S. RENEE MITCHELL, M.B.A.

S. RENEE MITCHELL, M.B.A. 503-995-0958 • [email protected] * www.ReneeMitchellSpeaks.org

CAREER SUMMARY Resourceful and organized problem-solver who thrives on challenges and the privilege of promoting community building via the arts. Has more than 25 years of award-winning, professional writing experience. Exceptional communication, analytical and grant-writing skills. A poet, playwright, performer, and self-taught graphic and multi-media artist. A creative visionary. EDUCATION 1999-2001 George Fox University M.B.A., with emphasis in marketing 1980–1985 Florida A&M University B.A., Journalism / Minor in theater (Magna Cum Laude)

Newberg, OR

Tallahassee, FL

POETRY______________________________________________________ Creator/Organizer of Spit/Write, a poetry-performance project through Literary Arts for participants in Verselandia, an annual poetry slam contest through Portland Public Schools (2013) Poet/Author, The Awakening of Sharyn: A Shy & Brown SUPER Gyrl, a rhyming children’s book about finding courage in the face of shyness, bullying and low self-esteem. (2012) Developed anti-bullying curriculum (2013) Poetry Judge, Oregon Poetry Out Loud regional/state contests; Wilson High poetry slam (2011-present) Poet, I Dare You, a book of poetry about writing, love and natural hair (2012) Poetry Slam Emcee for AC Portland, a soccer and poetry writing non-profit in Portland (2011-12) Commissioned Poet, wrote poems for 26 honorees of PPS’ Young, Gifted & Black annual contest (2012) Commissioned Poet, Portland Jazz Festival’s Tribute to Miles Davis, featuring Thara Memory (2012) Commissioned Poet, Grammy Award winner Esperanza Spalding for intro to her Black Gold song (2012) Poet, Creatively Kwanzaa, poem performed annually at City Hall and community celebrations (2011-13) Writer-in-Residence, Wordstock, teaching poetry in PPS elementary schools (2011-present) Writer-in-Residence, Literary Arts, teaching poetry in PPS high schools (2009-present) Poetry Instructor/Curriculum Designer, Saturday Academy, in PPS middle and high schools (2011-present) Creator/Organizer, Wise Women’s Words, a 4-week, poetry-writing workshop for women, ages 55 and up, through Preserve Coalition, a project to increase health & memory in the African American community (2012) Poetry Instructor, Family Write Nights, which teaches parents to write poetry with their children, @ Vernon, Humboldt, Sabin, Faubion, Highland Park, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Woodlawn schools (2009-present) Guest Poet/Instructor, hired by master drummer Obo Addy to teach and perform poetry to 7th and 8th grade students at Open Meadows alternative school (2007/08) Poet, Tangoing With Tornadoes, A Poetic Interpretation of Love, Lust & Regret, a book of poetry (2005) Poet, Becoming a Whole Man: A Celebration of Love (co-author), a book of poetry (2003) Poet, Thought You Knew: Poetic Testimonies About Life, Liberation and Love, a poetry book (2002) Publisher of poetry chap books for various open mic poets through NappyRoots Press (2003-present)

