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Arao Ameny

Arao Ameny ... Founder & Exec. Dir., Association of African Journalists & Writers/ Social Media Editor at NYC Independent Budget Office ... Greater New York City Area ... Writing and Editing

Burgess COMMENTARY

Peter Burgess

Arao Ameny 1st Arao Ameny Founder & Exec. Dir., Association of African Journalists & Writers/ Social Media Editor at NYC Independent Budget Office Greater New York City AreaWriting and Editing Current New York City Independent Budget Office, Association of African Journalists and Writers (AAJW) Previous UN Africa Renewal, Coro New York Leadership Center, Sahara Reporters Education Indiana University School of Journalism-Bloomington, Indiana 500+ connectionsSend a messageEndorseMore options Connected 1 year ago RelationshipContact Infofriends Email araoameny@gmail.com IM araoameny (Google Talk) Phone 917.202.0195 (Mobile) Linkedin www.linkedin.com/in/araoameny Twitter araoameny Website araoameny Edit contact info Background Summary Arao Ameny is Ugandan-born from Lira, northern Uganda. She is a trained print and online journalist covering African communities and African immigrant issues. She is a 2012 graduate of the Coro's Immigrant Civic Leadership Program (ICLP), sponsored by the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs. She has a Master's in Journalism and Bachelor's in Political Science, with minors in International Relations and Communications. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the Association of African Journalists and Writers (AAJW), a unified platform for African journalists to connect; network; collaborate; and promote better reporting and understanding of Africa and African immigrant communities living in North America. Ameny is currently the Social Media Editor/ Communications Assistant at the New York City Independent Budget, a city government agency, where she plays a lead role in developing and expanding social media platforms. She also assists in producing print and online publications, and communications-related projects and events. Arao Ameny is the former Social Media Editor/ Writer at UN Africa Renewal at http://www.un.org/en/africarenewal/, a print and online magazine, produced by the Africa Section of the United Nations Department of Public Information, which provides African news and analysis from the United Nations. She improved social media platforms and increased user engagement on Facebook by 75% and Twitter by 50% in turn raising awareness and increasing website traffic. Arao runs a personal blog called Africans in New York at araoameny.com to document underreported stories of African immigrant experiences in New York City. Experience New York City Independent Budget OfficeSocial Media Editor/ Communications Assistant New York City Independent Budget Office June 2013 – Present (1 year 2 months)Greater New York City Area • plays a lead role in developing and expanding use of social media platforms at the New York City Independent Budget Office (NYC IBO) • assists with the NYC IBO website, responds to press calls, and copy-edits, proofreads, and lays out our print and online publications. • Posts, manages, and monitors social media, paying attention to relevant conversations concerning the New York City budget process and tax revenues • Measures social media metrics to improve user engagement • assists with all social media and communications-related projects and events Founder & Executive Director Association of African Journalists and Writers (AAJW) March 2012 – Present (2 years 5 months)Greater New York City Area The Association of African Journalists and Writers (AAJW), a New York-based organization, is a unified platform for African journalists and writers to connect; network; collaborate; and promote better reporting and understanding of Africa and African communities living in North America. • Provides programs, forums and networking opportunities for Africans journalists and writers to build professionally; develop partnerships and create a supportive network • Creates an on-going database of African journalists and writers in North America, with a focus on the Tri-State area, who understand specific issues relevant to their respective African countries to promote accurate reporting on their communities living abroad and living in Africa • Creates key messages; shapes content; and manages engaging online campaigns for AAJW on social media sites • Plans news conferences for African journalists and African writers with local, public officials to disseminate to African immigrant communities in the New York metropolitan area • Tracks relevant news; pitching and sharing story ideas to African media for African communities • Develops content for interactive projects and mobile apps for promoting AAJW on long-term media and digital communications strategies for AAJW • Generates, writes and edits stories for the AAJW Tumblr blog • Builds social media campaigns to supplement communications and marketing efforts for AAJW • Creates and maintains content event calendar for AAJW blog and social media platforms • Helps promote public programs; special events and other initiatives through media and digital communications for AAJW Completed programs: • Organized a panel discussion with