“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Stephanie A. Walker Stradford
Honored by the Governor of Maryland as a Woman of Achievement, Stephanie Stradford maintains the philosophy that effective communication is the key to efficient management.
A dynamic public relations manager, speaker and writer, Stephanie often consults with CEO's, board members, government agencies, universities, ministries and non-profit organizations on overall internal or external communications and marketing strategies. Stephanie’s career was launched with National Broadcasting Company (NBC) in Washington, D.C. As a technical engineer for WRC-TV, WRC-AM and WKYS-FM Radio, she was frequently assigned to The White House and Capital Hill. During her tenure, Stephanie worked with the Today Show, Meet the Press and Nightly News.
Her outstanding accomplishments were rewarded with promotions to sales representative, producer, talk show host, community affairs director, and director of press and publicity. As a result of the many public outreach campaigns instituted by Stephanie, consumer support for the stations significantly increased and the number of legal challenges drastically decreased. She initiated and managed several innovative broadcast projects, including the college internship program for the NBC radio stations in Washington, D.C.; produced over 500 public affairs programs on issues of relevance to youth, women, African Americans, Asians and Hispanics; created the Veteran of the Day daily broadcast; produced the first local radio Job Alert and Jobathon broadcasts for persons who were unemployed or underemployed; and, convinced the stations to simulcast a two-hour prison special with audience phone calls entitled, Live from Lorton, which she produced and moderated.
Since her broadcasting career, Stephanie has conceptualized and managed several promotional strategies, special events, conferences, and hospitality or tourism projects for the private and public sector, including the Washington Convention Center; the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce; International Certified Financial Planners Association; United Neighborhood Centers of America; Embassy of the Ivory Coast; Bethune-DuBois Institute; Children's National Medical Center; Howard University Faculty Senate and School of Divinity; Rosa Parks' National Birthday Tribute, A Salute to Duke Ellington at the Kennedy Center; A Tribute to the late Secretary of Commerce, Ronald H. Brown; National Political Congress of Black Women; National Minority Purchasing Council; National Association of Black County Officials; ROOTS author Alex Haley; George Mason University; Journalist Carl Rowan's Race War in Rhodesia film premier; A&T University; Muhammad Ali; NAACP; Adams Morgan Day City Festival; Philippine Embassy; Project Harvest Food Drive; Haitian Embassy; National Black Caucus of State Legislators; A Better Chance; National Conference of Black Mayors; SUMMIT 2000; the African Methodist Episcopal Church; National Business League; The Annual Youth Achievement Awards; and, the world famous Count Basie Orchestra.
Stephanie, along with The Honorable Pat Schroeder and The Honorable Delano E. Lewis, brought the plight of Somalia children and their families to the attention of the Washington, D.C. and New York press. In her quest to motivate youth and young adults for success, she serves as Chair and Interim CEO for Youth Achievers USA Institute, a Delaware nonprofit corporation headquartered in the Atlanta, GA Federal Reserve Region.
As a former president of the Black Public Relations Society of Washington, D.C., Stephanie often delivers speeches on preparing Workforce 2010 for a 21st century global economy. An avid practitioner of lifelong learning and earning, Stephanie is computer literate and a strong advocate for combining “high tech” with “high touch.” Currently, she is promoting mobile technical assistance missions to underserved communities to help facilitate youth development for “at-risk” youth. Her goal is to increase faith-based and community capacity, while engaging adults in holistic youth development programs that help youth to successfully transition from childhood to young adulthood. Stephanie is the co-author of TheEnterpriZe…from slaveship to spaceship. Her awards and commendations are numerous.
She is married to Eric Stradford, a retired Vietnam era veteran, United States Marine Corps. Mr. Stradford is an information specialist, skilled in website development and E-Commerce.
FORMAL EDUCATION
NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY, IN - Summer Institute in Advanced Communications. Program sponsored by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). Advanced certificate for outstanding completion.
