Heather ‘Byrd’

Heather ‘Byrd’

💪🏾 Empowering Women of Color to Write, Publish, and Transform Lives | Guiding Future Authors from Blank Page to Published Masterpiece | Join the waitlist for “Igniting Ink: 30-Day Writing Journey” at ignitingink.com/

Greater Chicago Area
2K followers 500+ connections

About

Have you ever said one of the following things about writing your book?

“I don’t have time.”
“I don’t have a plan. Where do I start?"
“I don’t have the right support and focus.”

I see you 👀. Approximately 80% of Americans want to write a book, but only 3% complete it.

Byrd's World gets you to the 3% faster than you would alone. Our done-with-you publishing service helps you through masterclasses and group coaching. If you need a roadmap, a plan to help you find the time, or the proper support to publish your book, this is the space for you.

🤔 You might be asking, who is Heather ‘Byrd’? Well…
I am the first of my name. Giver of giggles and ​hugs. Catalyst of voice, story, and badassery. ​Queen of quirky. Creator of legacy and ​possibilities. Writer of inspiration and word ​witchery. Believer of magick and rebirth. Holder of ​sun and moon. High priestess of HummingByrds. ​Winner of awards 🏆. Lover of tacos, bubbles, ​balloons, and tea. Defier of gravity and language. ​Spreader of wings and dreams.

I am the author of "Mahogany: A Love Letter To Black" and a contributor to several anthologies like "Hope Ignited: Stories of Hope By Women For Women", and "Trouble The Waters: Tales from the ​Deep Blue." Most recently, I won the 2022 International Anthem ​Award for the “I See You” issue of the Cornell Report ​alongside Google, HBO Max, BBC, National ​Geographic, Netflix, and The Daily Show with ​Trevor Noah. 💥

I am on a mission to help 1000 experts, entrepreneurs, and educators of color write and publish their books by December 31, 2025, at 11:59p CST. I ain’t playin’! Are you ready to share your knowledge and expertise to attract more clients?

The benefits of writing a book are:
✅ establishing your authority
✅ boosting your visibility
✅ increasing your profits
✅ creating a massive impact

Some of my Future Authors say:
✍🏾 “The Future Author Master class is transformative.” ~Catherine W.

✍🏾”The Masterclass with Heather is dope! It feels like she is in the room guiding you. I felt so seen and supported that I'm now excited to write my book beyond what felt like immovable barriers. I can't wait to be part of the morning pages community” ~Joan E.

✍🏾 “If you have ​ideas you can’t ​communicate, she ​helps put your thoughts and ​ideas on ​paper. I ​was ​struggling with what was ​necessary to ​say, a fear of oversharing, and it was ​causing a ​lack of true vulnerability. Heather ​​helped remove the shame I felt ​about my ​truth.” ~Janah D.

If you want to learn more, schedule a 15-minute call 🗓️ at https://letsmeet.io/byrdsworld/discovery-call.

Activity

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Experience

  • Innovation 80 Graphic

    Advisor

    Innovation 80

    - Present 3 years 9 months

    Chicago, Illinois, United States

  • Founder

    Byrd's World, LLC

    - Present 14 years 5 months

    Chicago, Illinois

    Byrd’s World inspires and transforms lives one story at a time. As a result of working with me, professionals women of color have the opportunity, tools, and support to confidently tell their stories so they can preserve their knowledge and legacy for generations to come.

  • Young Chicago Authors

    Young Chicago Authors

    10 years 2 months

    • Young Chicago Authors Graphic

      Director of Education

      Young Chicago Authors

      - Present 4 years 1 month

      Chicago, Illinois, United States

    • Young Chicago Authors Graphic

      Senior Education Programs Manager

      Young Chicago Authors

      - 2 years 10 months

      Chicago, IL

    • Young Chicago Authors Graphic

      Programs Manager

      Young Chicago Authors

      - 1 year 7 months

    • Young Chicago Authors Graphic

      Program Associate

      Young Chicago Authors

      - 1 year 3 months

      1180 North Milwaukee

    • Program Assistant for Louder Than A Bomb/ Site Manager

      Young Chicago Authors

      - 8 months

      Chicago, Illinois

  • Assistant Teaching Artist

    Yollocalli Arts Reach

    - 1 year 6 months

    Greater Chicago Area

  • Youth Organizations Umbrella, Inc. Graphic

    Inspire High School/Street Outreach Fellow

    Youth Organizations Umbrella, Inc.

    - 3 months

    Evanston, Illinois

    Develop, implement, and facilitate academic and cultural enrichment activities and programs involving self-expression, social, emotional, and cultural competencies in film making and leadership. Build relationships with parents and students to further organizational and program goals and objectives. Create external partnerships with community organizations to bring needed programs and services.

  • Cornell College

    Cornell College

    3 years 10 months

    • Cornell College Graphic

      Interim Director of Intercultural Life

      Cornell College

      - 7 months

      United States

      Planned, organized, and implemented a comprehensive program of activities and services to promote diversity and support underrepresented student populations. Developed and coordinated transition programming for diverse student populations including pre-orientations for students of color and international students, the peer mentoring program, and other initiatives that assist in retention. Collaborated with faculty, staff, and the Diversity Committee to enhance campus wide commitment to…

      Planned, organized, and implemented a comprehensive program of activities and services to promote diversity and support underrepresented student populations. Developed and coordinated transition programming for diverse student populations including pre-orientations for students of color and international students, the peer mentoring program, and other initiatives that assist in retention. Collaborated with faculty, staff, and the Diversity Committee to enhance campus wide commitment to diversity and involvement with multiculturalism. Advocated for and assisted in responding to campus crises regarding bias related incidents. Served as primary designated school official (PDSO) for visa issues, laws, and guidelines. Supervised an office of seven program assistants. Developed and maintained networks within surrounding areas to support diversity education and student development initiatives. Managed budget of almost $20,000 which is associated with the office. Monitored and supported the academic progress and personal achievements of students of color and international students.

