Nina Ball

Profile15+ years of teaching artist and upper-management experience in various environments including BLACK GIRLS ROCK! and The African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement (AFFRM) ,Art Sanctuary,Opera Philadelphia and several community-based projects. Flexible 3-dimensional cur-riculum creator, outgoing, creative and resourceful. Relatable with a strong work ethic, integrity and professionalism.

Experience

WRITING ASSOCIATE AND SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIST, THE MIGHTY ENGINE —2015-PRESENT• Researching,writing and editing for ad copy, proposals and online media

• Collaborative brainstorming and concept development

• Responsible for managing social media ( certification in progress)

PROGRAM COORDINATOR ,YEAR 2,HIP H’OPERA PROJECT — 2013-2014• Served as primary liaison between four urban high schools, Opera Philadelphia and Art Sanctu-

ary’s lead team.Oversaw daily program operations and evaluated program quality on-site and in-field.

• Met regularly with core team (E.D. of Art Sanctuary, and V.P. of Community Programs of Opera Philadelphia) and lead administrators regularly to consult, troubleshoot and coordinate for auxil-iary events.

• Interviewed and assisted in the hiring of teaching artists and assigned them to schools. Provided wrap-around support for all teaching artists.

• Wrote comprehensive reports and blog posts about progress and retention.

• Created organizational tools, supplies and documents program efficacy and student and teaching artists alike.

• Created and executed a hybrid creative writing curriculum at two ethnically diverse urban high schools on a weekly basis for the 2012-2013 school year..

NATIONAL COORDINATOR OF VOLUNTEERS,AFRICAN-AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL RELEASING MOVEMENT (AF-FRM)-2012- PRESENT

Nina Elizabeth Ball nball73@gmail.com hellolyrispect@gmail.com www.lyrispect.com

Nina Ball

• Overseeing the national operations of volunteers ( Mavericks) and execution of a campaign-spe-cific strategies for hand-selected grassroots independent black film releases. Leading by example with all social and physical assets.

• Reporting to,co-creating , managing and executing on-the-ground and social media strategy with lead/core team ( Founder, Managing Director, Marketing Director and Digital Strategist)

• Assisting with identifying and hiring Maverick Captains internationally.One-on-one trainer of all new Maverick Captains .

• Participating in weekly “Leaders Calls” with Film Festival heads nationwide during campaigns. Leading weekly Maverick Captain Calls. Motivating ,managing and engaging Captains and local leaders in New York, Philadelphia, D.C., Atlanta, Los Angeles and U.K., Oakland, Chicago,Texas,Florida and other markets with traveling visits and 101 attention as-needed.

• Co-coordinating “talent” and director visits including,co-coordinating screening,hospitality,makeup and press opportunities.

• Co-produced and presented original content for Maverick video and promotion.Co-maintaining Maverick database and disseminating new applications to local leaders.

• Created a release strategy& operations manual, vocabulary and culture to empower local and na-tional volunteers. Streamlining program for efficacy. Co-managing social media account for Mav-ericks.

• Fielding and creating new opportunities and partnerships for the organization.

DIRECTOR/CO-DIRECTOR OF CAMP OPERATIONS,BLACK GIRLS ROCK!; CAMP RAMAPO, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY,BARNARD COLLEGE ;NEW YORK, 2011,2012,2013,2014• Director over entire camp in its inaugural year. Primary on-site decision-maker.• Liaison between site and BGR! headquarters ( Brooklyn, New York).• Created and managed daily schedule for 30+ participants, oversaw nightly meetings and report

outs with BGR! and Camp Ramapo staff.Subsequently Co-Directed with similar duties and man-aged ( up to 50 campers and 10+ staff members) and taught original 3-dimensional curriculum on creative writing/public speaking titled “Spoken Work”.

• Assisted staff hiring process and camper selection. Served as core team member and application review committee.

• Overnight caretaker/mediator/one-on-one mentoring for 30 girls age 12-17• Primary photographer/videographer in inaugural year.• Coordinated nightly Empowerment Circles and final talent show. • Subsequently Co-Directed with similar duties and managed ( up to 50 campers and 10+ staff

members)• Taught original 3-dimensional curriculum on creative writing/public speaking titled “Spoken

Work”.

Nina Ball

LEAD CREATIVE WRITING INSTRUCTOR,BLACK GIRLS ROCK!; NEW YORK,NY- 2010-PRESENT• Created and executed a 3-dimensional curriculum on poetry /rap and performance,across vari-

ous artistic and information mediums. Addressed in-depth, themes of culture, self-love,race, col-orism,history,excellence,parallels,finding one’s own voice, dreams,and improving the world around them.

CREATIVE WRITING INSTRUCTOR,UPWARD BOUND UPENN CHAPTER; PHILADELPHIA, PENNSLYVANIA- 2012,2013,2014• Used suggested guidelines and aspiring outcomes to plan a curriculum based in creating writing

for underserved high school students taking college prep courses in the summer. Implemented similar lesson plans on introspection, growth and creative risk-taking.