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK - B.A., Speech Communications. Major courses in radio and television. Supporting courses in journalism, marketing and business.
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA - Attended freshman and sophomore years. Major courses in sociology and psychology. Transfer student.
PHILADELPHIA HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, PA - College Preparatory High School Diploma. Four (4) year Senatorial Scholarship.
PROMINENT AWARDS, CITATIONS AND RECOGNITION
n PUBLICATIONS: Listed in Who's Who of American Women and Who's Who of Black Americans
n NONPROFIT: Recognized by the Easter Seal Society, Girl Scouts of America and United Way
n BUSINESS: Citations from the Natl. Alliance of Business and American Business Women's Assn.
n PROFESSIONAL: White House Women's Network and Natl. Hook-Up of Black Women
n ARTICLES: New York Times, Washington Post, Prince Georges County Journal (MD) and P.G. Post
PORTFOLIO OUTLINE
n Motivational Speaker: Preparation for Workforce 2010 and Beyond; Time is $$$; Planning the Right Memorable Event or Conference; 21st Century PR; African-American History is American History; From Generation X to America's Leadership; and, Getting to Know Your Inner Spirit.
n Chair & Interim CEO, Youth Achievers USA Institute
n Charter Member & Past President: The Black Public Relations Society of Washington, D.C
n Co-founder: Washington Area Media Organization and Washington Media Pioneers
n National Facilitator: 1994 NAACP Corporate Fair Share Networking Forum in Orlando, FL
n Member: Ebenezer A.M.E. Church (Ft. Washington, MD)
n Former Teacher: Washington, D.C. and P.G. County Public School Systems
n Former Union Member: NABET and AFTRA
n Former Board Member: University of Maryland Dance Theater
PRESS CONFERENCES, PRESS RELEASES, PUBLICATIONS & SPEECHES
n Numerous speaking engagements, including University of Maryland, Women in Communications, A&T University, University of the District of Columbia, Bloomsburg University (PA), National Political Congress of Black Women, Howard University, Girl Scouts of America, Morgan University and many others.
n The Bethune-DuBois Institute
n George Mason University Press Conferences, Releases and Newsletters
n Wash. Convention Center Grand Opening, "Capital City Festival", Press Conference and Releases
n The Aerospace Center Groundbreaking Ceremony and Press Conference
n The Investor's Exchange Marketing Brochures
n The Embassy of the Ivory Coast Press Releases
n The Girl Scouts of America National PR Conference Speech
n Boone Young & Associates - Publication Writing for Various Clients
n The Haitian Embassy Press Conference and Releases
n Verizon (formerly C & P Telephone Company) Display Ads and Customer Brochures
n Princeton Electric Company's Sales Presentation and Corporate Capabilities Package
n Natl. Black Caucus of State Legislators Press Conferences, Releases and Souvenir Journals
n The National Urban League Press Releases and Press Conferences
n Natl. Rainbow Coalition Press Conference and Releases for the "Back to School Campaign"
n Sigma Systems, Inc. Copy, Layout, Design of Marketing Brochures and Capabilities Package
n The Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce Press Conference and Releases
n The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Speeches
n The Rosa Parks National Birthday Tribute Souvenir Journal and Project Consultant
n Muhammad Ali vs. Alfredo Evangelista Press Conference and Releases
n Cavalier Men's Shop Press Releases and Sales Promotions
n Writing, Editing, Layout & Design for former Kennedy Press Secretary, Frank Mankiewitz
n The NAACP Florida State Conference Speech
n The Second Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church Press Releases
n The Second Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church Souvenir Journal
COMMUNICATIONS, PR, PROMOTION, MARKETING, & ADVERTISING
n Promotion and product marketing for Verizon (C&P Telephone), Pepsi-Cola, International Harvester, Coca-Cola, The Ford Motor Company, Burger King, the Motion Picture Association of America and other Fortune 500 companies.
