Shaunice Hawkins, Small Business Consultant and Social Brand Strategist

Shaunice Hawkins

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Shaunice Hawkins

Author

Brand Strategist

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Biography

BIOGRAPHY

Shaunice Hawkins - executive brand strategist, professional reputation builder, business consultant and content architect - is chief executive officer and lead strategist of Evolutions Consulting, a social branding boutique specializing in growing brand visibility, strengthening audience engagement and increasing social footprints.Described by her peers as the "Ambassador for Diversity" and "Chief Passion Officer", Hawkins is best known for being a "playmaker" - one who builds strategic partnerships and alliances with key leaders, influencers and stakeholders to drive results. As an adjunct professor and lecturer, she teaches around the U.S. on standard business practices, organizational behavior and communication, employee and labor relations, diversity and inclusion, workplace culture and race relations.As a speaker, she leads keynotes, facilitates workshops, moderates and participates in panel discussions for academia, businesses, religious institutions and not-for-profit organizations such as the Girl Scouts of America, Procter & Gamble, ESPN, Chubb Insurance Co., The Young Women's Leadership Network, Exceptional Women in Publishing, Howard University, Rutgers University, Central State University, Cornell University NYSSILR, Drake University, New York University, Magazine Publishers of America, National Association of Multicultural Media Executives, Network & Affinity Leaders Congress, New York Urban League, U.S. Department of Agriculture, UNITY Journalists of Color, Inc., University of Kentucky the New York City Department of Employment, Churches of Our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith Inc., and the Bibleway Churches Worldwide. Hawkins’s insights have been profiled on a number of syndicated radio talk shows and in various local, regional and national publications including Heart & Soul Magazine, AMNewYork, Black Enterprise, DiversityInc., Diversity Woman, FOLIO:, Maynard Institute’s Journalisms.com, MOSO Nation, The New York Observer, NV Magazine, TimeOut New York, Advertising Age and Target Market News.Previously, Hawkins served as Vice President of Member Services where she led all aspects of the multi-million dollar member services program for Magazine Publishers of America (MPA) and its membership of over 200 publishing houses, 1200 magazine companies, 100 vendors/suppliers and 80 international media companies. Before transitioning into that role, Hawkins served as MPA's chief Diversity & Multicultural Initiatives officer for several years where she was charged with working with media industry, corporate board executives, magazine publishers and editors to create, execute and promote diversity and inclusion initiatives that recruit, include, retain and advance a diverse workforce within the consumer magazine industry. During her tenure, she published several widely distributed media publications and resources such as How to Build a Career in Magazines, Succeeding in Magazines, Moving Up the Magazine Masthead, Making the Switch to Magazines, Creating Your Personal Brand, How to Become a Successful Freelancer, Networking 101: Your Keys to Success, The Success of Diversity Within the Magazine Industry (with Dr. Ella L.J. Edmonson Bell of Dartmouth University), The MPA Diversity Benchmarking Study (with Prof. Charles Whitaker of Northwestern University), the MPA Diversity Update, and MPA's online Diversity Resource Center.Prior to joining MPA, Hawkins spent nearly a decade in financial services (Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.; Prudential Securities, LLC; Prudential Financial, Inc.; Wachovia Securities, LLC.) in various business and diversity-related roles, lastly as Assistant Vice President and Corporate Relationship Manager of Diversity & Workforce Effectiveness. Hawkins served as an employment mediator for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and currently serves as a private civil mediator with the NJ Association of Professional Mediators.Hawkins has served on the boards of Exceptional Women in Publishing (EWIP), the National Association of Multicultural Media Executives (NAMME), MOSO (Mono-/Solo-Entrepreneur) Nation, Scientific Journals International (SJI) and AutoWordLink, Inc. (AWL) and holds affiliations with a number of professional associations including the Society for Human Resources Professionals (SHRM) and the Advertising Women of New York (AWNY). She (co)founded a number of business resource and affinity groups (including Prudential Financial's Black Executive Forum and the magazine industry's Multicultural Leadership Council). Personally committed to shaping youth leadership, Hawkins has served as former chair of the Jefferson Elementary School Diversity Council in Maplewood, NJ; sponsor of the A. Philip Randolph Campus High School Journalism Program in West Harlem, NY; and sponsor of the NYU Urban Journalism Workshop in New York City. She developed and managed Prudential Securities's Financial Internship Program (2000-2004) and MPA's Annual Career Insight Conference (2005-2009) to introduce high school and college students to financial services and to the consumer magazine industry respectively. Hawkins also developed and produced Grammy-winner Pharrell Williams's 2010 National Kidult Youth Leadership Conference, providing over 500 "kidults" (youth between the ages of 14 and 20) with the tools and resources needed to become better leaders, entrepreneurs and global citizens.Hawkins is a graduate of St. John's University, New York University, Cornell University, Tulane University, Villanova University, Rutgers University and Northeastern University with undergraduate and graduate degrees, post-graduate certifications and professional designations in a variety of business strategy, traditional and digital marketing, social media, communications and diversity and human capital management disciplines. She has been nationally recognized as a "dynamic achiever" for her 20+ year, multi-industry career and for her body of work in the fields of business management, marketing and promotions, branding, strategic planning, diversity and inclusion, and human capital management.Hawkins is the author of the book, Passion...Who Needs It? A Practical, Action-Oriented Exploration of Passion and Purpose, and Steps You Can Take If Your Inner Fire Has Burned Itself Out and guest columnist for several publications. She resides in New Jersey with her husband and their teenage children.

