Professional Background

Curriculum Vitae

Academic credentials, professional experience, publications, and speaking engagements.

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Tirrea Billings ✦ Artivist ✦ Educator ✦ Storyteller ✦ philanthropy unfiltered ✦ Social Justice Communications ✦ Documentary Media ✦ Movement Work ✦ Tirrea Billings ✦ Artivist ✦ Educator ✦ Storyteller ✦ philanthropy unfiltered ✦ Social Justice Communications ✦ Documentary Media ✦ Movement Work ✦
Tirrea S. Billings Artivist · Educator · Storyteller · Los Angeles, CA
tirreab@gmail.com
(989) 475-6931
linkedin.com/in/tirreab
Profile

Tirrea Billings is a powerhouse in social justice communications, blending strategy, storytelling, and digital media to amplify voices that deserve to be heard. With over seven years of experience, she has shaped narratives for organizations like the Democracy Collaborative, U.S. Department of Arts & Culture, and W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Her storytelling journey began with docu-style video production at Reflct Media, a company she co-founded to bring untold stories to the forefront. At the heart of her work is a relentless commitment to ensuring underrepresented voices are leading conversations that shape the future of their communities and beyond.

Education
Ed.D., Organizational Change and Leadership
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
2026 – Present
M.A., Communication
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI
April 2020
Thesis: Counter Stories in Counterpublics: Exploring Documentary as a Form of Activist Media to Counter Reinforced Stereotypes about the Criminalization of Black Men. Committee: Dr. Anna Popkova, Dr. Jennifer Richardson, Prof. Kelly Wittenberg.
B.A., Film, Video, Media Studies
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI
December 2016
Academic Appointments
Part-Time Adjunct Lecturer
Georgetown University, Prisons and Justice Initiative
Spring 2024
JUPS 2021-1: Storytelling for Social Change
Part-Time Instructor (Online)
Western Michigan University, School of Communication
Spring 2021
COM 3550: Digital Video Production: Nonfiction; COM 4570: Advanced Digital Video Production
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Western Michigan University, School of Communication
Fall 2018 – Spring 2020
COM 1000, COM 2400, COM 2410, COM 4300
Research Positions
Research Assistant
Narrative Initiative
2025
Skills & Tools
Asana Adobe Creative Suite Google Workspace WordPress Sprout Social Mailchimp Meltwater Canva Microsoft Office
Work Experience
Communications Manager
California Black Power Network
Sept. 2025 – Present
Co-facilitate the Communications Circle, train network partners, develop communication strategies, create and deploy messaging across all digital platforms, and lead efforts to leverage Black art and culture to shift public consciousness.
Senior Communications Manager
United Philanthropy Forum
Nov. 2022 – Nov. 2024
Developed and executed strategic communication plans for in-person and virtual programming. Designed and managed the Forum’s digital content, website, social media channels, and biweekly newsletter.
Communications Manager
Color Of Change
Aug. 2021 – Oct. 2022
Managed day-to-day earned media for key culture and entertainment campaigns. Managed press for the #ChangeIndustries initiative. Pitched and wrote op-eds related to diversifying culture and entertainment industries.
Communications + Brand Manager
Education Design Lab
Apr. 2021 – Aug. 2021
Developed comprehensive communication strategies; maintained and evolved the Lab’s brand identity across all materials.
Creative Director & Co-Founder
Reflct Media
Jan. 2018 – Dec. 2021
Led creation of documentary-style video content amplifying social justice narratives. Designed and executed multimedia storytelling campaigns for social justice organizations. Oversaw the visual and narrative identity of Reflct Media.
Publications
Book Review: #HashtagActivism: Networks of Race and Gender Justice
Critical Studies in Media Communication
2025, In Progress
The First Step: Stories of a Documentary in Coalition Building, Social Change, and Pushing for Progress After the Credits Roll
The Center for Media and Social Impact (with Conrad-Pérez & Coskuntuncel)
2025, In Progress
Sustainable Farming of the Future (Photo Series)
Camas Magazine
December 2023
When It Comes To Race And Black History, Educators Can’t Rely on Textbooks
THE PUBLIC Magazine
September 2022
With Abortion Protections Eliminated, It’s Up To Elected Prosecutors… (on behalf of Color Of Change)
Blavity
July 2022
It’s Time Fashion Leaders Put Equity First With The New #ChangeFashion Inclusion Rider (on behalf of Color Of Change)
Blavity
February 2022
Conference Presentations
“Stereotypes and Stigma: Liberating Black Women’s Images, Demanding Authenticity and Reflecting Humanity”
National Communication Association Conference, National Harbor, MD
November 2023
Seeing Through The Bars: How Digital Media Gives Voice, Agency, and Power Back to People Who Are Incarcerated
Narrative Power Summit, Reframe & RadComms, Long Beach, CA
October 2022
“Counter Stories in Counterpublics: Exploring Documentary as a Form of Activist Media…”
Virtual Social Justice Research Symposium, Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership
May 2021