n George Mason University Public Relations and Special Events
n The Maryland University Dance Theater
n A Better Chance Educational Fundraising Campaign and Gala (D.C. & MA)
n Channel 9 Television's (CBS), "Race War in Rhodesia" Film Premiere for Carl Rowan
n Grand Opening of the Washington Convention Center and Capital City Festival
n Easter Seal Telethon Talent Coordination (Channel 20 Television)
n Pre-opening "Underground Salute" for the METRO Center ("G" Street, Northwest)
n Adams-Morgan Day Festival (8 yrs.) and Maryland Enoch Pratt Library Campaign
n WHUR Radio's, "PROJECT HARVEST" for needy families (2 years)
n The Great Talent Showcase (Warner Theater)
n Gospel Showcase '92 (Washington Hilton Hotel)
n The Neighborhood Centers of America Fundraising Gala at the Hotel Pierre (NY)
n The Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King Celebration (D.C. Armory)
n Political Campaigns for D.C. City Council members, John Wilson and H.R. Crawford
n Political Campaign for P.G. County (MD) Council member, Hilda Pemberton
n Washington, D.C. Voting Rights Campaign for The Honorable Walter Fauntroy
n Independence Bank of Washington, D.C. Community Outreach Campaign
n The John F. Kennedy Center: "Salute to Duke Ellington" and the "KWAME" Awards
n The Bethune-Dubois Institute Annual Banquet
n The Count Basie Orchestra at the historic Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C.
n The Alex Haley Washington D.C. Book Tour and Small Business Luncheon featuring "ROOTS"
n The Rosa Parks National Birthday Celebration and Film Premiere
CONFERENCES, SEMINARS & TRADE SHOWS
n The International Certified Financial Planners Association Annual Conference (VA)
n The Children's National Medical Center Child Abuse Conference and Gala (D.C.)
n The National Minority Purchasing Council Convention (VA)
n The National Business League Annual Convention (D.C. & GA)
n Capital Landmark Associates Presentations (D.C.)
n The National Business League Hispanic Confab (FL)
n The East of the River Health Center Seminars (D.C.)
n The Girl Scouts of America National PR Conference (MD)
n The Nat'l Black Caucus of State Legislators Conference (D.C., Virgin Islands, Nevada)
n The National Joint Conference of Black Mayors, State Legislators & County Officials (D.C.)
n The National Political Congress of Black Women's Biennial Convention (D.C.)
n The Minority Business Opportunity Commission Trade Fair and Conference (D.C.)
n Minority Enterprise Development Week (MED WEEK - D.C.)
n The NAACP Annual Convention (TX) and Regional Conference (FL)
n The D.C. Chamber of Commerce Annual Conference & Banquet (D.C.)
n The 203rd & 204th Annual Founder's Day Convocation of the A.M.E. Church
VIDEO PRODUCTION, SLIDE PRESENTATIONS, COMMERCIALS & SCRIPTS
n The City Baltimore Enoch Pratt Library Public Service Announcements & Display Ads
n The John Hechinger, Sr. for D.C. Committeeman Television and Radio Commercials
n The National Urban Coalition 25^th Anniversary Video Script & Production (Larry King, CNN)
n The Washington Convention Center "Capital City Festival" Radio and Television PSA's
n The D.C. Chamber of Commerce Script and Production of Multi-Projector Slide Presentation
n Radio Commercials for Sable Point Housing
n Radio Commercials for Cavalier Men’s Shop
n Sigma Systems, Inc. Sales Script and Video Production
n A Journey Through Zeta Phi Beta National Sorority Video Script and Production Consultant
n Project Hope House Video Script and Production Consultant
n The U.S. Committee for Somali Refugee Relief, Inc. Public Service Announcements
n The Stork's Nest Video Script and Production Consultant (Zeta Phi Beta Sorority)
n Ebenezer A.M.E. Church Historical Slide Presentation
n The James Farmer Tribute Public Service Announcements
n The Great Talent Showcase Radio Commercials
n Adams- Morgan Day Radio and TV Public Service Announcements
n Motorcycle Safety Week in the District of Columbia