Michael Franklin

Michael Franklin is the Founder and Chief Thought Leadership Officer of Words Normalize Behavior LLC (WNB), a Black and Gen Z-owned and certified LGBT Business Enterprise by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). WNB delivers exceptional coalition building, executive communications, executive strategy, and speechwriting services for clients across higher education, political advocacy, corporate social responsibility, sports and entertainment, and philanthropic institutions. Michael is also the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Speechwriters of Color and a proud graduate of Howard University. Michael has established himself as a credible leader in executive communications and strategic engagement and his keen eye for developing strategies that wed traditional media approaches with innovative outreach and engagement strategies is especially prescient in a world where justice, equity, and democracy are under attack. In a constantly shifting media environment where leaders want to make a positive impact, Michael’s ability to develop strategic communications plans and campaign strategies concurrently makes him an excellent thought partner as you seek to expand your platform and thought leadership.

Brittany Geneva Cummings

Brittany Geneva Cummings is the Founder of Geneva Savvy Media. An entrepreneur and advocate dedicated to storytelling, community-building, and creating safe spaces, Brittany uses her 15+ years of media and communications experience to guide brands and organizations who are creating safe spaces for underserved communities at the intersection of advocacy, social impact, and culture. She has worked with dozens of brands and organizations to tell impactful stories through traditional media and through in-person live experiences, including Color of Change, GLAAD, 1803 Fund, Represent Justice, the International African American Museum, and Honeyland Music Festival. Brittany began her career in media working with Georgia Public Broadcasting, WSBTV, AJAM, and CNN before eventually transitioning to communications where she rose through the ranks at Weber Shandwick, Marriott International, Edelman and BerlinRosen, during which time she won PRNews’ rising Stars Under 30 Award.

Cabria Ridgnal

Cabria Ridgnal is a Project Manager with Words Normalize Behavior. She is a public health professional with over 5 years in HIV prevention, with 4 of those years focused on disparities in Southern United States communities. She is an expert in community health education and outreach, content strategy, with project management experience. She is a 2023 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Public Health Associate Program graduate. She utilizes culturally competent best practices to navigate the healthcare space and advise patients on provider interactions and access to care. Cabria previously worked as a Digital Communications Associate at The Collective PAC during the 2020 election cycle and as a Peer Prevention Specialist at Odyssey House Louisiana. She utilized several tools to develop content and increase digital engagement across various platforms for stakeholders at these organizations. She has a history of assisting political candidates in winning races. Her most notable role was serving as Campaign Manager on the path of victory for Dawn Rattan, the first Black Woman to serve on the Johnson County Community College Board of Trustees in Johnson County, Kansas. Cabria is a proud graduate of the illustrious Dillard University of New Orleans, LA with a BS in Public Health with a concentration in Health Systems Administration.


 

Jiya Pinder

Jiya Pinder is the founder of Creative Aura Consulting. Having earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs and Communications from Northeastern University, She is completing her Masters in Integrated Marketing and Communications at Georgetown University. With a strong background in communication and an understanding of trends, Jiya has been instrumental in developing successful social media strategies for various brands and advocacy organizations such as Nike, Black Futures Lab, Color Of Change, and AFROPUNK. She founded Creative Aura Consulting, a digital marketing consultancy that has worked on projects for Wiley University, The Rights and Resources Initiative, and more mission-driven organizations. She knows how inclusive and data-driven digital storytelling can help any organization meet its business goals and acquire, keep, and grow an audience. From short-form videos to influencer partnerships to rapid-response content, Jiya can develop impactful content and build engaged and diverse communities.

‘KT’ Coleman

Kandann ‘KT’ Coleman hails from Toledo, Ohio, the Glass City, where she was nurtured by the values of education, community engagement, and social consciousness instilled by her blue-collar, working-class parents. As the daughter of a union laborer and a small business-owning mechanic, she embraced a career in public service as a natural path, driven by a strong work ethic and a familial commitment to breaking barriers.

During her undergraduate years at Bowling Green State University, KT found her voice as an advocate and community organizer, igniting a passion for addressing societal challenges and effecting positive change. This drive led her to pursue a master’s degree, equipping herself with the tools needed to craft impactful policies to uplift the working poor.
KT’s professional trajectory has been marked by diverse experiences in non-profit development, political advocacy, and public affairs, focusing on issues such as gun violence prevention, women’s rights, and racial equity. Her role as the Deputy Campaigns Director at the National Democratic Redistricting Committee sees her leveraging her expertise to advance fair and equitable electoral processes.


