About Me
My most cherished creationz are my children, but outside of being a mother, teacher, student, poet, musician, activist, ... here are a few other things that I take responsibility for:DaraMonifah "Dara" Cooper, Technology/Administrative/PR & Mass MediaWith over 10 years of community organizing, graphic design & media promotions, events coordination, media liaison services and producing cultural programming for Non-Profit Organizations such as KWANZAA365, The Rock Collective, Per Ankh, Inc. and the University of the Virgin Islands Afrakan/Black Heritage and Student Poets Committees (as first Chariperson and now staff advisor). Dara also brings her background as a teacher and entrepreneur to the program. A multi-talented community activist, her main profession is a University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service Agent where she works in the fields of Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources, Communications and Mass Media, Distance Education, the 4-H Youth Program, Nutrition Education, Family and Consumer Sciences. Dara also teaches PreK-12th grade music and computer graphics. As an artist, she is known in the community for expressing herself through spoken word and music as a self and classically trained/ jazz instrumentalist performing live on steelpan.TechnologyI am mainly responsible for the Information technology at KWANZAA365 & THE ROCK COLLECTIVE. My role is to increase our oganization's ability to recruit new participants, volunteers, contributors/donors and subscribers to KWANZAA365 & THE ROCK COLLECTIVE specifically by creating emailable/online fill-in pdf forms for various applications and other documents. In addition, I coordinate educational activities providing curriculum development in information technology for KWANZAA365 & THE ROCK COLLECTIVE's students and staff and overall support for program development.AdministrativeI maintain administrative records, assist with workshops, activities and communication help coordinate field trips and events, and serves as liaison to parents of participants in the KWANZAA365 & THE ROCK COLLECTIVE program. I coordinate volunteer activities and maintain outreach with the broader community. I bring my creative and professional background in events planning to KWANZAA365 & THE ROCK COLLECTIVE. I also advise and coordinate correspondence with sponsors, and donors. Along with educational training, event coordination and planning, I seek out networking & marketing opportunities, and assists with human resources.Mass Media & Public Relations
I lead communication initiatives for KWANZAA365 & THE ROCK COLLECTIVE. With print and online media experience, I add a creative skill set of journalism, marketing, branding, editing and event planning to the team. While actively promoting KWANZAA365 & THE ROCK COLLECTIVE events and fund raising goals, I build and maintain relationships with media pros. I am also key in providing a connection to the airwaves for KWANZAA365 & THE ROCK COLLECTIVE for promotions and fundraising events.--