correspondents Andrea Shmidt and Sebastian Walker from Al Jazeera English and Mr. Kessahun Checole, publisher of Africa World Press and Red Sea Press to discuss famine in the Horn of Africa (Open)3 honors and awards (Open)2 recommendations Gloria M. Ameny-Dixon, Ph.D. Gloria M. Ameny-Dixon, Ph.D. Associate V.P. for Planning and Assessment, Author and Founding President/CEO of a NPO If you are looking for a reliable editor who pays attention to details, you will find one in Arao! She reviewed my book,...View Rockyatu O. Rockyatu O. Program Associate at New York Council for the Humanites With her managerial skills and uncanny ability to innovate and initiate projects, Arao would be an asset to any company.View Social Media Editor/ Writer UN Africa Renewal August 2012 – February 2013 (7 months)Africa Section, Department of Public Information 380 Madison Avenue, Room M-1603 Social Media Editor/ Writer at United Nations Africa Renewal at http://www.un.org/en/africarenewal/ • Researches, drafts and writes content for online publication (website and social media) • Writes stories for the Africa Watch and Africa Wired Section of magazine • Maintains and manages posting on social media platforms for UN Africa Renewal • Participates in events in the New York-based or Tri-State area events promoting Africa Renewal magazine • Actively connects and interacts with Africa-based media to recruit writers or have media outlets republish articles from UN Africa Renewal magazine Accomplishments: • During the 67th Session of the General Assembly, worked in two-person team to reach out to 31 African journalists, mostly based in Africa, to introduce them to United Nations Africa Renewal magazine and the mission of Africa Section • During the 67th Session of the General Assembly, worked in a two-person team to organize the first meeting with African journalists and the Africa Section of Department of Public Information to introduce them to mission and vision of UN Africa Renewal magazine • Organized logistics for United Nations Africa Renewal magazine to be a sponsor for a New York University panel discussion on Brain Drain Reversal in Africa; provided audience with 150 copies of Africa Renewal magazine and provided additional contacts to Africa Renewal listserv and database • Increased engagement on social media platforms;Twitter by over 50% and Facebook by 75% • Publicized and provided photos and live tweets for social media platforms for events such as Africa Week at the UN; General Assembly; Africa Industrialization Day, Kofi Annan book signing and many more Coro New York Leadership CenterProgram participant, Immigrant Civic Leadership Program Coro New York Leadership Center July 2012 – November 2012 (5 months)Greater New York City Area Coro's Immigrant Civic Leadership Program (ICLP) is an intense part-time, six-month program to develop advanced strategies and skills for expanding opportunities for immigrants and for shaping public policy decisions that affect immigrant communities and New York City. (Open)1 honor or award Freelance Journalist Sahara Reporters January 2012 – April 2012 (4 months)New York, NY • Took photos of political activism or socio-political events pertaining to African communities in the New York Metro area • Wrote articles for www.saharareporters.com • Conducted on-camera interviews with political activists, religious leaders in diverse African communities for http://www.saharatvonline.com/ • Provided as needed-basis research on topics or individuals for weekly television show SaharaTV • Reached out to individuals in the community to book speakers and guests for weekly TV show Editor-in-Chief Muslim Community Report newspaper at www.muslimcommunityreport.com August 2011 – November 2011 (4 months)Bronx, New York • Covered the 26th Annual Muslim Day Parade after the Tenth Anniversary of 9/11; a story not covered by major media outlets in New York City • Interviewed key leaders public officials, interfaith leaders,key leaders in the Muslim immigrant and Muslim American community about issues relevant to Muslims and all New Yorkers • Interviewed, proofread, fact-checked stories for the newspaper; served as a primary journalist and editor for the newspaper • Reached out organizations, community members to publicize Muslim Community Report newspaper • Reached to out interfaith groups, public officials and others to promote print newspaper • Managed and maintained website and social media (Facebook and Twitter accounts) for www.muslimcommunityreport.com • Taught youth journalism workshop classes for students at the Islamic Leadership School in the Bronx (Open)1 recommendation SHEIKH MOUSSA DRAMMEH SHEIKH MOUSSA DRAMMEH www.muslimcommunityreport.com I'm writing this recommendation on behalf of my friend and colleaque Ms Arao Ameny. I have worked with many good people, but Arao will always be on top of the colleaques I admired the most. She is professional, diligent, honest, hardworking, loyal...View New York-based Journalist Ugandans Abroad at www.ugandansabroad.org October 2010 – October 2011 (1 year 1 month)New York, NY • Wrote articles about the international Ugandan Diaspora in the Tri-State area • Wrote summaries of articles to post online • Conducted research on events about government, currenttechnology issues, etc. affecting