ABOUT ME
Hi, I’m Ashley —
writer, advocate, strategist, and consultant
I graduated from the University of Cincinnati (UC) in 2016 with a B.S. in Neuroscience. My interest in social justice catalyzed when I co-founded The Irate 8, a student-activist movement, on UC’s campus in response to the fatal police shooting of Samuel Dubose.
After graduation, I worked and organized at BYP100 as a Communications Manager. Now, I leverage my background in neuroscience, leadership, organizing, and social justice to create strategic communications and digital content for organizations, businesses, campaigns, and universities. For example, At the Movement for Black Lives (M4BL), I consult as a Digital Organizer, and recently took the digital lead on the BREATHE Act, a visionary, modern-day Civil Rights Act.
I write about social justice, identity, race, and politics for publications such as GQ, Playboy, Teen Vogue, The Root, and Essence Magazine. I also cover the State of the Union addresses annually as a part of Rep. Maxine Waters’ Millennial Media Row. Currently, I attend the College of Law at the University of Cincinnati with a full scholarship. I'm a fellow of the Nathaniel R. Jones Center for Race, Gender, and Social Justice, ensuring that my law study includes a grounding education in the way that law intersects with race, class, and gender.
Speaking Engagements
Student Government Fall Retreat
September 2019
Keynote & Facilitation: SG Works For Who?
McMicken & The African American Community
February 2019
Panel: Charles McMicken’s Legacy
Miami University Diversity and Inclusion Committee
July 2018
Keynote: Activism
Social Media Week
April 2017
Panel: From Slacktivism to Social Justice Warriors
WILL Social Justice Conference
March 2017
Panel: Social Action
Black Feminist Symposium
February 2017
Workshop: Moments vs. Movements
Ohio Consortium of Multicultural Centers in Higher Education Symposium
October 2016
Keynote: Student Activism or Proactive Measure to Create Institutional Change
NAACP 107th Annual National Convention
July 2016
Panel: Community Policing
Diversity and Inclusion Conference
March 2016
Keynote: The Irate 8
Innovate for Change
February 2016
Panel: Race and Higher Education
Elect Her
November 2015
Keynote: Servant Leadership
Cincinnati Social Media Week
February 2015
Panel: Social Media Influencers
Awards & Accolades
Academic Awards & Honors
Social Justice Fellowship
Presented by the Nathaniel R. Jones Center for Race, Gender, and Social Justice, August 2020
Cincinnatus Presidential Scholarship
August 2012 - August 2016
University Honors
August 2012 - August 2015
Other Awards & Honors
30 Under 30 Award
Presented by Cricket Wireless & 101.1 The Wiz, October 2020
Miss Black Ohio USA
November 2016-November 2017
Leisan Smith Founders Award
Presented by LGBTQ Center, April 2017
Marian Spencer Equity Ambassador Award
Presented by Office of Equity and Inclusion, March 2017
Black Girls Rock
Presented by Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Inc. April 2016
Spirit Of Cincinnatus Award
Presented by Cincinnatus Honorary Society
Student Trailblazer Award
Presented by African American Alumni Affiliate, February 2016
Sigma Phi Women’s Honorary
Awarded Membership, February 2016
National Undergraduate Social Activism Award
Presented by Sociologists for Women in Society, November 2015
Summer Commencement Ivy Chain
Presented by University of Cincinnati, August 2015
Usoni Award
Presented by African American Cultural and Resource Center, Feb 2015
CWEST Women's Honorary
Awarded Membership, February 2015
The Lambda Society
Awarded Membership, January 2015
Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honorary
Awarded Membership, January 2015