Chris Atwell, Writer
Chris is a freelance writer who specializes in speeches, scripts, Web copy and media materials. Chris’ recent work on the American Federation for the Blind website, Senior Site, was recognized with a 2008 Silver Communicator Award. He is currently the speechwriter for Earl G. Graves, Sr., the publisher and CEO of Black Enterprise magazine, where he also writes scripts for the annual Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Award Gala.
Chris has penned speeches and scripts for a host of celebrities, public officials and business leaders, including Danny Glover, Julian Bond and Al Roker. Prior to going out on his own, Chris was a senior writer at the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, where he wrote speeches for the organization’s president, Gloria Feldt, and prepared scripts for Planned Parenthood’s corps of celebrity supporters, such as Kathleen Turner, Mathew Broderick and Blythe Danner. Earlier in his career, Chris was a staff reporter for the City Sun, a Brooklyn-based African-American weekly, where he received an Excellence in Journalism award from the New York Guardians Association.
Warren Kass, Graphic Designer, Kass Communications
Warren is an award-winning graphic designer and creative director with deep experience in both the for-profit and non-profit worlds. His corporate clients have included Häagen-Dazs, the Bank of New York, Minolta, National Geographic and KLM Airlines, among others. Warren’s logo, packaging, brochure and direct mail designs have launched many successful advertising campaigns that helped his clients increase sales and garnered dozens of creative awards from his peers.
Warren and his wife, Jane, are committed volunteers for the American Cancer Society, recently traveling to Washington to lobby Congress for increased funding for cancer research. For years Warren has served as a facilitator/leader for the society’s Man-to-Man Support Group. He is also a board member of Alumni & Friends of LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, an organization that raises funds to provide scholarships for gifted students.
J. Diane Redd, Senior Development Consultant
Diane Redd’s substantial career in development and fundraising spans more than 15 years. With special expertise in foundation giving and major gifts, Diane has also supervised successful capital campaigns and directed annual giving efforts. She has worked on issues relevant to higher education, women’s reproductive health and rights, civil rights and racial equity, as well as medical research and legal defense.
Throughout her career Diane has demonstrated strong abilities to partner with program staff, board and C-suite executives to attract funds, friends, influence and support for the organizations she serves. She has held senior development positions with Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the Foundation Fighting Blindness, among others, and has forged enduring relationships with leading US and international funders.
What We're Reading
I’m certain that viewers watching the NBC broadcast of the Olympics this month will not be seeing Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, a skid row neighborhood where author Gabor Mate cares for hard core drug addicts and works with a team of other professionals who are trying to reduce the harm that addiction causes. Mate describes a gritty world where women sell their bodies for a hit of cocaine and men turn to lives of thievery or worse to maintain a heroin or coke habit. In the midst of this, an institution called the Portland Hotel meets addicts where they are, offering a clean room, decent food and medical care. Addicts are encouraged to get clean and sober, but not required to do so prior to getting services. This technique is called “harm reduction” and Mate sees it as a far more effective form of intervention than the law enforcement model that dominates society’s current approach to the problem.
more >