Shaunice Hawkins
Shaunice Hawkins
Shaunice Hawkins

Book

About

ABOUT THE BOOK

When it comes to advice for finding success in your business or personal life, one of the most often-cited suggestions with 21st Century coaches, gurus, and talk shows hosts is ‘Find your passion.’The advice is sound...but incomplete. The problem is that these suggestions assume that people know what passion is, but in truth, few people truly understand its meaning. And without that key puzzle piece, trying to ‘find your passion’ is like looking for a needle in a haystack, without having any idea what the needle actually looks like.When you’re unsure of what ‘find your passion’ means exactly and clueless as to what actions to take to discover your inner fire, you have no choice but to continue doing the same things you’ve always done. You’re frustrated, confused, and envious of others who seem to have such clarity about the path they should follow while you wait and wonder.Have you been waiting for your passion to find you? Many people do. They wait for the moment that passion will reveal itself like a thunderbolt of inspiration and tell them what they should do with their lives. Sadly, when the answer doesn’t materialize, these lost people decide that ‘passion’ is something that other people have. Instead of embarking on a joyful journey to discover their passion, they stay stuck in place. “I don’t have passion” becomes their way of life.It doesn’t have to be that way! Trust me when I tell you that there is passion within you. It burns brightly with an incandescent fire that will ignite your life. The problem is that you just can’t see it...yet. This book was created to open your eyes to your potential...your possibilities...and most of all, your passion. It's been written so that you can live a happier, more fulfilled life.Page by page, you'll:» Name and identify feelings of grief, loss of purpose and helplessness» Understand what you are feeling» Learn strategies on how to renegotiate the sense of loss» Turn the lack of direction into focus for the accomplishment of more positive ambitionsYou will also find equal measures of instruction, advice, coaching and motivation to help you reconnect with the inspired and motivated person you once were.

Media

MEDIA

Radio

"Passion...Who Needs It?"

"Use Passion To Fuel Success"

Author Interview - Shaunice Hawkins.mp3

Use Passion to Fuel Success

"Get Out of Your Own Way"

Getting Out of Your Own Way.mp3

Magazine

"Turning Your Passion Into Success"

"Get In Touch With Your Passion"

"7 Steps to Transforming Your Life"

"Superwoman, Save Yourself With Passion"

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DOWNLOADS

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Signed/Personalized Copies

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Passion...Who Needs It? today.

Signed copies are $20.00 per book, including U.S. shipping & handling. Books are shipped within one week of processed payment. To order personalized copies, use the Contact Form to send an email with your name, email address, PayPal payment confirmation no. and the name(s) of the person(s) you wish the book(s) to be addressed. Bulk purchases of 10 or more books available at a discounted rate (email for details).

