Recruitment
- Issue resolution
- Workplace Mediation
- Written communication
- Effective Communication
- Problem Solving
- Team Training
- Outcome Assessment
- Regulatory Adherence
- Author, Cast Iron Memoir
- Google Chrome
- Microsoft Office
- Team Training
- Outcome Assessment
- Workplace Mediation
COMMUNITY SERVICE
1999, Present, Coordinates Youth Rally for Mayoral/Legislative Candidates 1999 - Current, Community Strategist (1999 - Current), Underground RailRoad Tour Guide and Documentary - The Canal '02, Stop the Violence" Documentary Participant "Lessons from Homicide, the Buffalo Story" Juneteenth Youth Committee Chair (1999 - 2017), Author/Poet, National and International Host/MC (Variety of Cities Across the Country), References upon request.
Affiliations
- Teacher of the Year, 2020
- Community Engagement Award From Buffalo State College, 2019 - 2020
- Juneteenth Festival of Buffalo Board Member, (2026 Parade Committee) 1999 - Current
- Local Promotions/Marketing Coordinator for the Universoul Circus, 2006 - 2018
- Recognized Youth Advocate in the City of Buffalo 2017
- Recognized Youth Advocate in the State of New York 2017
- MIT Graduate of Evangelism at Trinity Missionary Baptist C.O.G.I.C, 2009 - 2011 Recognized as The Communities Daughter from the Council of Elders in the City of Buffalo, NY
- City of Buffalo Artist of the Year 2025
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Successfully overcame facial injury from dog attack while maintaining active community leadership and media presence, demonstrating resilience and unwavering commitment to public service.
- Collaborated with The Buffalo Funk Fest Foundation Inc, in the development of Jefferson Ave. Friday Night Lives.
- Documented and resolved how to re-connect a traumatized community which led participants, vendors and wrap around services infusing the concept of Hip Hop 101: Community Engagement. Inclusive of Art, Music and Merchandising
Timeline
LeVitt Vibe Buffalo Operations Assistant
Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy
06.2026 - Current
Substitute Teacher
Buffalo Public Schools
01.2026 - Current
Senior Program Director
Gloria J. Parks Community Center
06.2025 - Current
Host/Outreach Assistant
Buffalo Funk Fest Foundation
06.2023 - Current
Community Outreach Specialist
LaBella Associates
10.2022 - 01.2025
Long Term Substitute - CTE Instructor
WNY Maritime Charter School
01.2018 - 01.2021
Radio Talk Show Host
Vision MultiMedia, LLC Power 96.5 FM/WUFO 1080 AM
01.2014 - Current
High School Coordinate
Bryant & Stratton College
01.2011 - 01.2015
Bachelor of Science - INS Curriculum Developer
Buffalo State University
AOS Degree - Business
Bryant & Stratton College