Kalimah A. Priforce
Emeryville,CA
Summary
Globally recognized mission-driven movement builder, serial entrepreneur, and executive leader with nearly 30 years of leveraging technology, storytelling, and non-profit and business strategy to turn bold ideas into measurable impact, mobilize communities, and expanding opportunities for the economic and politically marginalized.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Councilmember
City of Emeryville
12.2022 - Current
- Create, propose, and review municipal policies for a city of 12k+ with an annual budget of 100M.
National Advisory Member
Forward Promise
03.2017 - Current
- Advise nonprofit funder through grantee review and site visits to distribute 7mil in grants and technical assistance to 18 youth-serving organizations.
Hacktivist CEO & Co-Founder
Qeyno Labs
02.2008 - 07.2019
- Bootstrapped a minority-led ed-tech startup to become a 10mil annual hacktivist think tank serving 4000+ youth globally and recruiting 15 hacktivist fellows to create the modern 'Learn To Code' STE(A)M movement.
Educator-in-Residence & Co-Founder
The Hidden Genius Project
10.2012 - 02.2014
- Joined founding team to launch Oakland-based nonprofit that has trained 500+ Black male youth across six cities with 2mil annual budget in technology creation, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills.
Dancerpreneur
ProBailbonds
01.2005 - 02.2008
- Provided accessible ballroom classes for under-represented beginner dancers with 5 clientele serving 100 students annually.
Curriculum Specialist & Sunday School Teacher
Chan Meditation Center (法鼓山)
01.2005 - 01.2007
- Produced weekly lessons to 200+ youth ages 10 through 16 based on Buddhist philosophy and distributed globally by Taiwanese-based Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association.
Business Strategist
Meet Hennessy USA
02.2001 - 07.2004
- Co-designed 1.8bil M&A corporate reimagining strategy for Scheifelin & Somerset as DIAGEO consumed and foresaw the company’s join with JWII before moving over to multicultural marketing to sponsor 60+ cultural events.
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Thurgood Marshall Club of America
11.2002 - 04.2004
- Facilitated a joint-venture between Gallup Organization and Thurgood Marshall Fund to develop leadership centers on 45+ HBCU campuses utilizing Gallup Strengthsquest curriculum.
Program Assistant
Women's Venture Capital Fund
02.2001 - 12.2002
- Restructured database entry system as Public Allies inaugural fellow while compiling, reviewing, and advising 30+ business plans of low-opportunity minority women entrepreneurs applying for 10k micro-loan grants.
Founder & CEO
Whizz Kidd Computer Services
06.1996 - 08.2000
- Established an affordable, cost-effective IT support network spanning 200+ businesses offices, schools, and residences serving 10k users.
Information Technology Specialist
NYC Human Resources Administration
10.1998 - 10.1999
- Built help desk to process 5k+ monthly technical repair requests for the Management Information Systems division of the city of New York.
Information Technology Consultant
Custom Computer Specialists
07.1996 - 08.1997
- Networked, installed, programmed, and provided troubleshooting assistance for 13,500 computers in over 3500 classrooms for 'Project Smart Schools' giving nearly 100,000 NYC students access to modern technology.
Education
USC Sol Price School of Public Policy -
USC Sol Price School of Public Policy
01.2023
Bachelor of Arts - Global Business Strategy (Minor in Urban Youth Studies)
The City University of New York (CUNY BA)
01.2006
Skills
- Community engagement
- Collaborative mindset
- Influencing skills
- Technological proficiency
Accomplishments
40 Under 40: Tech Diversity – Silicon Valley theREGISTRY Bay Area
Sep. 2015
Innovative Newcomer Oakland Indie Award May 2015
Top Ten Black Innovator Awards of 2015 at SXSW MVMT50
Mar. 2015
Champion of Change (STEM Access & Diversity) The White House; Pres. Obama Administration Feb. 2013
Choice Award
Oakland Unified School District
Jun. 2013
Awards
40 Under 40: Tech Diversity – Silicon Valley theREGISTRY Bay Area Sep. 2015, Innovative Newcomer Oakland Indie Awards May 2015, Top Ten Black Innovator Awards of 2015 at SXSW MVMT50 Mar. 2015, Champion of Change (STEM Access & Diversity) The White House; Pres. Obama Administration Feb. 2013, Choice Award Oakland Unified School District Jun. 2013
Publications
- Don’t Blame Alameda County DA Price for crime. Why it’s not her fault San Francisco Chronicle, Aug. 9, 2023
- Racism to Blame, Not Affinity Groups, for Lack of Minorities in Tech Huffington Post, Mar. 23, 2012
- Startup America Needs to Look More Like America (republished, orig. 2011) The Good Men Project, May 11, 2013
- An Open Letter to Kelly Williams-Bolar: My Rosa Parks, My Harriet Tubman Oakland Local, Feb. 1, 2011
Personality Type
- Meyer Briggs: ENFP
- Enneagram: 7w8 (Social Subtype)
- Gallup Strengthsfinder: Command, Maximizer, Strategic, Arranger, Communication
Fellowships
- NBCUniversal Fellow Millennial Trains Projects May 2015
- The College Board Professional Fellowship The College Board Jul. 2014
- Senior Fellow Dream.org Feb. 2014
- Black Male Achievement Fellowship Echoing Green Jun. 2013
Media
- Teached: Code Oakland Documentary Joulesager Films, 2015
- Swimming In Their Genius Documentary NBCSN Shorts, 2014
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Chinese (Mandarin)
Limited Working
Timeline
Councilmember
City of Emeryville
12.2022 - Current
National Advisory Member
Forward Promise
03.2017 - Current
Educator-in-Residence & Co-Founder
The Hidden Genius Project
10.2012 - 02.2014
Hacktivist CEO & Co-Founder
Qeyno Labs
02.2008 - 07.2019
Dancerpreneur
ProBailbonds
01.2005 - 02.2008
Curriculum Specialist & Sunday School Teacher
Chan Meditation Center (法鼓山)
01.2005 - 01.2007
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Thurgood Marshall Club of America
11.2002 - 04.2004
Business Strategist
Meet Hennessy USA
02.2001 - 07.2004
Program Assistant
Women's Venture Capital Fund
02.2001 - 12.2002
Information Technology Specialist
NYC Human Resources Administration
10.1998 - 10.1999
Information Technology Consultant
Custom Computer Specialists
07.1996 - 08.1997
Founder & CEO
Whizz Kidd Computer Services
06.1996 - 08.2000
USC Sol Price School of Public Policy -
USC Sol Price School of Public Policy
Bachelor of Arts - Global Business Strategy (Minor in Urban Youth Studies)
The City University of New York (CUNY BA)
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