and wanted to focus more on external outreach to help build their brand. The organization had also gone through a name-change and folks were often unfamiliar with the American Conference on Diversity, originally called the National Conference of Christians and Jews."
P.A.R.C. Mag Part 1: One of your major clients includes social justice and diversity advocacy organization American Conference on Diversity. Can you describe the work that you do with them?
P.A.R.C. Mag Part 2: Can you discuss any recent projects you have worked on with American Conference on Diversity? What would you say was your most challenging project? Which one was your favorite or the most fun?
Gail: "At ACOD, I maintain the website, write press releases, web copy, the newsletter, and other materials, manage the social media accounts as well as plan and attend events. In addition to the roughly half dozen regularly scheduled events ACOD holds each year, I’ll work local trade shows and be present at ad hoc happenings. This week, for instance, I participated in the Immigration Rally in Trenton and sat in on/live tweeted the taping of the CEO’s interview on Comcast Newsmakers. Last month, we introduced a new #NoHateNJ campaign that launched with a two-hour Town Hall at Kean University. In addition to collaborating with Kean to create marketing materials, I worked the exhibitor table, live-tweeted the event, and created a follow-up release and worked to get media placement. In April, we’re holding our 69th Annual Humanitarian Awards. This includes creating an overall press release (as well as individual ones for each of the award honorees), posting them to the web and media event calendars, and engaging with and inviting reporters."
"I’d say the Humanitarian Awards is perhaps the most challenging of events because of all the hustle and bustle. It will be held on April 6 this year at Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange, NJ. There are so many people who attend that I never get to speak to everyone, and there are so many things happening at the same time that I inevitably miss the staff photo opp. Must haves for that event: Lots of rest the night before and flats stashed in my bag!"
"The event that’s most fun is without a doubt Diversity Stride Walk-a-Thon, which takes place in late spring at Liberty State Park (a place that resonates with me because my father and grandparents on my mother’s side came to this country through Ellis Island!). It’s great to see folks dressed down, dancing, and exercising with their friends and family (some even their dogs). I get my two daughters involved as volunteers, and they often bring their friends to help fundraise for our signature Lead for Diversity leadership-development program."
"Being an only child raised by a single mom during the 60s, I had always felt like a social “minority” and I think that helped me to identify better with people who weren’t part of the majority race, religion, ability status, sexual orientation, etc."
P.A.R.C. Mag: You were a recipient of The 20 Central Jersey Most Influential Twitter Users and Diversity Thought Leaders Leading the Way on Twitter. Can you tell us these two awards?
"My ultimate goal is to help end bias, bigotry, and racism in workplaces, communities,
and schools."