Derek D. Ross

About Derek D. Ross

I\'m Derek D. Ross, an experienced brand strategist and communications expert with 18 years of branding, marketing and public relations experience. I\'ve served clients by unpacking their ideas and breaking through their creative roadblocks to design strategies to amplify their voice, visibility and impact while driving engagement, revenue and results.I led the creative and communications strategies for some of the largest and notable HBCU events and brands in the country including the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s (CIAA) Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament and Football Championship, the National Battle of the Bands, and consulted on projects for the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and Orange Blossom Football Classic.In 2017, I was recognized as a Black Enterprise Modern Man of Distinction. I\'ve been a speaker at the Black Enterprise Entrepreneur Summit, Build Your Own Brand Conference, and serve as Chairperson of the board of directors for WeINSPIRE Movement. In 2019, I received the Excellence in Leadership Award for Entrepreneurship from the UNCC Black Alumni Chapter. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from UNC-Charlotte and a MBA from Kenan-Flagler Business School at UNC Chapel-Hill.My motivation is creating opportunities for the next generation not readily accessible to BIPOC students, as well as using my story and experiences as a source of inspiration, education, and empowerment for others.

Experience

1. Licensed Zumba Fitness Instructor

   Zumba

   Jun 2013 — Present · Raleigh-Durham, NC, US

   There\'s no other fitness class like a Zumba Fitness-Party. It\'s easy to do, effective and totally exhilarating, often building a deep-rooted community among returning students.Classes:Wednesdays, Fitness Connection RTP, 6:00 p.m. ESTSaturday (2nd & 4th), Fitness Connection North Hills, 10 a.m. EST

Education

• University of North Carolina at Charlotte

  BSBA, Marketing

  2001 — 2005

• C E Jordan High School

  High School Diploma

  1998 — 2001

• UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

  MBA

  2010 — 2012

Skills

• Management
• SEO
• Publicity
• Social Networking
• Brand Awareness
• Social Media Marketing
• Marketing Communications
• Strategy Development
• Sales
• Email Marketing
• Sponsorship Activation
• Online Marketing
• Media Buying
• Copywriting
• Account Management
• Marketing
• Marketing Research
• Market Research
• Brand Management
• Marketing Strategy
• Online Advertising
• Partnerships
• Digital Marketing
• Press Releases
• Digital Media
• Promotions
• Strategic Partnerships
• New Business Development
• Media Planning
• Entertainment
• Integrated Marketing
• Lead Generation
• Strategic Planning
• Project Management
• Direct Marketing
• Brand Development
• Partnership Development
• Digital Strategy
• Sponsorship
• Public Relations