“Dakarai's extensive knowledge of education and ability to translate research and data for diverse audiences make him one of the top communication professionals in the education space. He has a seemingly instinctual awareness of the partnerships and advocates necessary for any initiative to achieve its goals. In addition to his award-winning writing, Dakarai's strategic acumen and strong project management skills ensured the success of client projects across a range of issues.”
About
Dakarai I. Aarons heads employee philanthropy programs for the Chan Zuckerberg…
Contributions
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Here's how you can achieve clear and concise communication in non-profit written materials.
Focus on your audience first and foremost. What action do you want your audience to take as a result of reading your publication? How do you want them to feel? Keep that in mind and avoid jargon--along with the common internal temptation to write and edit by committee.
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Here's how you can explore various career paths in philanthropy.
Take the time to study both the roles and the many types of philanthropic organizations. This will allow you to map your current skills with those needed for roles in philanthropy. You can pair those skills with a cause or issue you care about to find a role that matches your passion and skills.
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How can you write a press release that stands out in a crisis?
A crisp, concise and clear message is critical when dealing with crisis. You'll want to address what you can about the situation and position it with forward facing action for the organization. Most importantly, the press release is just one tactic in your crisis management strategy and should not be relied on as the catch-all for managing through crisis.
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How can you engage hard-to-reach populations in public policy making?
Intentional design and outreach can engage those we think are the hardest to engage in public policy decision making. So often, the meetings, events and conversations that lead to policy outcomes happen in places where the very public were serving have not been invited or public meetings are held at times or in locations that make it hard for the average citizen to engage. Move the meetings and conversations to where the people are and in survey research, design for an oversampling of groups that are often underrepresented. You'll find that inclusive decision making leads to better decisions, actions and outcomes.
Activity
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The Latino Policy Institute is hiring for a Strategic Initiatives Coordinator in Providence. Salary range is $58k-65k.
The Latino Policy Institute is hiring for a Strategic Initiatives Coordinator in Providence. Salary range is $58k-65k.
Liked by Dakarai I. Aarons
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I'm honored to join the Board of Directors of the Center for Effective Philanthropy. CEP's survey and data analysis tools provide funders with…
I'm honored to join the Board of Directors of the Center for Effective Philanthropy. CEP's survey and data analysis tools provide funders with…
Liked by Dakarai I. Aarons
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🚨🚨 🚨 🚨 Ok network! Let's see what you've got! 🚨 🚨 🚨 🚨 It's been one month since joining EarnIn and I could not be more excited to share…
🚨🚨 🚨 🚨 Ok network! Let's see what you've got! 🚨 🚨 🚨 🚨 It's been one month since joining EarnIn and I could not be more excited to share…
Liked by Dakarai I. Aarons
Experience
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Education
Volunteer Experience
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Advisory Board Member
Black Funders Network of the Bay Area
- Present 2 years 7 months
Poverty Alleviation
The Black Funders Network of the Bay Area enables Black philanthropy professionals to connect and grow, (re)energize, and align to best support Black communities and organizations.
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Chair Of The Board Of Directors
Wayfinder Foundation
- Present 6 years 9 months
Civil Rights and Social Action
Founded in 2017, Wayfinder Foundation's mission is to elevate, amplify, and invest in Black and Brown women activists and organizers who are confronting and dismantling systemic inequities by leading social change and shifting power in their communities.
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Board Member
American Youth Policy Forum
- 6 years 1 month
Education
The American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF), a nonprofit, nonpartisan professional development organization based in Washington, DC, provides learning opportunities for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers working on youth and education issues at the national, state, and local levels.
AYPF’s goal is to enable participants to become more effective in the development, enactment, and implementation of sound policies affecting the nation’s young people by providing information…The American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF), a nonprofit, nonpartisan professional development organization based in Washington, DC, provides learning opportunities for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers working on youth and education issues at the national, state, and local levels.
AYPF’s goal is to enable participants to become more effective in the development, enactment, and implementation of sound policies affecting the nation’s young people by providing information, insights, and networks to better understand the development of healthy and successful young people, productive workers, and participating citizens in a democratic society. AYPF does not lobby or advocate for positions on pending legislation. Rather, we believe that greater intellectual and experiential knowledge of youth issues will lead to sounder, more informed policymaking. We strive to generate a climate of constructive action by enhancing communication, understanding, and trust among youth policy professionals. -
Vice President, Community Members and Member, Board of Directors
Education Writers Association
- 8 years 1 month
Education
I served as vice president of community members and membership and nominating committee chairman of the board of directors of the Education Writers Association, the national professional association for education reporters and other communications professionals.
Founded in 1947 by newspaper education reporters, the organization now includes journalist members who work as reporters, bloggers, freelancers, and Web content providers for newspapers, magazines, radio, online news sites, and…I served as vice president of community members and membership and nominating committee chairman of the board of directors of the Education Writers Association, the national professional association for education reporters and other communications professionals.