TRANSITIONS SERVICES COORDINATOR,YOUTH BUILD; PHILADELPHIA,PA-2008-2011• One-on-one career counseling with students (former high school dropouts) including assisting

them with developing a career portfolio and transition services plan.• Execute career preparation days and events including Job Shadow Days, Internships, College Ac-

cess Days, Recruitments and Financial Aid workshops including help with F.A.F.S.A. form.• Tracked 200+ students’ yearly progress toward career goal placements in an excel database.• Met regularly with YouthBuild staff and Americorps service members to assess skill needs of indi-

vidual students including maintaining close working relationships with case management staff in their efforts to assist students with developing basic living skills and job readiness/retention and preparation.

• Assisted in building and implementing a curriculum of workshops and individualized instruction for students wishing to access colleges – 2-year, 4-year, vocational and community colleges.

EducationTemple University, Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, Bachelor of Arts, 2006

Baltimore School for the Arts, Theater Major, High School Diploma 2001

SkillsApplications: Microsoft Word, Outlook and Intermediate Excel, Microsoft XP, 98, 2003,Pages,Certi-fied in “Introduction to Restorative Practices.2+ years of volunteering and community service alongside Americorps and independent organizations, schools and initiatives such as the Beacon Center at Julia de Burgos, Congreso de Latinos Unidos and San Lucas Toliman,Guatemala

Nina Ball

Extended experience,references and recommendation letters available upon request.

BEGIN PERFORMANCE AND SPEAKING HIGHLIGHT DOCUMENT/LYRISPECTNina Lyrispect Ball nball73@gmail.com hellolyrispect@gmail.com www.lyrispect.com

LyrispectEducation:BA Temple University, Film & African American Studies 2006HS Diploma Baltimore School for the Arts- Theater Major 2001

Highlighted Performance Credits:Commissioned writer/speaker at NAACP National Convention Closing Dinner 2015“Represent Redux” Curator and PerformerPhiladelphia Museum of Art 2015

Black Girls Lead Conference, Columbia University/Barnard College 2015

“Open Expressions” Harlem,NY. 2015

Profiled as a “Maker” in all assets in complete Global Tourism Campaign 2014

Voice Over/original poem for #MakeItPHL campaign and African-American Chamber of Commerce advertisement “ The African-American Experience” 2014

Executive Producer, Harvest Open Mic and Showcase Experience ,World Cafe Live 2013-Present

Recurring Guest Curator/Performer “Art After 5” live show, and“Pay What You Wish Wednesdays” live show, Philadelphia Museum of Art 2013,2014,

Opening Act for Saul Williams’ “Volcanic Sunlight” Tour .World Cafe Live. Phila. 2013

Nina Ball

“PAFA After Dark” Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts 2012

CommissionedPerformer Opening (AAMP) Reception for Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts 2011 National Museum of American Jewish History,Fourth Wall Arts Salon,Performer

2011

Ladies of Hip-Hop Festival 2009The 2nd Annual Black Lily Film and Music Festival 2008A Night of True Magic with Mos Def & Lyrispect 2007“Soul Garden” with Dwele, Conya Doss and Fertile Ground 2007The Trumpet Awards “Black Cultural Explosion” ,Kenny Lattimore,Bellagio, Las Vegas 2007The Trumpet Awards “Black Cultural Explosion” with Eric Benet Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta,GA 2006"Passionate Rhymes, Rhythmic Stanzas" with Raheem Devaughn 2006Red Bull Word Clash National Street Poetry Competition. 3rd Place 2005

Articles & Publications:

The PreCursor by Lyrispect 2014

Main Course PHL, featured article 2014

Jump Magazine “The Jump Off”- featured artist, “A Spectrum of Talent” 2013

Betwixt, between, or beyond?: Negotiating ,Trans' formations from the Liminal Sphere of Contemporary Black Performance Poetry -Birgit Bauridl (quoted source & interviewee) Book.

2013

Peace is a Haiku Song, Dr. Sonia Sanchez and various artists (haiku contributor)2013

Peace is a Haiku Song 101 ( lessons plan contributor) 2013

Original Work “Poetry is Not a Luxury”,”Queen’s Summit” 2012

Nina Ball

Apiary Literary Magazine- original work “Queens Summit” 2011I Write Life Blog, “True Poetic Justice” 2011The Philadelphia Weekly 2010/2011The Temple News “Speaking Words and Spreading Truth” 2011The Philadelphia Daily News 2010The City Paper (Philadelphia) 2010The Daily Collegian,”Mos Def delivers Hip Hop to Amherst College” 2007SHE Magazine “Lyrispect Tells Where She gets her Inspiration” 2006

Writers Blocks Literary Newspaper 2005Featured Poet , Def Poetry Jam Website 2005

