Crew Love

Group of five young people at Blackstar Film Festival 2022 posing in front of a blue backdrop, some wearing yellow T-shirts, one wearing a face mask, indoors with brick wall and ceiling lights.
An indoor theater with an audience watching a stage presentation at the Blackstar Film Festival 2022, held from August 3 to 7, with five panelists seated and a speaker standing at the podium.

As an operations consultant to the BlackStar Film Festival, I’ve developed and implemented a strategic approach to volunteer engagement and communications. I’ve designed and led interactive virtual and hybrid information sessions and orientations, preparing a dedicated group of volunteers to support the annual festival. This involved creating and scheduling all email communications, streamlining the application process, and developing unique presentation decks to effectively orient participants.

My goal was to equip every volunteer with the knowledge and tools needed to support various front-of-house roles, including ticket scanning, managing information desks, and assisting with accessibility, all in celebration of films by and about the global majority.

The results of this streamlined approach were significant. I successfully managed a consistent increase in volunteer participation from 2022 to 2025, culminating in a record-breaking year.

In 2025, we received over 100 applications, a substantial increase from the 70 applications received the previous year. This growth is a direct reflection of my efforts to create a clear, organized, and engaging process for volunteers. By improving the application and orientation experience, I was able to build a stronger, more committed team to ensure the festival's continued success.


BlackStar Film Festival

Operations Consultant x Volunteer Manager

Two women wearing black masks standing in a lobby, holding devices and posing for the photo. One woman wears a multicolored sweater and jeans, the other wears a black shirt and khaki pants. Two other women are in the background, also wearing masks and engaged in conversation.
Glass entrance of the Woolly mammoth venue with promotional signage listing music, comedy, dance, classical, Broadway, education, community, and Featuring a large image of a woman singing into a microphone.
Two women standing next to a vertical sign for the Black Star Film Festival 2022, held from August 3-7, outside a building with a brick wall.

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