Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Beverly James

Suitland

Summary

Dynamic communications leader with over 20 years of experience, notably at the University of the District of Columbia, where I enhanced media coverage by 50%. Expert in crisis communication and stakeholder engagement, I excel in strategic planning and content creation, driving impactful initiatives that position organizations as thought leaders.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience

Work History

Principal Owner (20 Hours/week)

BJ Editorial
Suitland
01.2000 - Current
  • Leveraged over 20 years of experience in media relations and strategic planning.
  • Specialized in establishing clients as thought leaders through targeted content creation.
  • Crafted and edited digital content while adhering to Associated Press style guidelines.
  • Developed and executed comprehensive crisis communications plans for various organizations.

Associate VP Communications (40hrs/week)

University of the District of Columbia
Washington
08.2024 - 04.2025
  • Managed crisis communications for university leadership during critical events.
  • Developed and executed comprehensive communications strategy, increasing media coverage and stakeholder engagement by fifty percent.
  • Created omnichannel recruitment strategy aligning with five-year university plan, enhancing enrollment.
  • Utilized personalized outreach tactics to improve student retention rates significantly.
  • Directed multifunctional team of marketing and communications professionals to ensure effective project delivery.
  • Supervised creation of online and print materials across various platforms, ensuring brand consistency.
  • Guided internal and external communications, including thought leadership and media relations initiatives.
  • Prepared talking points and presentations for president and board chair, ensuring clarity and impact.

Director of Advocacy Communications (40 Hrs/week)

Georgia Charter Schools Association
Atlanta
04.2022 - 04.2023
  • Executed advocacy and communication strategy with measurable goals for Atlanta and national efforts.
  • Developed messaging and assets for Charter Champions program; trained charter school parents and stakeholders.
  • Wrote speeches and delivered media training to position administrators as educational thought leaders.
  • Supported GCSA in establishing a communications strategy aligned with advocacy priorities and public relations.
  • Built a core group of Atlanta member schools to enhance storytelling capacity and positive media coverage.
  • Informed and engaged schools with polling data and legislative calls to action for advocacy efforts.
  • Managed relationships with Atlanta elected officials, stakeholders, and partners to monitor developments impacting charter schools.
  • Tracked, reported on goals and performance metrics, providing updates to Executive Vice President of Policy.

Director of Public Relations (40 Hrs/week)

University of Florida, IFAS
Gainesville
04.2015 - 02.2019
  • Positioned faculty and administrators as thought leaders in major publications, including The Washington Post and NPR.
  • Increased social media engagement by 25 percent through targeted campaigns.
  • Managed crisis communications for institute, Extension, 4-H personnel, students, and faculty.
  • Prepared weekly analytics reports to track earned media hits via TrendKite.
  • Trained staff on software to boost media hits by 50 percent and share of voice by 35 percent.
  • Directed community engagement initiatives, featuring dignitary visits to research centers.
  • Developed communications strategies for 67 Extension offices focused on global health and vaccine promotion.
  • Coordinated creation of expert lists and speakers bureau for the institute.

Director of Communications (40 Hrs/week)

Bethune-Cookman University
Daytona Beach
08.2013 - 03.2015
  • Increased media hits by 100% through targeted outreach strategies.
  • Launched marketing campaign resulting in a 10% enrollment increase.
  • Managed crisis communications, including key messages and press conferences.
  • Planned major events for donors, alumni, and community leaders.
  • Coordinated and managed publications, including annual reports.
  • Developed strategic communications plans for diverse internal and external audiences.
  • Collaborated with Director of Odessa Chambliss Center to enhance program visibility.
  • Evaluated program effectiveness to measure return on investment.

Assistant Director, Media Relations (40 Hrs/week)

Georgia Perimeter College
Decatur
11.2006 - 08.2013
  • Directed external communications, including events, press releases, and public service announcements.
  • Executed community engagement initiatives to enhance public and donor involvement.
  • Trained administrators and communications staff on crisis communication strategies.
  • Participated in six executive committees to influence college vision and goals.

Education

Master of Arts - Professional Writing

Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA
05-2010

Bachelor of Arts - Journalism

Howard University
Washington, DC
05-1989

Associate of Applied Science - Dental Hygiene

Hostos Community College of The City University of New York
The Bronx, NY
06-1983

Skills

  • Project management and strategic planning
  • Crisis communication
  • CRM proficiency (Salesforce, HubSpot)
  • Collaborative leadership
  • Policy advocacy (state and federal)
  • Media training and spokesperson skills
  • Media relations
  • Content creation
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Public speaking
  • Team leadership
  • Brand development
  • Event planning
  • Message development
  • Advocacy strategy
  • Cross-functional coordination
  • KPI management
  • Social media management
  • Verbal and written communication

Affiliations

  • I write middle-grade and young adult novels.

· 2025: Reading Partners Volunteer

· 2022-present Howard University Alumni Club, Atlanta Chapter mentor

· 2017-2019 Take Stock in Children volunteer mentor

· 2007-2013 Decatur Book Festival volunteer

· 2017 ACE Gold Award for Crisis Communications

· 2017 ACE Outstanding Professional Skill Award for Crisis Communications

· 2014, Vice President of Community Engagement, Florida Public Relations Association, Daytona Beach Chapter

Timeline

Associate VP Communications (40hrs/week)

University of the District of Columbia
08.2024 - 04.2025

Director of Advocacy Communications (40 Hrs/week)

Georgia Charter Schools Association
04.2022 - 04.2023

Director of Public Relations (40 Hrs/week)

University of Florida, IFAS
04.2015 - 02.2019

Director of Communications (40 Hrs/week)

Bethune-Cookman University
08.2013 - 03.2015

Assistant Director, Media Relations (40 Hrs/week)

Georgia Perimeter College
11.2006 - 08.2013

Principal Owner (20 Hours/week)

BJ Editorial
01.2000 - Current

Master of Arts - Professional Writing

Kennesaw State University

Bachelor of Arts - Journalism

Howard University

Associate of Applied Science - Dental Hygiene

Hostos Community College of The City University of New York

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Beverly James