Meet KC G.I.F.T. Senior Marketing Director Kharissa Parker
As Senior Marketing Director at KC G.I.F.T., Kharissa Parker oversees the creative strategies and systems that shape how the organization shows up behind the scenes and in the community. With experience in entrepreneurship, media, and marketing that dates back to 2013, she leads the creative direction KC G.I.F.T.’s marketing and storytelling. In fact, she designed the website you're on right now!
Kharissa also manages communications with media outlets, develops partnerships with local brands and businesses, and helps bring the organization’s events and community initiatives to life. At the heart of her work, Kharissa's role is about creating clear, intentional ways for people to connect with KC G.I.F.T. and our mission of closing the racial wealth gap and creating jobs by investing in Black-owned businesses.
“I believe the best stories do more than just get attention," she said. "They drive you to take action. They inspire you. And when you tell them right, your story has the power to change your life.”
With a passion for all things wellness related, Kharissa is also a certified health coach who has worked with various media outlets and organizations by writing and speaking about self-care for entrepreneurs. Now, she’s bringing that perspective to KC G.I.F.T. with Work + Wellness, a series on the KC G.I.F.T. blog focused on helping entrepreneurs build businesses without forgetting to take care of themselves.
“This is storytelling that can really change your life," she said. "It can’t necessarily eradicate history, but it does change the trajectory of our future.”
On Office Hours (watch here on the blog and on YouTube), Kharissa will be sharing tips and advice related to websites, how to get on the news, and what real self-care looks like. If you have a question you'd like her to consider for an upcoming episode, get in touch on our Contact page.
Beyond the Bio
What’s your sign? Pisces. And I'm very true to it! My Big 3 are Pisces sun, Leo moon, and Pisces rising.
What Black-owned business or restaurant in Kansas City are you currently obsessed with?
I haven't been yet, but I am dying to get to The Vine Room at the Mutual Musicians Foundation. It's literally number one on my list right now.
What’s your go-to song, playlist or artist when you need to get in the zone and get some work done? It depends on the task. If I'm pulling reports or writing, then it's something mellow like Sade, Chillhop Radio, or a YouTube DJ. But if I'm working on something that's more visual and less wordy, it's J. Cole all day.
What’s one thing you hope people feel when they interact with you or your work at KC G.I.F.T.?
Empowered, capable, and confident. A lot of times, that first interaction starts on social media or the website. So, it's important to me that people feel invigorated to get involved when they browse our site, watch a reel, or read an article. Whether it's through giving, enrolling in a class, or taking the next steps to get a grant, I want people to feel like KC G.I.F.T. is something they need to be part of.
What’s one thing every entrepreneur should make time for outside of their business? You've got to be intentional on carving out time to step away from all things business related for a few hours or a couple of days a week. And I'm preaching to myself, truly! It can be really easy to get so lazer focused on getting things done that it takes over your life.
I get it. There's definitely a lot of long nights when you're an entrepreneur, especially in the beginning and especially when it's something you're super passionate about.
But, setting firm boundaries around your play time is necessary. It gives your brain a chance to recharge and find inspiration again instead of being overstimulated or burned out by consistently being in productive mode. That rest makes your mind sharper and more creative, which benefits your business in the long run anyway.
So, take a break. Take the day. Book the trip. It'll be fine.
Comments