Ugandan and East African Diaspora • Copy edited articles on website • Took photographs and edits photos for the website • Conducted interviews with key leaders in the Uganda immigrant and Ugandan American community about political, international issues affecting Uganda and Ugandan expatriates CUNY Graduate School of JournalismEditorial Assistant at 'Voices That Must Be Heard' at www.indypressny.org CUNY Graduate School of Journalism June 2011 – August 2011 (3 months)CUNY Graduate School of Journalism • Updated and managed multimedia content on the website on daily basis • Tracked and cultivated multimedia news sources on the internet including podcasts, video clips and linked them to the website • Designed new web pages for special announcements or other publishing purposes • Copy edited articles on website • Edited, resized photos for the website using Word Press content management system • Maintained and organized the content on the web server • Promoted the website and presence of ethnic/community media on the internet, social media and networking events • Supported miscellaneous graphic design projects on an as-needed basis • Trained interns and set up a weekly intern calendar • Maintained the editorial calendar and led weekly editorial meetings • Reached out to ethnic/ community media to gather pitches from journalists • Reached out to translators for non-English language publications • Reached out to members of African media and other underrepresented groups in community and ethnic media in the New York Metro area New York Community Media AllianceEditorial Intern New York Community Media Alliance March 2011 – May 2011 (3 months)New York • Updated and managed multimedia on website on daily basis • Tracked and cultivated multimedia news sources on the internet including podcast, video clips and linked them to the website • Designed new pages for special announcements or other publishing purposes • Maintained and organized the content on the web server • Helped recruit ethnic and community journalists to attend the Ippies Journalism Awards, the only journalism awards that recognizes community and ethnic media • Helped the Communications Director and head of New York Community Media Alliance with logistics, planning, outreach, set-up for the Ippies Journalism Awards • Helped with logistical planning, execution and follow-up surveys after journalism awards Honors & Awards Neighborhood Leadership Institute participant Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs April 2012 The Neighborhood Leadership Institute, a four-week leadership and development training for leaders who do work in immigrant communities. Participants learned how to navigate city government; the fundamentals of organizing communities; networking with local leaders; and worked together with others to put together a project to benefit their respective immigrant communities. Journalism Fellow Knight Digital Media Center May 2012 Two-day Mobile Strategies for Community Publishers fellowship hosted by Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, University of Southern California in partnership with The City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism in New York for 24 members of independent ethnic and community media. Rising Star award City Council Member Helen Diana Foster of the 16th Council District in Bronx, New York and the 16th Council District African and Muslim Council October 2012 2012 Rising Star award for one of the 20 'Rising Stars' in the African community CORO Immigrant Civic Leadership Program certificate of completion CORO New York Leadership Center November 2012 CORO Immigrant Civic Leadership Program certificate of completion, November 29, 2012 Languages Lango (Luo) Skills & Endorsements Top Skills 99+Blogging 69Journalism 61Press Releases 48Social Media 39Editing 24Storytelling 24Social Networking 19Editorial 18Facebook 12Community Outreach Arao also knows about... 12Publications 12New Media 11Research 9Newspapers 9International Relations 8News Writing 8Social Media Marketing 8Creative Writing 8Proofreading 8Public Policy 8CMS 7InDesign 6Photoshop 6Public Speaking 6Media Relations See 15+ Education Indiana University School of Journalism-Bloomington, Indiana Masters, Journalism (Print & Online Journalism) 2006 – 2007 • Indiana University, Masters in Journalism; Bloomington, IN (2007) Awards: Rising Star Certificate for reporters; Indiana Daily Student Newspaper Activities: -Indiana Daily Student newspaper, Diversity Beat reporter -Arbutus yearbook, editor for “Issues and Politics” section -African Student Organization member Activities and Societies: Society of Professional Journalists; National Association of Black Journalists University of Indianapolis-Political Science Department Bachelors, Political Science, Minors in international relations and communications •University of Indianapolis; Bachelor of Arts in Political Science Indianapolis, IN (2006); Minors in international relations and communications -Staff reporter for Reflector newspaper Activities and Societies: The American Political Science Association Additional Info Interests Politics, Journalism, Government, Human Rights Law, Domestic & International Affairs, Women's Rights Issues, Political Economy, Campaigns and Elections, Diplomacy Personal Details