My Philosophy.
Curiosity is how we make sense of our world.
Creativity is how we make order of our world.
Communications is how we share our world.
My Intention.
For nearly two-decades, I’ve built a career led by my curiosity, shaped by my creativity, and shared through my communications practice. I’ve led public relations programs in the financial sector, for elected officials, nonprofit organizations, artists and cultural institutions across the country. I care that stories told about and to communities are done accurately and with great depth and care. I believe that they way organizations communicate should reflect the people they serve, that communications efforts should connect with what their communities need and care about the most, and that the work we do as communicators should move people to take inspired action.
My Work.
I began my career creating and managing online and corporate communications at Wachovia (now Wells Fargo). I then developed award-winning programs that empowered Millennials across the country to be leaders in their communities and more active in our democracy with Generation Engage and Mobilize.org.
As a Communications Director on Capitol Hill, I led communications programs for Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA) and the Congressional Black Caucus. My work has been shared on the stage at the DNC to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. I also directed communications for advocacy efforts across 44 CBC member offices and the House Democratic Caucus on issues such as immigration reform, voting rights, and a socially-responsible budget.
I have shaped and shifted public conversations and sentiment about policy, high-profile entertainment and cultural initiatives as manager of communications and publicity at The New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, as a consultant working on major projects such as A&E’s “Roots” SONY’s “Concussion,” Kehinde Wiley’s “Rumors of War” unveiling in Times Square and at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and with clients such as The Africa Center, Mickalene Thomas, Me Too. International, the National COVID Remembrance, Japan Society, Sean Kelly Gallery, Sony Pictures, the NYC Office of the Mayor, among many others.
My work has earned thoughtful media coverage for my clients in many major and niche outlets including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, The Art Newspaper, BBC Culture, OkayAfrica, The Washington Post, Newsweek, CBS This Morning, and many more.
My Education.
I graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with my BA in Journalism and Mass Communication, completed my certificate in nonprofit management from Duke University, and earned my MA in Strategic Communications from American University. I most recently completed my Masters of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Museum Studies at Harvard Extension School where I focused my capstone on culture, communications, and the social impact of a healthy, creative economy.
My Spare Time.
In my spare time I do lots of yoga (I completed my 200-hour teacher training at VERAYOGA), lots of traveling, or you’ll find me on the beach reading a good book or the latest magazine in my collection.
Get in Touch.
Email me at ak@ayofemikirby.com or learn more about my work at itseleventhirtysix.com.