Giovanni Blair McKenzie

A born Jamaican and creative engineer, obsessed with entrepreneurship,

branding, and public relations, with a life-long dedication to social justice.

email: giovanniblairmc@gmail.com instagram:

twitter:
phone: 503-479-8499 @iamgiovanni
@darealgiovanni
linkedin: linkedin.com/in/giovanniblairmc following: 3,900+ following: 3,900+

medium: medium.com/@iamgiovanni

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Founder, Professional Speaker, Freelance Writer
Hybrid
MEDIA & MANAGEMENT
HYBRID Portland, OR Fall 2015-Present
A small, developing, media and management company, HYBRID is charged with the mission of managing the
speaking and writing career of its founder, Giovanni Blair McKenzie.

Speaking & Writing Clients:*

Southern Poverty Law Center Portland Public Schools
Human Rights Campaign The EDGY Task Force (CA)
Oberlin College PQ Monthly (OR) * Past & Current Accounts
Lewis & Clark College The True Colors Fund (NY)

Youth Ambassador
Human Rights Campaign Washington D.C. Fall 2014-Present
As the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for LGBT Americans, the Human Rights Campaign
represents a force of more than 1.5 million members and supporters nationwide all committed to making HRCs
vision a reality.
As an ambassador, on behalf of HRC, I:
Appear in recorded and print digital media;
Consult with staff on strategic planning;
Engage with campaigns on social media, and other HRC marketing efforts;
Attend & speak at events across the United States to address the positive impact HRCs programs and political
advocacy have on the lives of young people across the country, and help put a spotlight on the work that lies ahead.

Founder & Executive Director

Queer Intersections Portland Portland, OR Spring 2013-Fall 2015
Qi is one of two organizations in the United States, and the only West Coast organization, dedicated to empowering
and building leadership for LGBTQ youth of color.
As founder and executive director, I:
Directed the financial, logistical, and programatic operations of the organization;
Managed the Board of Directors, Council of young leaders, and a team of organizers;
Spearheaded development/fundraising operations including major gifts, house parties, annual fundraisers, grant-
writing, corporate donations, and corporate sponsorships;
Developed and maintained key partnerships with organizations local, regional, and national;
Pilot strategic planning and evaluations for individual programs, and the organization at-large;
Oversaw the organization's branding, marketing, and public relations.
 Communications & Operations Manager
Oregon Queer Youth Summit Portland, OR February - November 2014
OQYSthe largest gathering of LGBTQ youth in Oregonis a annual conference held by and for LGBTQ
identified youth and their allies. As communications & operations manager, I led a state-wide coalition to:
Lead the effort to rebranding OQYS to increase corporate sponsorship and youth involvement;
Established and nurture key relationships with venders, sponsors, donors, venues, and partners;
Managed event logistics, working directly with youth organizers, volunteers, and staff;
Managed marketing efforts using social and traditional media;
Coordinated and supported up to 50+ volunteers;

Assistant Event Producer, the Dignity Gala

Redlight Traffic Beverly Hills, CA/Seattle, WA/Portland, OR January 2013 - November 2013
Hosted by CNN anchorman Don Lemon, the Dignity Gala is a black-tie, red carpet, charity benefit at the famous
Beverly Hills Hilton in Los Angeles. As assistant to the event producer, I:
Served as the Event Producers deputy to manage the planning and the operations of the gala;
Directed a team dedicated to crisis management;
Assisted the establishment of key relationships with donors, corporate sponsors, and media partners.

63rd Governor of the Pacific Northwest

Key Club International March 2012- March 2013 (Member since 2008)
With 270,00 members in 37 countries, Key Club International is the oldest and largest service program for high
school students. Elected by the House of Delegates at the 63rd Annual Pacific Northwest District Convention in
Seattle, Washington, I, as the chief executive officer:
Directed a staff of 10, and a Board of Trustees of 57 elected representatives representing over 15,000 Key Club
members in the states of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Northern California, as well as the Canadian
province British Columbia and the territory of Yukon;
Planned and presided over seasonal 3-day board meetings in Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver;
Traveled frequently across the United States, Canada, and Jamaica to give speeches, presentations, and
workshops at numerous high schools, community events, and conferences;
Oversaw the planning of the annual District Convention in Seattle for over 2,000 Key Club members, Kiwanis
members, and community partners with a budget of over $500,000.00;
Established collaborative relationships with new key partners including the Seattle Saunders FC, the Seattle
Seahawks, and Bank of America to lead a fundraising campaign to support education in Jamaica.

Policy & Communications Intern

Office of the Chair & CEO, Jeff Cogan Multnomah County, Oregon Summer 2011
At the time, I was the youngest and only intern still in high school. During this internship, I:
Led a team of interns and communications staff to produce and direct It Gets Better: Multnomah County Board
of Commissioners, a public service announcement showcasing the county Board of Commissioners dedication
to end bullying;
Assisted the senior policy advisors with draft public policies, and review the impact and performance of major
county programs.

REFERENCES:
Marissa Madrigal
Chief Operating Officer
Multnomah County, Oregon
marissa.madrigal@multco.us
(503) 988-2999
Dr. Vincent Pompei Twiggy Pucci Garon
Director, Youth Well-Being Project Senior Program Officer
Human Rights Campaign True Colors Fund
vincent.pompei@hrc.org twiggy@truecolorsfund.org
(202) 347-5323 (212) 461-4401
AWARDS:
Light a Fire Award for Emerging Leader
Portland Monthly Magazine Fall 2015
Portland Monthlys Light a Fire Awards celebrate the organizations and
individuals who are working to make Portland more prosperous, beautiful,
healthful, and sustainable for all of our citizens.

Queer Hero of the Pacific Northwest

Gay & Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest Summer 2015
Queer Heroes of the Pacific Northwest honor a combination of risk, sacrifice,
service, example and inspiration from individuals, living or dead, who had
somehow helped make the world an easier place to be queer.

Governor Emeritus
Pacific Northwest District of Kiwanis International Spring 2015
Awarded by district administrator John Jay in recognition of a lifelong positive
impact and service to the Pacific Northwest District of Kiwanis International. Powerful
Human Rights Campaign
Safe Schools Award for Young Leader
Oregon Safe Schools & Communities Coalition September 2014
In recognition for young leadership at the forefront of addressing bullying and
harassment in Oregon schools.
Emerging Leader
Distinguished District Governor Award
Pacific Northwest District of Key Club International March 2013 Portland Monthly Magazine
In recognition to selfless service to the district as District Governor.

Robert F. Lucas Distinguished Lt. Governor Award

Key Club International July 2012 Giovannis insights
In recognition of Lt. Governors who have went above and beyond to expand
Key Club International's impact in their own constituent.
blew us away
Jennifer Beegle Youth Involvement Award Southern Poverty Law Center
Multnomah County, Oregon June 2012
In recognition to young leaders who honor the spirit of Jennifer Beegle, a
positive force for change in her community, a tireless volunteer, advocate for
youth in poverty, and a shinning example of the incredible power of young
people.

EDUCATION:
4-Year University Grant High School
Undecided Portland, OR
Major: Business Management 2010-2013
Applying Fall 2016