Strategic Marketing Communications, Events & Cause-related Marketing projects

1. Michelle Merritt
Portfolio

2. Portfolio
Contents
• Charles H. Wright Museum of
African American History
• Detroit Department of Health &
Wellness Promotion
• Marketing Communications, Brand
Architecture and Event Consulting
• Letters of Recommendation

3. Charles H. Wright Museum
of African American History
Ford Freedom Awards
1998 inaugural through 2000
Event production lead for ceremonies
honoring Mayor Coleman A. Young &
Ambassador Andrew Young, Sammy Davis,
Jr. & Gregory Hines, Langston Hughes &
Dr. Sonia Sanchez.
The two-day event included a gala, scholar’s
lecture and reception (at the Detroit Opera
House), an essay contest and WXZY-7 and Ford
Motor Co. television productions.

4. 1998
Mayor Young
Ambassador Young

5. 1999
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Gregory Hines

6. More Davis & Hines
Introducing my daughter, Kamila to
Mr. Davis’ daughter, Diane, at the
scholar’s lecture.

7. 2000
Langston Hughes
Sonia Sanchez

8. SOURCE Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company Sponsors 2001 Ford Freedom Awards
Langston Hughes to Receive Ford Freedom Award,
Sonia Sanchez Named Ford Freedom Award Scholar
DETROIT, Feb 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and Ford Motor Company
(NYSE: F) are pleased to announce that the late Langston Hughes -- one of the most prolific African American writers of all
time -- will be recognized as the 2001 Ford Freedom Award winner over a three-day celebration scheduled for February 21 -
23, 2001, during Black History Month. Sonia Sanchez, poet and activist, has been named as the Ford Freedom Award
Scholar in honor of Langston Hughes and will be in Detroit to play an active role in the three-day celebration.
"Langston Hughes continues to influence and inspire generations of writers and poets. His words lift from the page with
passion and vigor that ultimately soothe because he understood how to give sublime voice to all that we are as African
Americans," said Christy Coleman president and CEO of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. "Sonia
Sanchez shared with the world the struggles and triumphs of being a black woman. We grow with her as she explores with
gripping honesty just how difficult, and ultimately liberating, it can be to truly be yourself. It is therefore fitting that she is the
first woman to be honored as a Ford Freedom Scholar.“
Regarded by many as one of the most important and influential African American writer, Hughes was selected to receive the
Ford Freedom Award because of his important contributions to African American literature and the world at large. Hughes
embraced his African American roots with such passion and loyalty, ensuring the longevity of his copious body of work. He
was the second African American to earn his living as a belletristic writer, a credential that illuminates a popular and critically
acclaimed life-long career in writing in every genre.
As the Ford Freedom Award Scholar, Sonia Sanchez will bring the legacy of Langston Hughes to life. As a poet and
activist, Sanchez has been a poignant voice for African American women for several generations with her passionate poems
Ford Motor Company Sponsors 2001 Ford Freedom Awards
and works of prose that touch on social issues of modern and past times. She has also mastered the skill of presenting her
poetry in a manner that always sustains the rapt attention of her audiences.
"The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is a fundamental educational resource for one and all," said
Sandy Ulsh, vice president and executive director, Ford Motor Company Fund. "Partnering with the Museum for the Ford
Freedom Awards and many other projects, affords us the opportunity to continue strengthening positive relationships in the
community."
The Ford Freedom Award program was launched in February 1999 to recognize, posthumously, distinguished individuals
who have dedicated their lives to improving the African American community and world at large. Former Detroit Mayor
Coleman A. Young was honored as the first recipient of the Ford Freedom Award in February 1999 for his lifetime achievement
in politics, civil rights and human rights. The Ford Freedom Award Scholar, selected from the same discipline as the recipient,
was former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young.
In 2000, Sammy Davis Jr. was honored as the second recipient of the Ford Freedom Award, with Gregory Hines -- actor,
dancer, choreographer -- as the Ford Freedom Award Scholar.
The Ford Freedom Award celebration will take place over three days. A poetry reading featuring Sonia Sanchez is
scheduled for Wednesday, February 21, 2001, to kick-off the event. The press conference and gala dinner honoring Hughes
will be held on Thursday, February 22, 2001. The Ford Freedom Scholar's Lecture will be held on Friday, February 23, 2001.
Sonia Sanchez will share her views and comments regarding the impact of Hughes' career on African Americans, the literary
community, and the world at large. The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is the world's largest institution
dedicated to the preservation of African American history and culture.
"This year's Ford Freedom Award and Scholar honor individuals who have influenced and excelled in the area of Arts and
Humanities. Langston Hughes and Sonia Sanchez have moved the world with their words," said Christy Coleman president
and CEO of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.
The Ford Freedom Award program is made possible by Ford Motor Company.
For information on the Ford Freedom Award program, contact Patricia Jaynes at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African
American History at 313-494-5853 or Gwynne Irvin, Ford Motor Company at 313-323-0646.

9. African World Festival
2000
AWF is known,
internationally,
as one of the
country’s largest
outdoor, cultural,
“edutainment”
celebrations.
• Served as chair
of the Logistics
Committee.
• Developed event’s first fraud-proof
credentialing system for all staff,
volunteers, vendors and
contractors.

10. African World Festival
2001
• Produced the first
AWF kick-off
reception fashion
show. Sharrone Collection
• Managed crew,
contractors and
staff.
• Was also the
festival BeulahCooley.com
entertainers’
liaison.

11. Dr. Charles H. Wright
Awards for Excellence
Produced first community awards event hosted by former
WKBD-50 news anchor, Amyre Makupson.
Honoring:
• Mrs. Shirley Woodson for Arts in Education
• The Hon. Craig S. Strong for Community Activism
• The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute for Health
Advocacy accepted by Dr. William P. Peters
• Mrs. Mildred Pitts for Volunteerism

12. Dr. Charles H. Wright
Awards for Excellence

13. Recognition
for producing the Museum’s first
Detroit Mason s’ Family Day
Membership Drive and Parade

14. Detroit Department of
Health & Wellness Promotion
Revitalized
Family
Planning
education,
outreach and
communication
program and
ensured
compliance
with State of
Michigan
requirements.

15. Detroit Department of
Health & Wellness Promotion
Flyer design
Workshop presenter
Marketing consulting Conference planning committee member

16. National Conference
Presentation

17. Marketing Communications, Brand
Architecture & Event Consulting
Client websites:
http://tenoutoftenllc.com/
http://quenchfab.blogspot.com/
My website:
http://intrinsicmgt.com/

18. Marketing Communications, Brand
Architecture & Event Consulting
Additional clients include:
Art Reflections
Be Amazed! Events
Jo’s Gallery of Art
Sharrone Collection
(See her designs and tribute at:
http://photos.fuzzytek.com/Fashion/Sharrone-Collection-Fashion-In.)

19. Letter of Recommendation

20. Letter of Recommendation

21. Letter of Recommendation

22. Thank you for your time and
consideration in the review of
some of my work and
accomplishments.
Michelle Merritt