Presentations , Invited Lectures and Panels:

Black Girls Lead Conference, Columbia University/Barnard College 2015

“An Evening With Lyrispect” Milton Academy, Boston,MA. 2015

Year of the Black Woman Series, Inaugural Speaker, Muhlenberg College 2014

“Who You Callin' a B!*ch?: Hip Hop and Rape Culture” Uniquely You Summit, 2013

“Voices of Women Today and Tomorrow” Moonstone Readings “Hidden History” series 2013“Black Masculinity and Identity”,Speaker/Presenter ,New York University 2013

“Queens Tea”, Featured Speaker,University of Pennsylvania 2012

Artistry, Society and Sustainability, The Barnes Foundation 2013

Art Sanctuary’s ‘Celebration of Black Writing” , Moderator, Presenter

2011,2012,2013,2014

Ameri-Health Mercy Family of Companies , Performer/ Workshop Facilitator 2012

Art Sanctuary’s Celebration of Black Writing Sponsorship Breakfast , Presenter/Performer

Nina Ball

2012

1st Annual “SHE-RO” Awards Commissioned Work “She-Rose”, Presenter/Performer2012

“Poverty Beyond Numbers,” LIFT, Panelist, 2010

“Getting Real about HIV/AIDS”, Women’s Health Center/ Lyrical Playground, Panelist, 2010

Kodak, Women’s Leadership Conference, Northstar Network, Presenter,2006

National Service Learning Conference, Indigenous Service Forum, Presenter 2006

Poetic Contributions to Visual Art and Subject/Muse:“Water Get No Enemy (oshun)” by T.Elliot Mansa, Art Basel, Prizm Art Fair (subject) 2014

“Nefertiti, The Beautiful One” by Alvin Burts ( subject)Rush Corridor Gallery , “Drawn Truly” exhibit, Brooklyn, NY 2014

“Nefertiti, The Beautiful One” by Alvin Burts ( subject) , Art Basel Miami, 2013

Original Photograph and Wood Painting by Tatyana Fazlalizadeh (subject) 2013

“Earth-Toned Muse” Series by Bernard Collins (subject)2012,2013-Present

“Lyrispect”-“Artful Words” Series by Lavett D. Ore Ballard (featured subject,traveling piece)

2011-PresentOpening Reception for the “Free to Be” Exhibit. (African American Contributions to paris 1900-1940) Commissioned Poem for Josephine Baker “Supernova”African American Museum of Philadelphia 2011

Co-Lead Artist, “The Color of Your Voice” Mural, Mural Arts Program 2012Mural Arts Program-Contributing Poet to a Philadelphia Playground (Kenny Gamble) Mural Wall dedicated to a 9-year old

Nina Ball

victim of gun violence. 2011

“Soul Revival: A Poetic & Visual Experience”(poet/exhibitor/opening reception performer)Meroe Art Gallery,MD 2010

Film and Documentary Highlights:“Made in America” Documentary Ron Howard (unreleased footage)

2012/2013“Porch Light Initiative Mural ” Documentary Nigel Nobel 2012“Ursula Rucker: Poet”, Documentary (featured speaker)

2008“L.Y.R.I.S.P.E.C.T. Bringing it Off the Page” , Documentary 2006

Red Bull Word Clash Behind the Scenes,(featured) Documentary 2005HBO’s “The Corner”Ep.3: “Fran’s Blues”, Mini-series 2000

Honors ,Awards,Distinctions:

NAACP National Convention, Featured Closing Dinner Performer 2015

Silver Telly Internet/Online Video - Travel/Tourism category for Here for the Making: PHL & The African American Experience 2015

Asia Adams Save OUR Children Foundation, Positive Image Award 2013

Commissioned to honor Ntozake Shange with and Original Piece at her Lifetime Achievement Ceremony

2013Contributing writer to the “Peace is a Haiku Song” Anthology and subsequent curriculum guide

2013

Nina Ball

Invited Guest of the White House “An Evening of Poetry” 2011A gathering of distinguished and emerging poets and artists from around the nation with President and Mrs. Barack Obama 2011

“Real Deal”, “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child” & “Way With Words” Awards by the YouthBuild Class 2010

2010

Recipient of The Urban Arts Honor Society Award 2010

Invited Performer U.S. Coast Guard, Baltimore Area, MLK Day Tribute 2007

Recipient of Sonia Sanchez Women’s Studies Award 2005This scholarship is awarded to a continuing Temple student whose engagement and activism with women’s lives, the struggles and triumphs of people of color, or global and humanist themes demonstrates the potential to make a significant contribution to social justice and the arts.

National Black Theater Festival, Selected “Noon Readings” Playwright for Original One-Act, “Her-story” 2001

Center Stage Young Playwright’s Festival, Original One-Act “Her-story”

2001

NAACP Act-So Competition 2001

References and extended work-history available upon request!