JERRY THOMAS PUBLIC RELATIONS - Key Persons
Angela Dodson is the chief editor and writer for Jerry Thomas Public Relations. She has most recently been an online editor and book reviewer for DIVERSE: Issues In Higher Education. She is the former executive editor of Black Issues Book Review. Angela is a former senior editor and former Style editor for the New York Times. Angela has edited and ghost-written books for major publishers and numerous self-published authors of fiction and nonfiction. She has also done writing and editing for various newspapers and magazines, including Essence and Heart & Soul. Angela was a consultant for the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education and the Hampton University School of Communications. She is a journalism graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. She has a master's degree in journalism and public affairs from the American University in Washington, D.C.
Job Titles:
- Vice President and Director of Recruitment
- VP, Director of Recruitment
Ashley Thomas is Vice President and Director of Recruitment at Jerry Thomas Public Relations, with over 10 years of media relations and community engagement experience across multiple sectors, including consumer, nonprofit, education, healthcare, grassroots activism and business. Ashley has aided, managed and maintained client accounts ranging from celebrities and political figures, local community groups and national nonprofits, to high school districts and top universities. With experience from premier agencies such as Edelman and Weber Shandwick, Ashley has provided digital and media support for iconic consumer brands such as TUMS, Pork Be Inspired, Straight Talk Wireless, Sierra Mist and The National Frozen Food Association. Prior, Ashley held positions at The HistoryMakers and Diversity MBA Magazine.
With a passion for ending domestic violence, Ashley currently serves on the junior board of Connections for Abused Women and Children (CAWC), and has volunteered at Break the Cycle and A Safe Place, where she received her Illinois Certified Domestic Violence 40-hour Training certificate in 2013. In addition to raising DV awareness, Ashley also volunteers at Save-A-Pet and the Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC).
Ashley currently resides in the north suburbs of Chicago.
Barbara Thomas is the chief strategist for Jerry Thomas Public Relations. She is a seasoned executive who draws on a distinguished career in both the corporate, non-profit and academic arena. She is the former President and Chief Executive Officer for the National Black MBA Association and Senior Executive for CBS television and radio. She is currently the Executive Director for The National Black Business Foundation and adjunct Professor at University of Illinois Urbana specializing in Strategic Nonprofit Management. She holds a BS degree from Bernard Baruch College and an MBA from Columbia University.
Job Titles:
- Eastern Bureau Chief, Special Projects & Strategic Partnerships
Is the Eastern Bureau Chief, Special Projects & Strategic Partnerships for Jerry Thomas Public Relations. Ivan has led numerous international media campaigns for The Rainbow PUSH Coalition, The Southern Christian Leadership Conference, The Cancer Treatment Centers of America, The National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, Bethune Cookman University as well as numerous efforts for top dignitaries and celebrities such as Xerox's CEO Ursula Burns, Actress Karyn Parsons, Grammy Award Winning Artist Valerie Simpson, former Chicago Bulls Coach Bill Cartwright, etc. A graduate of Howard University in Washington, DC, Ivan earned a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Prior to joining Jerry Thomas Public Relations, Ivan held internships at C-SPAN, GMMB, USTTI and Stateline.org.
Maureen France is the senior strategist for Jerry Thomas Public Relations. She specializes in community, corporate, civic and political engagement as well as fundraising and grant writing. Maureen has over 30 years of diverse business & community experience covering all sectors of the economy including healthcare, finance, education, economic development, government & non-profit management. She has served as Legislative & Congressional aide, grants consultant, school district spokesperson and fundraiser for various clients. Previously, she was a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley, twice winning National Sales Director Award. As the Executive Director of MainStreet DeLand, Maureen led Downtown DeLand to be recognized with the National Trust for Historic Preservation Great American Mainstreet Award for excellence in downtown revitalization.
Job Titles:
- Media Relations Specialist
Is Media Relations Specialist for Jerry Thomas Public Relations. Her focus is research, media distribution and outreach. Niama worked as a feature writer and consultant for Slick Africa Magazine, Digital content manager for Society HAE, and program coordinator for Social Media Week - LAGOS.
Job Titles:
- Social Media Manager
- Communications and Social Media Manager
Remya Thomas is the communications and social media manager for Jerry Thomas Public Relations. She has extensive PR and Marketing experience in strategic marketing, public/media relations, social media and event planning in business, non-profit and agency environments. She has provided strategic, tactical, and creative support for clients in healthcare, education, technology, and media, such as Nielsen, Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), Prologue, Inc., USVI Communicable Diseases Division, and Diversity MBA Magazine. Prior to joining Jerry Thomas Public Relations, Remya worked as a communications consultant in New York. She has several years of experience in the non-profit world with focus on healthcare and education, and has worked for several years with a former New York State Senator. Remya has also served on the board of nonprofits, Street Project Inc. and Asha for Education. Remya is currently completing her Executive Master's degree in Communications Management from Syracuse University.
Sherrel Wheeler Stewart is the Senior Media Counsel for Jerry Thomas Public Relations. She is a veteran journalist and media manager with extensive experience in public relations, marketing, corporate communications, governmental affairs and digital news. Her career includes work at some of the nation's largest newspapers and magazines and some of her reports have been published in USA Today, Black Enterprise, and The Washington Post. In addition to her work with The Tennessean and The Birmingham News, she has worked as a regular contributor for BlackAmericaweb.com and theroot.com. She has also taught journalism as a visiting professor at her alma mater - the University of Alabama.
Theresa Caldwell is the senior media advisor for Jerry Thomas Public Relations. Her multi-faceted background includes being a certified Life Transition Coach, and a Certified Listening Professional (CLP). She has hosted shows on WHUR-FM and H.U.R. Voices-SiriusXM Channel 141. There she served as executive producer and co-host of Mining the Heart, a coaching-based talk show, as well as the longtime producer and substitute host of The Audrey Chapman Show, a relationship/self-help program, which aired for almost 20 years. Theresa's experience also includes working for former Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. for more than a decade, serving in various capacities including chief of staff; managing former Alderman Sandi Jackson's first winning Chicago City Council campaign, directing the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission's Lincoln Legacy National Town Hall program and working as press secretary for Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.