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NOVEL______________________________________________________ Author, Tangoing With Tornadoes: A Novel, a debut novel about a newspaper reporter managing her dysfunctional relationships with her boyfriend, twin sister, best friend and mother (2013) PLAYS______________________________________________________ Hidden Portland History, a play about Lone Fir, commissioned by Buckman, a magnet arts school (2013) Sacrificing Justice, a play about a mother & daughter’s complicated relationship (2012) Reading by Part-Time Playhouse Theater in Gresham (2013) Blood is Thicker than Color, about the historical relationship between blacks and Native Americans (2012) Shaping of an Avalanche, about cyber bulling. Reading by PDX Playwrights (2012) Love Me Right, about relationships during Valentine’s Day. Reading at Talking Drum Books (2012) Sherman: A Jazz Opera, a libretto that celebrates the rich legacy of jazz in Portland (2011) The Ties That Bond, a play about Kwanzaa, read at North Portland library (2011) ARTISTIC EXPERIENCE______________________________________________________ Actress (Rosa St. John) in PassinArt’s 4-week production of “Bourbon at the Border,” a Pearl Cleage play about the ordinary participants of the Civil Rights Movement, Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center (2011) Guest Performer, a unique dance performance, “Don’t Give Up, Keep Moving On!” created by choreographer Tsahai Dias featuring my music and poetry about domestic violence, Phoenix, Ariz. (2010) Actress/Creator/Visionary/Organizer, “Tangoing With Tornadoes: A women’s empowerment project,” which features performance, workshops and lectures about domestic violence, performed in Portland, New Orleans, Tallahassee, Saipan, Orlando (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011) OTHER EXPERIENCE______________________________________________________ Graduate, Art of Leadership’s 6-month board training, through Business for Culture & the Arts (2013) Creator/Organizer of grant writing workshop for women of color artists, sponsored by Regional Arts & Culture Council (2012-2013) Presenter, African American Read-In, an annual literacy event at North Portland Library (2013/2010) Curriculum Designer for White Bird Dance’s annual presentation for 2,500 PPS school children at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (2011-present) Visionary/Organizer, City of Portland’s Community Art Show & Celebration for Black History Month (2013) Visionary/Executive Producer, “History, Hope & Harmony,” a Black History Month reception at Portland City Hall honoring bassist Esperanza Spalding, the first jazz artist to win a Grammy Award for Best New Artist. Mayoral proclamation. Raised private donations. (2012) Visionary/Organizer, Tell Me Your Story Project, a family storytelling project at Humboldt and Harriet Tubman Leadership Academy for Young women; funded with RACC grant (2012) Visionary/Organizer, Natural & Proud People Inspiration (N.A.P.P.I.) Project, poetry and performance art in celebration of natural hair; funded with RACC grant (2011) Visionary/Organizer, “Power of Me,” a young women’s empowerment & leadership program (2008/2010) Creator/Visionary/Organizer, Speak Up For Healing Campaign, a series of community ceremonies (2007-12)

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ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

Adjunct Professor, Warner Pacific College, Portland, English Composition (2012) Co-investigator/researcher, Developing an Abuse-Sensitive Depression Care Model, funded by National Institute of Mental Health and Kaiser Permanente Fund, in partnership with Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 2005-2011 

Co-Author, Nicolaidis, C., Timmons, V., Thomas, M. J., Reynolds, S., Wahab, S., Mejia, A., Mitchell, S. R. “You don’t go tellin’ white people nothin’:” African American women discuss the influence of violence and race on depression and depression care. American Journal of Public Health, July 2010

Adjunct Professor, Washington State University, Vancouver, WA, Intro to Newswriting, 2005-2006 Adjunct Professor, Portland State University Portland, OR, Intro to Newswriting, 2002-04

OTHER EXPERIENCE 2000-present Renee Mitchell Speaks LLC Portland, OR Owner/Founder of writer / performance / creative consulting company  Keynote speaker/Facilitator for writing/journalism/poetry/memoir workshops 

Graphic Artist/Designer of Brochures/Web sites/Books/Marketing campaigns

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Co-founder/Advisory Chair, Healing Roots Center, a domestic -violence resource program

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Project Director, Engage Me, a parent/community engagement project (2010-2011)

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Creator/CEO, Twysted Healing Systahs, a collaborative of women healers (2010-present)

AWARDS/HONORS

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Awesome Portland Award for anti-bullying project (2013)

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Josiah Hill Public Health Hero for Multnomah County (2010)

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Brainstorm Magazine’s 15 Top Interesting People in Oregon (2004)

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Delta Sigma Theta’s Woman of Excellence in Community Service (2003)

1998–2008 The Oregonian Metro Columnist (Portland)

Portland, OR

AWARDS

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Nominee for Pulitzer Prize for commentary (2008/05)

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No. 1 Commentator in five states, Society of Professional Journalists (2008)

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Ida B. Wells Bravery in Journalism Award, NYC-based Women’s eNews (2006)

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National Society of Newspaper Columnists award winner (2002)

OTHER JOBS

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Supervisor/ Health, Medicine & Science Team (2000)

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Supervisor/ Business Team (1999)

1994-1998 Detroit Free Press Assigning Editor/Supervisor/Copy Editor

Detroit, MI

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