LaGina R Harris
Houston,TX
Summary
Experienced professional with more than 15 years of holistic and community-oriented work in business,academia, program development, and philanthropy. Passionate social impact entrepreneur who has built amplification platforms, creating spaces for women and minorities, as well as supported youth development initiatives through entrepreneurial community. Innovative and strategic leader with a track record of operating in complex, chaotic environments and achieving results.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Program Coordinator
HCAC: Houston Health Foundation
02.2022 - 09.2023
- Recruit, select, and onboard young adults for the cohort program.
- Create a well-structured grant-based curriculum that cultivates civic engagement, leadership, and community involvement: developing workshops, and projects
- Manage logistics such as scheduling, venue arrangements, materials preparation, and technology setup.
- Facilitate mentor-mentee matching based on future interests, goals, and aspirations.
- Collaborate with community leaders, experts, and professionals to secure engaging guest speakers.
- Design and oversee mini grant project requirements and process for cohort focused on social determinants of health and civic engagement.
Co-Founder
Melanin Minds
04.2021 - Current
- Strategize long-term business needs while driving attendee feedback for process improvements.
- Grow partnerships that are in alignment with strategic growth and vision by 350% in one year
- Evaluate existing plans, processes and programming to identify opportunities for improving cultivation of mental health spaces for Black, Indigenous & People of Color
- Increase revenue by 1050% to exceed revenue growth projections, aligning organizational objectives with company mission
- Responsible for general recruit and management of 40+ volunteer personnel
Founder
The Us Space
05.2019 - Current
- Plan and execute programming to drive collective engagement and increase revenue
- Created organization's mission and vision statements for use by employees
- Establish partnerships with over 10 community organizations offering physical and digital membership tiers for both individuals and organizations to create positive economic impact in Houston
- Identify revenue opportunities by collaborating with strategic partners
- Implement new initiatives, revise systems and procedures to increase visibility and resources opportunities
Founder
LaRae Infinity LLC
01.2018 - Current
- Develop key operational initiatives to drive and maintain substantial business growth
- Investigate and addressed business development challenges to proactively mitigate problems
- Conduct target market research to scope out industry competition and identify advantageous trends
- Further brand awareness through professional networks, charitable donations and events
- Improve business profits by 89% through strategic updates to processes, procedures and team makeup
- Negotiate terms of business acquisitions to increase business base, solidify market presence and diversify offerings.
- Developed and implemented daily operations plans such as delivery routes, employee assignments and promotional strategies.
Director of Membership and Special Projects
Greater Austin Black Chamber Of Commerce
05.2018 - 04.2019
- Led Special Projects teams in delivery of 34 projects, resulting in sponsorship, increased event attendance, and sustainable partnerships
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
- Recruited new members using attendance at community events, promotional materials, and other methods
- Consultant for City of Austin's Mobility Bond Program to ensure that city-certified MBE/WBE firms have opportunities
- Ensured all organizational, grant, city, and federal reporting compliance on monthly, and quarterly basis are completed for submission
- Managed administrative logistics of event planning, including, contract negotiation, contract signing, fee collection, event booking and event promotions
Events Coordinator
OCH Events
07.2013 - 11.2017
- Handled day-of deliveries, pick-ups, event setup/breakdown, logistics, and supervised average of 15 staff members and volunteers
- Constructed marketing, timelines for multiple events running at once, and managing day-of implementation
- Negotiated terms and contract details as the liaison between venue and client
- Disseminated money, handled on-site cash bank exceeding $4,000 and counted tills at close of event
Coordinator of First Year Experience
Huston-Tillotson University
01.2011 - 08.2013
- Planned, budgeted, and implemented University-wide events: Registration, Homecoming Week, New Student Orientation for over 250 incoming students and parents, etc
- Recruited, trained, scheduled, evaluated and supervised average of 30 faculty and student staff per semester
- Input data, maintain budget, and managed Title III and SAFRA grant-based reporting
- Documented and assisted in progress of 2 cycles of First Year matriculation
- Developed and wrote curriculum for both RAM Bridge College Readiness Program and University AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) first-year class on University Task Force
- Researched subject matter and coordinated variety of professional development workshops and training to establish needs and capabilities of student groups
- Advised students with planning their educational goals for first year of matriculation
Assistant Director of Recruitment and Admissions
Huston-Tillotson University