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Appearances

Appearances
2012"Transition and Change" Panel Discussion, Advertising Women of New York, New York, NY2012 WomEn's Conference, Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce, Eagan, MN2012 National Diversity Women's Business Leadership Conference, Washington, DCThe Burning Bush Book Store Literary Event Series w/Ellis & Tina Still, New JerseyPrevious Appearances2011 State of Young Black New York, National Urban League, New York Urban League jt. New York Urban League Young Professionals, New York, NYGeneration X Diversity Practitioner Think Tank, Washington, DCRe-Energize Your Career Virtual Conference with Regina BarrThe Extra Effort Forum Online Talk Radio with Andrew CarrAgape Family Worship Center's Annual Women's Retreat, Vernon, NJRed Ladder Online Talk Radio Author Interview with Regina Barr2011 National Diversity Women's Business Leadership Conference, Washington, DCWomen of Color Leadership Book Club Literary Event, Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, Whitehouse Station, NJ2010 Multicultural Women’s National Conference, New York, NY2010 National Diversity Women's Business Leadership Conference, Washington, DC2010 Network & Affinity Leadership Congress, New York, NY2010 USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service Diversity Training Conference, Washington, DC2010 Wichita Small Business Monthly Women's Conference, Wichita, KSA. Philip Randolph Campus High School, New York, NYPassion...Who Needs It? Book Signing Event, East Hanover NJPassion...Who Needs It? Book Signing Event, Montclair, NJPassion...Who Needs It? Book Signing Event, Philadelphia, PACentral State University, Wilberforce, OHChurches of Our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith Inc., Various Cities, USCollege Media Advisors Annual Conference, New York, NYCornell University Institute for Workplace Studies, New York, NY (Guest Lecturer)Diversity Woman Business Conference, Greensboro, NCDrake University, Des Moines, IAESPN Women's Development Conference, Hartford, CTGirl Scouts of America 51st National Convention, Indianapolis, INHoward University Annual Cover 2 Cover Conference, Washington, DCIBN Inspirational Radio Show, Rahway, NJKidult Youth Leadership Conference, New York, NYMagazine Publishers of America, New York, NY (Diversity Spokesperson)National Association of Multicultural Media Executives, Washington, DCNew York City Department of Employment, New York, NY (Facilitator)New York University School of Continuing Education, New York, NY (Guest Lecturer, Diversity)Philly In The Know Radio Show, Philadelphia, PAProcter & Gamble African-American Women's Summit, Cincinnati, OHRainbow PUSH/Wall Street Project Jt. Urban Financial Services Coalition "From Pocket to Portfolio" Financial Conference, New York, NYRutgers University, New Brunswick, NJState University of New York, Empire State College, New York, NY (Adjunct Faculty)The Young Women's Leadership Network, New York, NYUNITY Journalists of Color Conference, Chicago, ILUniversity of Kentucky School of Journalism, Lexington, KYWomen in Periodical Publishing Women's Leadership Conference, San Francisco, CA"Workin' It Out " Online Talk Radio with Dr. Vanessa WeaverYou 2.0 Conference, New York, NYYoung Entrepreneurs Conference, Urban League, New York, NY