Beyond her work in politics, KT is deeply committed to community-centric leadership development, particularly for women and girls. As a millennial political donor, she actively contributes to grassroots funding initiatives supporting Black and Brown women candidates. Additionally, she lends her expertise as a communications strategist and speechwriter, amplifying the voices of marginalized individuals in the public and entertainment sectors.

Throughout her career, KT continues to be a driving force for change, utilizing her skills and network to shape the political landscape and empower underrepresented communities nationwide.

Kelsi Horn

Kelsi Horn is a Writer and Senior Executive Communications Strategist with Words Normalize Behavior. Kelsi is an accomplished publicist, entrepreneur and change agent in her community. As a public relations professional, she has leveraged her skills to work with top names in business, entertainment, and policy. Kelsi has worked alongside brands and organizations worldwide, drafting press releases, op-eds, speeches, and social copy for leaders and public figures across non-profit, government, corporate, and tech. She notably served as the Executive Communications Manager for Meta’s COO Sheryl Sandberg and led communications for the Horizon Worlds team, developing remarks, talking points, and narrative development around Meta’s $10 billion investment in Reality Lab activations.

Kelsi received a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Advertising and Public Relations from Michigan State University and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated

Liz Lebron

Liz Lebron is the founder and president of Blue Nexus Group, a Latina-owned and led research, strategic communications, and public affairs firm. She is an experienced strategist, researcher, and storyteller with a background in election administration, government, media, advocacy, and academia. Liz founded BNG to develop data-based campaigns that mobilize voters and advance social change. Prior to founding Blue Nexus Group, Liz worked as a communications strategist and researcher for over two decades in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. Throughout her career, Liz has been an advocate for the Latino community and other communities of color. Liz is a sought-after speaker about the Latino electorate and the impact of disinformation on Latino voters. In addition to presenting her research at national academic and election conferences, she has been quoted in outlets like NPR, The Washington Post, and Univision.

Elkie Griffin

Elkie Griffin is a Senior Executive Communications Strategist with Words Normalize Behavior. She is a seasoned communications practitioner and storyteller with years of experience within the consumer and multicultural realm, having designed several innovative and successful media relations campaigns for such top-tier brands as Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), Verizon, Diageo, BurgerKing, and L’Oreal, among others.

Residing in Elmhurst, NY, Elkie’s expertise traverses the writing spectrum, encompassing everything from traditional media relations (press releases, fact sheets, bios, advertorials) to product guides to bylines to speechwriting for corporate and entertainment luminaries (e.g., James Earl Jones). She embraces a true 360˚ approach to communications, encompassing media relations, thought-leadership development, speechwriting, byline development, onsite activation, awards submissions—and an emphasis on ideation and strategic plan development. Throughout her career, Elkie’s effective media relations and thought leadership efforts have been featured in such industry-leading media outlets as TIME Motto.com, Glamour.com, Fortune.com, The New York Times, Crain’s New York, Forbes, Digiday.com, Fast Company, and Inc. A native of Memphis, TN, and a graduate of Northwestern University, Elkie comes armed with equal parts Southern gentility, Midwestern pragmatism, and New York savvy.

Corinne Dorsey

Corinne Dorsey is a Digital Media Strategist at Words Normalize Behavior and the founder of Dorsey Design Studios, a digital design studio based in Washington, D.C. A graduate of Howard University, she also works as a Content Writer and Journalist in the capital. Currently, she holds positions as a full-time Content Strategist at MPOWER Financing and as a Social Media Lead for Tum Socials Event Planning. Her professional writing has been featured in publications such as The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal Magazine, AfroTech, CNN, The TODAY Show and The Dallas Morning News. Beyond her journalistic endeavors, Corinne has collaborated with companies like Streamlined Media: Bold Culture, VERSUS Equity, and Vantage Point Virtual Reality, lending her expertise to various social media and marketing projects. Furthermore, Corinne is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Jeria Boone

Jeria Boone is a Digital Media Strategist with Words Normalize Behavior. She has a rich background in digital communications in which she leverages extensive experience in successfully managing the online presence of renowned figures and organizations, including Former Georgia House Minority Leader and Candidate for Governor Stacey Abrams. With a proven track record of strategic content curation, engagement, and brand elevation, she has played a pivotal role in shaping impactful narratives in the digital realm. Her proficiency in navigating the intersection of technology and communications has not only amplified voices but also fostered meaningful connections, solidifying her as a rising star in the field.