Founded in 1947 by newspaper education reporters, the organization now includes journalist members who work as reporters, bloggers, freelancers, and Web content providers for newspapers, magazines, radio, online news sites, and television.Community members include researchers, writers for educational organizations, public relations professionals, and others. -
Chairman, Public Relations Commission
Metropolitan AME Church
- 3 years
Civil Rights and Social Action
Lead internal and external communications strategy and serve as on-the-record spokesperson for one of the nation's oldest and most prominent African-American churches.
Founded in 1838, Metropolitan—the “National Cathedral of African Methodism”— has a rich history of pioneering change, inspiring social activism and promoting advocacy to achieve justice for all people. -
Education Advisory Committee Member
City Of Hyattsville, Maryland
- 2 years 7 months
Education
The Education Advisory Committee (EAC) is established to help strengthen the relationship between the City and the schools/organizations providing educational services to students in the City of Hyattsville. The goal of the Education Advisory Committee is to help the City identify positive and meaningful opportunities to influence student achievement.
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Member Of The Board Of Advisors
National Digital Roundtable
The National Digital Roundtable is the premier convener of digital innovators, leaders and policy shapers.
Languages
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English
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Organizations
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Nebraska Alumni Association
Life Member
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National Press Club
Member
- PresentThe National Press Club, a private club for journalists and communications professionals, has been a Washington institution for more than a century. It is also a world-class conference and meeting facility that hosts thousands of events each year for sophisticated clients from around the globe. And while these are the Club’s functions, its mission is to be The World’s Leading Professional Organization for Journalists. It is a social and business organization dedicated to supporting the ongoing…
The National Press Club, a private club for journalists and communications professionals, has been a Washington institution for more than a century. It is also a world-class conference and meeting facility that hosts thousands of events each year for sophisticated clients from around the globe. And while these are the Club’s functions, its mission is to be The World’s Leading Professional Organization for Journalists. It is a social and business organization dedicated to supporting the ongoing improvement of the profession of journalism.
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National Association of Black Journalists
Member
- PresentThe National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is an organization of journalists, students and media-related professionals that provides quality programs and services to and advocates on behalf of black journalists worldwide. Founded by 44 men and women on December 12, 1975, in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization of journalists of color in the nation.
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Washington Association of Black Journalists
Member
- PresentI've also directed the organization's signature program, the Urban Journalism Workshop.
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Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church
Chairman, Public Relations Commission
-Lead internal and external communications strategy and execution for one of the nation's most prominent African-American churches. Founded in 1838, Metropolitan—the “National Cathedral of African Methodism”— has a rich history of pioneering change, inspiring social activism and promoting advocacy to achieve justice for all people. It was formed by two existing churches: Israel Bethel A.M.E., founded in 1821 and Union Bethel A.M.E., also founded in 1838. The parent A.M.E. Church movement grew…
Lead internal and external communications strategy and execution for one of the nation's most prominent African-American churches. Founded in 1838, Metropolitan—the “National Cathedral of African Methodism”— has a rich history of pioneering change, inspiring social activism and promoting advocacy to achieve justice for all people. It was formed by two existing churches: Israel Bethel A.M.E., founded in 1821 and Union Bethel A.M.E., also founded in 1838. The parent A.M.E. Church movement grew out of an anti–segregation protest in Philadelphia in 1787. Similarly, both Israel Bethel and Union Bethel began as a result of dissatisfaction among African Americans over racial segregation here in Washington at Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church. The name of the Church was officially changed to Metropolitan A.M.E. Church in 1872 at the Baltimore Conference. For further information, contact www.metropolitaname.org or follow us on Twitter at @Metropolitaname.
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National Association of Hispanic Journalists
Associate Member
-The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanics in the news industry. Established in April 1984, NAHJ created a national voice and unified vision for all Hispanic journalists. NAHJ is governed by an 18-member board of directors that consists of executive officers and regional directors who represent geographic areas of the United States and the Caribbean. The national office is located in Washington, D.C. NAHJ…
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanics in the news industry. Established in April 1984, NAHJ created a national voice and unified vision for all Hispanic journalists. NAHJ is governed by an 18-member board of directors that consists of executive officers and regional directors who represent geographic areas of the United States and the Caribbean. The national office is located in Washington, D.C. NAHJ has approximately 1,500 members, including working journalists, journalism students, other media-related professionals and journalism educators.
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Public Relations Society of America
Member
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Recommendations received
4 people have recommended Dakarai I.
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This is a real data win and will help young people make choices about what to do after high school. "In response to a grassroots push by U.S. state…
This is a real data win and will help young people make choices about what to do after high school. "In response to a grassroots push by U.S. state…
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