    • Cornell College Graphic

      Assistant Director of Intercultural Life

      Cornell College

      - 3 years 4 months

      Mount Vernon

      Plan, organize, and implement diversity and inclusion education and programming by collaborating with students, faculty and staff. Develop and coordinate International Student Orientation including the host family program, recruitment liaison, and serving as a SEVIS designated school official. Collaborate with staff members in Admissions, Registrar, and Residence Life regarding transition issues for international students. Advise multicultural student organizations and assist with developmental…

      Plan, organize, and implement diversity and inclusion education and programming by collaborating with students, faculty and staff. Develop and coordinate International Student Orientation including the host family program, recruitment liaison, and serving as a SEVIS designated school official. Collaborate with staff members in Admissions, Registrar, and Residence Life regarding transition issues for international students. Advise multicultural student organizations and assist with developmental programming and organizational leadership development. Supervise an office of three part-time program assistant student workers to meet the programming needs of the office.

  • City of Davenport Graphic

    AmeriCorp VISTA

    City of Davenport

    - 11 months

    Created a layout and design for the Davenport Civil Rights Commission’s informational brochures, newsletters and Fair Housing guide. Planned, implemented and recruited community dialogues known as Coffee Talk. Partnered with various community businesses and organizations for donations. Pursued funding in the form of grant writing for community projects. Collaborated and partnered with various community organizations, ethnic groups and educational institutions. Built a database of supporters to…

    Created a layout and design for the Davenport Civil Rights Commission’s informational brochures, newsletters and Fair Housing guide. Planned, implemented and recruited community dialogues known as Coffee Talk. Partnered with various community businesses and organizations for donations. Pursued funding in the form of grant writing for community projects. Collaborated and partnered with various community organizations, ethnic groups and educational institutions. Built a database of supporters to receive informational updates and calendar of events.

Education

  • St. Ambrose University

    Master Organizational Leadership

    -

    The Master of Organizational Leadership program at St. Ambrose is an interdisciplinary graduate program of study designed to develop skills and nurture abilities for effective leadership. MOL students become more aware of their own strengths, attitudes, and behaviors, and the effects they have on others as leaders. The program also provides individuals currently in or seeking leadership positions with the conceptual and analytical skills necessary for successful leadership.

  • Concordia University Chicago Graphic

    Concordia University Chicago

    Teaching Artist Certificate Spoken Word Pedagogy Education Certificate

    -

  • Cornell College Graphic

    Cornell College

    Bachelors of Special Studies Performace Arts

    -

    Activities and Societies: Black Awareness Cultural Organization (BACO) Powerful Intelligent Noble Queens (Step Team) Choreographer Cornell Collation for Change Prepare Achieve Lead Succeed (Mentoring Program) Sister 4 Sister (Support Group for Women) Student-Student/Faculty Life Committee Intercollegiate Sports: Volleyball & Basketball

Volunteer Experience

  • Chair of Juneteenth Committee

    Black Legacy Association of Cedar Rapids

    - 1 year 1 month

    Education

    Assisted with the managerial direction of the committee keeping members on task. Developed meeting agendas designed to get updates from the six sub-committees with strategic goals, objectives, and strategies. Delegated tasks to be performed outside of the committee meeting. Nurtured relationships with committee and community members. Monitored and managed budget.

  • Co-Chair of the Marketing Juneteenth Committee

    United Neighbors

    - 11 months

    Arts and Culture

    Developed marketing strategy including the logo, website, and promotional materials for the celebration. Created a new image for the committee. Built relationships with community members. Created and maintained a contact list of current and potential organizations. Researched previous and other marketing plans. Evaluated the appropriateness of different marketing and outreach methods.

Publications

  • Mahogany: A Love Letter To Black

    Amazon

    Love is a beautiful journey but it isn’t perfect. It takes work and experience to get it right. Mahogany is my love letter to the imperfections while exploring what it means to love and be loved by black in its multiple forms. You can purchase the chap book here https://www.createspace.com/pub/simplesitesearch.search.do?sitesearch_query=Mahogany%3A+A+Love+Letter+To+Black&sitesearch_type=STORE

    See publication

Courses

  • Conflict Management

    -

  • Decision Making

    515

  • Leadership Assessment

    512

  • Leadership Theory

    501

  • Leadership Through People Skills

    -

  • Leading Organizational Change

    -

  • Organization Theory & Behavior

    -

  • Strategic Communication

    -

  • Strategic Planning

    701

  • Work Based Action Project

    -

Honors & Awards

  • The 2020 St Lou Fringemeister

    2020 St. Lou Fringe Festival

  • Best Storytelling Award

    2020 KC Fringe Festival

  • National Artist of the Year Award

    St. Louis Fringe

    I received the award for my 50-minute poetry set, “inHERitance: the stories we carry”.

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