First off I want to say congratulations to every member of the Critics Choice Association. I also would like to say keep up the great work that each of you do in covering the movie and television industry. The industry is dramatically changing and it has never been more difficult to be a professional journalist than it is today. We are all in this because we have a passion and love for movies and television. However, due to changing economic and cultural climates covering movies and television has become increasingly more difficult. Nevertheless, we all remain undeterred and I just want to say let’s keep pushing forward and together we will keep fighting. With that said, it is my hope that I can once again represent you as a board member. 

As a current board member now finishing my third term I want to express my gratitude to everyone who had the confidence and belief in my leadership skills to serve you. And as I embark on a fourth term I am asking for your trust and confidence again. Being reelected will allow me to continue to lead the organization into the future with ideas and results that benefit both the CCA and its members.

As a board member during my previous term I focused on several critical issues that have positively impacted the CCA and helped establish the organization as the most credible body of film and television critics in the world. 

I’m proud that the Celebration events, an idea that I created back in 2013 have seen tremendous growth under the direction of Madelyn Hammond and Javier Infante. Creating the concept is something that I am extremely proud of and watching it grow has been a professional highlight. The CCA now produces four (Black, Latino, AAPI and LGBTQ+) Celebration events. These events represent the CCA’s diverse membership and allows the organization to honor actors and filmmakers that represent a multitude of ethnicities and lifestyles that often get overlooked.

In officially working on the CCA social media team I have assisted Lisa Waters, Natasha Gargiulo and Jared Berlin in creating tremendous growth across every platform with strategic implementation, creative initiatives and brand building. My primary focus has been elevating the CCA Youtube channel. I have been instrumental in developing and creating content for the broadcast platform with original content like “In Conversation,” and pushing for the importance of livestreams, red carpet coverage and more original content. The number of subscribers has grown and views per video are up. 

My latest initiative under the social media umbrella has been the creation of the CCA Podcast Network. The network was created to showcase the vast amount of talent within the membership and push the organization into the rapidly growing world of podcasting. The goal being that the CCA Podcast Network offers the best and most diverse film and television discourse anywhere. It is also a great way highlight members and brand the organization in a different and rapidly influential space. 

During my next term, if elected, I want to focus on the concerns of members based in mid-sized and small markets like myself (Kansas City) who are increasingly struggling with obtaining access to screenings and talent. I actively communicate with the studios and streamers about these issues. It’s a priority that we must resolve. I also want concentrate more on developing a stronger presence with our marketing and promotions of each award show the CCA produces particularly the Critics Choice Awards. It is my hopes that the show becomes a household name and eventually eclipses the Golden Globes and Academy Awards as the gold standard of award shows. 

And lastly it is my goal to always generate and create ideas that not only benefit the organization but also the members.

Thanks in advance for your support and I hope I receive your vote. It is much appreciated.