Blog

Evolve U: Continuing Education for the Mind, Spirit & Soul
I'll Take My Innovation Shaken, Not Stirred Please…I don't know about you, but these days, with record-breaking temperatures peaking over 100o, I'm constantly on the hunt for an ice cold drink. Doesn't matter if it's homemade lemonade served in a frosted mug, sweet tea sun-brewed in a mason jar or a virgin mango margarita poured into a sugar and lime-rimmed cocktail glass. As long as it's cold and refreshing, I'm a happy camper. However, there are some folks who are a bit more particular about what they drink and how it's prepared. Some like their libations in bright, colorful hues. Others like theirs decorated with trinkets or mini-umbrellas. Few prefer "shaken, not stirred" with a twist (whatever that means) and an olive.Not being a consumer of alcohol, I always found the significance of shaking a drink, rather than stirring it curious so I did a little research and discovered that "shaken, not stirred" had distinct meaning and purpose. Cocktails generally contain ingredients that aren't naturally harmonious (e.g. fruit juices, bar salts and sugars, liquors). Purists prefer their cocktails to be stirred so that the flavors remain distinct. Radicals favor their cocktails shaken so the inharmonious ingredients are melded and chilled together, creating a non-traditional but harmonious blend. Pondering this concept a little further (or simply delusional from the high temperatures), I realized another thing best shaken, not stirred: INNOVATION. Like a cocktail, innovation often brings together inharmonious elements to produce non-traditional but harmonious blends. Look around your office. Your space is filled with non-traditional, harmonious blends. Post-It Notes: scrap paper + tape. Retractable highlighters: highlighter + retractable pen. Business Card Scanner…the list goes on. The point is that someone just like you, sitting at a desk similar to yours decided to shake things up a bit (pun intended) by bucking tradition and discovered something amazing!Sometimes our greatest ideas are staring us in the face but boredom, complacency and apathy taint our lenses. Because we view what's around us as traditional, commonplace and/or ordinary, we miss out on opportunities. Today, I challenge you to change your perception.How to Shake Things UpLet Go – There's a world full of promise awaiting you if you're willing to discard your old ways of thinking. Let go of the idea that what motivated you in the past will continue motivate you now. What you "stirred" then may not mix well tomorrow. Realign Your Focus – Over the years, growth and experience have given you different perspectives, skill sets and different value emphases. When you recognize and accept that a mind-shift has taken place, your focus will realign, your passion will reignite, and new ideas will begin to flow effortlessly.Get Curious – Curiosity is the basis of innovation. Whatever the subject matter, shake off your current understandings and begin from the view that you are almost completely ignorant on the subject. Then look for novelty to boost your interest.Approach Everything Like a Game – Give yourself rules, objectives and strategic constraints. The more creative thinking required, the better. Express Who You Are – Find hidden opportunities for self-expression in every task. This could mean inventing a style for folding clothes. Changing the format you write code in or altering the style of your presentation. View each activity as an act of expression and originality.Shake Things Up – Status quo routines are sure to kill any passion. For boring tasks, make them more difficult. For frustrating tasks, make them easier. This can be done by varying the speed or constraints you need to complete a task. Boring chores can be made more interesting by setting a time-limit. Frustrating assignments can be made easier by allowing yourself an awful first-draft instead of perfection. Whatever chore you must perform, find a way to glean an innovation out of it.Here's to you and your success. CHEERS!

