R. Starr Armstrong
Gadsden,AL
Summary
Dynamic nonprofit leader, speaker, and educator with over 15 years of experience in designing and scaling impactful literacy and youth development programs. Expertise in engaging diverse stakeholders to secure buy-in and deliver measurable outcomes across multiple regions. Proven ability in program design and operational management, effectively aligning initiatives with organizational goals to drive success. Committed to fostering inclusive environments that empower individuals and communities through education and engagement.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Recreation Specialist I
Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation
02.2009 - 06.2016
- Coordinated and facilitated youth programs that promoted leadership skills, creativity, and educational enrichment.
- Supervised program staff and volunteers, providing training, scheduling, and performance feedback to ensure high-quality service delivery.
- Engaged with parents, schools, and community stakeholders to align programming with participant needs and interests.
Founder / Speaker / Consultant
Conveying Culture
- Current
- Develop and deliver professional workshops on culturally affirming literacy practices, reading motivation, and community partnership strategies for educators and program leaders.
- Create adaptable curricula and resources that reflect children’s cultural backgrounds, incorporate linguistic diversity (including dialect awareness), and strengthen reading fluency and comprehension.
- Advise schools, libraries, and youth-serving organizations on program planning, outreach methods, and implementation best practices.
- Deliver keynote addresses for conferences, schools, and community events, inspiring audiences to champion literacy and lifelong learning.
Founder & Executive Director
Clever Communities in Action
01.2016 - 01.2024
- Directed all aspects of a nonprofit organization’s operations, including strategic planning, fundraising, staffing, budgeting, and community engagement.
- Established and maintained relationships with schools, libraries, and civic organizations to create long-term program partnerships.
- Expanded programming from a single local initiative to multi-city implementation, adapting approaches to meet the unique needs of each community served.
- Designed performance measures, tracked outcomes, and used data to refine programming for greater impact.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, AL05-2005
Skills
- Program Development & Management
- Partnership Cultivation & Stakeholder Engagement
- Mission-Based Persuasion & Resource Mobilization
- Literacy & Youth Development Strategies
- Training & Capacity Building
- Grant & Resource Development
Accomplishments
- Expanded CCA book distribution events to serve students in both Hampton Roads, VA, and Flint, MI.
- Successfully built funding streams through partnerships, grants, and community sponsorships.
Timeline
Founder & Executive Director
Clever Communities in Action
01.2016 - 01.2024
Recreation Specialist I
Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation
02.2009 - 06.2016
Founder / Speaker / Consultant
Conveying Culture
- Current
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Jacksonville State University
Awards
· Educational Innovator Award (2024)
· Impacting Lives Award – New Journal and Guide (2023)
· Black Diamond Community Impact Award (2022)
· NAACP Community Service Award (2021)
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