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Researched, marketed, and developed University's student recruitment and admission strategy staying abreast of current admission processes and recruitment trends
- Identified over 1.5K potential students per semester, explaining admission process, providing full recruitment cycle assistance including FAFSA filing, complete application and transfer documentation as needed
- Reviewed and revised department of Admission policies and procedures
- Managed all aspects of confidential student records, entering information into Jenzabar system, including scholarships, entrance exams, and financial aid
- Maintained working relationships with over 500 high school personnel, university alumni, and other resources
- Documented immunization records, high school and college transcripts, and test scores to update student's admissions status
Education
Master of Science - Higher Education: Student Affairs
Kaplan University
Distance Education2011
Bachelor of Science - Health and Physical Education/ Adolescent Psychology
Stillman College
Tuscaloosa, AL2008
Skills
- Strategic Direction
- Report Compilation
- Performance Feedback
- Business Process Re-Engineering
- Contract Compliance
- Policy And Procedure Adherence
- Leadership Development / Monitoring
- Special Projects
- Public Service
- Decision-Making
- Performance Metrics
- Innovative Analytical Thinker
Accomplishments
- Venture Mentor: 10th Annual Bayou Startup Showcase (Rice University & University of Houston: RED Labs, Owl Spark, REDLaunch and BlueLaunch): July 2023
- Founder Institute (FI) Houston Mentor: May 2023
- gBETA Houston: Cohort Business Mentor Fall 2022 / Spring 2023
- Rice MBA New Enterprises Mentor: March 2023
- University of Houston Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship, Impact Competition Feb 2023
- Women in Leadership Conference Moderator, A Woman in the Workplace: Feb 2023
- Houston Black MBA, Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) 2023
- Case Competition Judge: Feb 2023
- Pearland Innovation Hub Business Coach: Jan 2023 - Present
- Dallas Start-up Week: How To Build A Bad@$$ Community, Panelists Aug 2022
- gBETA Houston Spring Accelerator: Cohort 2022
- Black Girl Venture (BGV) Spring Fellowship: Change Agent Cohort 2022
- Indeed SMB Luminary Fellowship: 2022
- Savage X Game Changers DOU -Power of Partnership: DEC 2021
- Emcee & Summit Panel Moderator - Physician Suicide Awareness Impact Summit: Sept 2021
- SURE Alumni Leadership Counsel - Networking Committee Lead: Fall 2021
- Host & Co-Moderator - Melanin Minds Mental Health Conference: July 2021
- iFundWomen of Color Crowdfunding Accelerator Cohort: Summer 2021
- Houston Area Urban League - Small Business University Cohort and Pitch Winner: Spring 2021
- Panel Moderator - Whole Planet Foundation International Women's Day Entrepreneurs Panel: March 2021
- Houston Community College Entrepreneur Business Plan Competition: Spring 2021
- SURE Program - University of Houston, C.T. Bauer College of Business: Spring 2021
Volunteer Work
Lift Collective Organization
Board Member Aug 2023 - Current
Advisory Board Member Oct 2021 – Aug 2022
WOC Entrepreneur Initiative: Scholarship and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and/or programs planning, recruitment, and implementation. Lift Collective is a community-centered, multi-channel platform advocating equity and inclusion in the wine industry. Through programming, networking enrichment, & partnerships, prioritizing diverse perspectives.
Choose to DO, Inc.
Advisory Board Member Jul 2021 – July 2022
Choose to DO, Inc. is a nonprofit centered around mental health and wellness for BIPOC teens. Our mission is to focus on the physical and mental benefits of positive thinking. We believe that changing children's mindsets, changes their outcomes because Choose to DO, Inc. is for the next generation!
Nerdy Girl Success, Inc
Board Member (Volunteer Director) Feb 2021 – Feb 2023
Support Executive Director and Board President on internal and external communications for Nerdy Girl Success. Newly appointed Volunteer Director (Dec 2021). Strategies encompassing the volunteer program, including comprehensive program recruitment practices, screening, orientation, training, record keeping and evaluation.
Whole Planet Foundation
Community Engagement Committee 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
- Secure auction item and sponsorship on behalf of organization
- Participate in committee planning meeting for network engagement opportunities
- Assist in the planning of Foundation fundraisers and annual appreciation event
Certification
Texas Food Handler Certified
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) Certified
Advanced Management Leadership Program School of Management
The Boys and Girls Club Leadership University
Timeline
Program Coordinator
HCAC: Houston Health Foundation
02.2022 - 09.2023
Co-Founder
Melanin Minds
04.2021 - Current
Founder
The Us Space
05.2019 - Current
Director of Membership and Special Projects
Greater Austin Black Chamber Of Commerce
05.2018 - 04.2019
Founder
LaRae Infinity LLC
01.2018 - Current
Events Coordinator
OCH Events
07.2013 - 11.2017
Coordinator of First Year Experience
Huston-Tillotson University
01.2011 - 08.2013
Assistant Director of Recruitment and Admissions
Huston-Tillotson University
01.2010 - 01.2011
Master of Science - Higher Education: Student Affairs
Kaplan University
Bachelor of Science - Health and Physical Education/ Adolescent Psychology
Stillman College