For more posts, visit www.evolve-u.net

Accolades

PRAISE
“I met Shaunice Hawkins in 2003 during an event that she hosted for the Urban Financial Services Coalition - New York Chapter, while working at Prudential Financial, that was one of our most organized and successful events. I have had the pleasure of keeping in touch with Shaunice as she has moved on and up in her career at MPA. One of Shaunice’s recommendations said that she is an Ambassador of Diversity, I concur. She is helping to level the economic playing field, by assisting those whom have participated in here programs at MPA and through her volunteer work, that a diversified workplace is not only reflective American consumers but is good for any corporation’s bottom line. Shaunice is a passionate speaker, an intense listener, a great leader and a great resource. She inspires those that she knows to work harder towards excellence. I feel extremely fortunate that she is in my network."Andrew T. Carr Former Executive Director, Rainbow PUSH Wall Street Project Past International Ambassador, Urban Financial Services Coalition “Detailed, strategic, smart and together are just a few words that first come to mind when I think about Shaunice Hawkins. Gracious, caring and supportive are others. I have worked with Shaunice for many years throughout my career in various capacities and know her to be a person of her word who utilizes all of her resources, makes good business judgment and is committed to getting the job done. To say that Shaunice is motivational and an incredible force in this industry would be saying too little. When it comes to the work, she is all about business and getting the best results for the company but does it always with a huge smile, such a positive attitude, tremendous care and decency making it easy to forget that it is "work.” Stephanie ScottDirector, Marketing & Communications, 3LAB Skincare“I met Shaunice Hawkins at one of MPA's networking events back in 2005. We've since kept in touch and Shaunice has been of great help to me with the launch of my magazine. Shaunice has taken the time out to point me in the right direction of ad rep firms, resources and countless other tools I've found to be quite useful in my venture. Shaunice is a wonderful person with a beautiful disposition who doesn't see impossible as an option. I'm sure in her career she comes across many start-ups, but she has shown that she cares about each and everyone as though they were the only ones. Shaunice has my admiration, my recommendation and I am truly inspired by her integrity and dedication to her publishers.” Andre ColeyPublisher/CEO, The FEATURE™ Magazine “Shaunice is amazing. She's incredibly smart, creative and hard working. She accomplishes things in days or weeks that would take others months or years. Along with being a terrific business person, she has a wonderful, warm personality with a really big heart. I expect big things from her in the future.” Beth CarvinPresident/CEO, Nobscot Corporation“When I think of "leader" I think of Shaunice Hawkins. She is a consummate professional who knows when to listen and when to act. She is sensitive and respectful of the points of view of others, and a skilled negotiator who works thoughtfully and with integrity to find a productive solution for all. In short, she is a result-oriented professional who knows how to achieve the goal at hand, on time and on budget. I highly recommend her.” Charlotte BarnardPrincipal, Barnard Partnership“First allow me to say that as tremendous a professional as Shaunice is, she is that much more incredible a person. That said, Shaunice's passion complemented by her personality and professionalism allowed her to introduce the virtually foreign concept of managing Diversity & Inclusion to the entire magazine industry. Many individuals who have been exposed to one of the MPA Diversity events under her leadership have been inspired to bring a heightened awareness back to their respective organizations - in several cases they have even begun formal initiatives. There are few greater Ambassadors for Diversity than Shaunice Hawkins.” Derrick Phillip IICorporate Circulation Sales Manager, Harvard Business Review “Shaunice is one of the most organized, thoughtful and analytical people I know. She is quick to offer her creativity and energy and never turns away a challenge. One of her other key traits is her ability to work with a team - as a leader or participant. She's able to drive results on deadline and in a thorough manner.” Neil FootePresident/CEO, Foote Communications, LLC “I had the good fortune to meet Shaunice while I directed a summer program journalism program for urban youth at New York University. Shaunice went to great lengths to support the program with a generous grant, by helping to identify other major contributors and with her inspiring presence at the graduation ceremonies. Shaunice is not only a consummate professional but she is also a wonderful person who anyone would be blessed to count as an employee, colleague, associate or friend.” Professor Pamela NewkirkSchool of Journalism, New York UniversityPulitzer Prize Winner & Author, Letters from Black America“Shaunice is an expert in magazine publishing, social networking, and web marketing. She has provided valuable consultation to my company on our current multimedia expansion. I also benefited from her success at the Magazine Publishers Association, where she helped bring dirversity to the organization and and helped it increase membership among ethnic minority magazine owners.” Randi PaytonPresident & CEO, On Wheels Media , Inc.“I have known Shaunice for many years since her responsibilities at MPA. She has been an awesome resource to me and my business. In addition, she is a very hard worker and she's extremely intelligent. I wish she was on my team. Shaunice is organized, efficient, extremely competent, and has an excellent rapport with people of all ages. Her communication skills, both written and verbal, are excellent. In summary, I highly recommend her to anyone who seeks out her talent and skills. She will be a valuable asset for any company or organization."Matthew JohnsonPresident & CEO, Girlfriends Holdings, LLC“Shaunice Hawkins is a rare individual who is a jack of all trades and master too. Whether it is marketing projects, diversity initiatives, event planning, consultation or developing a team, Shaunice shines as a professional. Shaunice has also played a seminal role in helping the media industry recognize the importance of diversity in content and in practice. Shaunice is one person I greatly admire, and any organization would benefit from her expertise.”Won KimSocial Media Director, Reader's Digest Association“Shaunice is hands-down one of my favorite people in this industry. She's worked many years to address the necessary recruitment of people of color to the media world, and now she's reinventing and rebranding many good people to help them take the next steps to adapt in our ever-changing world. Beyond the industry aspects, Shaunice is simply one of the best human beings you could know. She's the real deal.”Florian BachledaCreative Director , FB Design“Shaunice is a wonderful collaborator and leader. When at the MPA, she hired me to do a seminar on business presence and was a delight to work with. I admire her morality and personal and business ethics. Plus she's fun and funny.” Susan SommersPresident & FounderDresszing and Susan Sommers StylePower

Contact

SPEAKING & CONSULTING

Shaunice Hawkins speaks extensively around the country for corporations, business groups, non-profits, colleges/universities, schools and churches. With passion and thought-provoking concepts, Shaunice is sure to inspire and challenge your audience.

Shaunice Hawkins's firm, Evolutions Consulting, LLC , specializes in promoting in promoting brand visibility and strengthening consumer engagement.

For speaking and/or consulting information, please complete the contact form to the right or call:

[866] 283-5325.

Is life not a hundred times too short for us to stifle ourselves? Friedrich Nietzsche