Birthday 1982 Marital Status Married Advice for Contacting Arao Email journalist@araoameny.com. Organizations Additional Organizations • Member of NYABJ (New York Association of Black Journalists • Member of SPJ (Society of Professionals Journalists) Recommendations Received (3)Given (1) Peter, would you like to recommend Arao? Recommend Arao Founder & Executive Director Association of African Journalists and Writers (AAJW) Gloria M. Ameny-Dixon, Ph.D. Gloria M. Ameny-Dixon, Ph.D. Associate V.P. for Planning and Assessment, Author and Founding President/CEO of a NPO If you are looking for a reliable editor who pays attention to details, you will find one in Arao! She reviewed my book, 'Transforming Higher Education: Is Higher Education Ready for the Global Perspective on Multicultural Education?' meticulously. Gloria Ameny-Dixon, Ph.D. December 12, 2012, Gloria M. was Arao's client Rockyatu O. Rockyatu O. Program Associate at New York Council for the Humanites With her managerial skills and uncanny ability to innovate and initiate projects, Arao would be an asset to any company. April 9, 2012, Rockyatu reported to Arao at Association of African Journalists and Writers (AAJW) Editor-in-Chief Muslim Community Report newspaper at www.muslimcommunityreport.com SHEIKH MOUSSA DRAMMEH SHEIKH MOUSSA DRAMMEH www.muslimcommunityreport.com I'm writing this recommendation on behalf of my friend and colleaque Ms Arao Ameny. I have worked with many good people, but Arao will always be on top of the colleaques I admired the most. She is professional, diligent, honest, hardworking, loyal and dependable. I would love to talk to anyone considering hiring or working with her for further reference. Thank you! ...more February 22, 2012, SHEIKH MOUSSA managed Arao at Muslim Community Report newspaper at www.muslimcommunityreport.com ConnectionsAll (500+)Shared (14)New (7) Jonathan Hegranes, CFAJonathan Hegranes, CFA2nd Technologist, Philanthropist & Financier Connect3Cristi HegranesCristi Hegranes2nd Founder & Executive Director at Global Press Institute Connect6Sree SreenivasanSree Sreenivasan2nd Chief Digital Officer at The Metropolitan Museum of Art; tech evangelist & skeptic Connect21Malik SingletonMalik Singleton2nd Researcher at Crain's New York Business Connect1Danny GoldfieldDanny Goldfield2nd Photographer Connect2Dominic MuntangaDominic Muntanga2nd Non Executive Director at Perlite Capital Partners Connect4Ben AkohBen Akoh2nd Program Director at University of Manitoba Connect23Ciji GardnerCiji Gardner2nd Regional Director, New York/New Jersey at INROADS Connect1Nicole BodeNicole Bode2nd Deputy Editor of News at DNAinfo.com Connect2 PreviousNext Groups Africa Jobs, Careers and Networking Africa Jobs, Careers and Networking Join African Media African Media Join African Media - Africa | Journalism | Journalists African Media - Africa | Journalism | Journalists Join Al Jazeera English Al Jazeera English Join American Political Science Association (APSA) American Political Science Association (APSA) Join Business Development, Proposal Management & Writing, Marketing & Sales from CapturePlanning.com Business Development, Proposal Management & Writing, Marketing & Sales from CapturePlanning.com Join Committee to Protect Journalists Committee to Protect Journalists Join Coro New York Leadership Center Coro New York Leadership Center Join Federation des Senegalais de la Diaspora- Commission Projets & Investissements Federation des Senegalais de la Diaspora- Commission Projets & Investissements Join Find a journalist – around the world Find a journalist – around the world Join Finding Grants, Fundraising, and Writing Grant Proposals Finding Grants, Fundraising, and Writing Grant Proposals Join Friends of ICFJ (The International Center for Journalists) Friends of ICFJ (The International Center for Journalists) Join Indiana University Alumni Network Indiana University Alumni Network Join Innovation Journalism Innovation Journalism Join Interest Africa Interest Africa Join International Media Ethics International Media Ethics Join Journalist and Journalism Journalist and Journalism Join Journalistics Journalistics Join Journalists and writers on twitter Journalists and writers on twitter Join LinkedIn for Journalists LinkedIn for Journalists Join Linkin Uganda Linkin Uganda Join Media Professionals Worldwide Media Professionals Worldwide Join NABJ (National Association of Black Journalists) NABJ (National Association of Black Journalists) Join NYWSE NYWSE Join Online Journalism Online Journalism Join RED - Employee Engagement Network RED - Employee Engagement Network Join Social Media Marketing Social Media Marketing Join Social Media Today Social Media Today Join Social Media for Nonprofit Organizations Social Media for Nonprofit Organizations Join Society of Professional Journalists Society of Professional Journalists Join Supreme Copywriting International Supreme Copywriting International Join The Indiana University School of Journalism The Indiana University School of Journalism Join UIndy UIndy Join UN Women UN Women Join Ugandan North American Association Ugandan North American Association Join United Nations United Nations Join Women in New Media Women in New Media Join Women of Influence Inc. 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