Scaling Wacif’s web presence during a global pandemic
At the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif), I led the launch of three websites in collaboration with PJUX.io
Wacif is a community development financial institution (CDFI) that provides resources and funding to low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs in the Greater Washington, D.C. area.
I joined Wacif in April 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic was taking off. As the world adapted, Wacif expanded its efforts to meet the growing needs of entrepreneurs and secured funding from federal, state, and private stakeholders. These investments supported major initiatives, including the launch of the Enterprising Women of Color DMV Business Center, in partnership with the Minority Business Development Agency, as well as the Greater Washington Center for Employee Ownership.
Over two years, I transitioned from having minimal web experience to leading the successful launch of three new websites, with a fourth nearing completion. I managed content across six websites on WordPress and Squarespace, effectively tripling the original scope.
Key contributions:
- Led the content strategy and launch of four WordPress websites.
- Managed website projects from development to deployment across organizational teams.
- Responsible for content across for six websites.
- Solicited, evaluated, and awarded BIDS to website contractors.
- Collaborated with PJUX.io to ensure smooth site deployment.
- Directed art and visual strategy across all sites in collaboration with program managers and senior leadership.
- Helped established new brands in partnership with Brandire Agency, ensuring capability across assets.
This experience reinforced my interest in interactive design and my ability to navigate large-scale web development projects, content strategy, and digital communications — skills I continue to apply across platforms and industries.
timeline of websites acquired & deployed
Enterprising Women of Color DMV Business Center
February 2021
In 2020, the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) awarded Wacif the funds to launch the Enterprising Women of Color District, Maryland, Virginia Business Center.
The award came at a crucial moment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
My team was tasked with launching a website ASAP so Wacif's programs team could provide coaching and financial services to women of color entrepreneurs through the Center.
Once the wheels were in motion, we put out a Request for Proposal (RFP) to get a web team on board and moved forward with Washington Area Network Services (WANS) and their project lead, PJ, with PJUX.io.
In less than two months, we launched https://ewoc.wacif.org, and in 2022, our team received the 2022 AVA Digital Award - Gold for the website.
Greater Washington Center for Employee Ownership
July, 2021
The Greater Washington Center for Employee Ownership (GWCEO) website went live in July 2021.
The goal of the Center is to promote and support employee ownership throughout the region by preserving businesses, increasing job quality, and building community wealth.
Our team used the web template developed for the Enterprising Women of Color DMV Business Center as a starting point. We looked at the analytics and made informed decisions to determine what we could do better.
Washington Area Community Investment Fund
April 2022
Wacif's corporate site required a total revamp to resolve the site's back-end issues threatening the security and resiliency of the site. In short: it had to go.
Another goal was to streamline publishing by pivoting toward a central hub. "One site to rule them all,” so to speak.
For example, instead of manually publishing an event or blog post multiple times across Wacif's growing suite of websites, you only needed to do it one time. Improving efficiency and reducing room for human error is everything in a fast-pace environment with limited capacity.
Results
Metrics after we launched Wacif.org 2.0
Anacostia Arts Center
July, 2022
The new Anacostia Arts Center website went live in July 2022. I worked closely with internal and external stakeholders to move the site toward completion, leading design layout decisions and drafting copy, before departing the organization.
Wacif acquired the Anacostia Arts Center in December 2021 to continue its legacy and advance the revitalization and sustainable economic development of Historic Anacostia.
Throughout the design process, I focused on balancing the brand’s legacy with a modern refresh, improving user experience, and better showcasing the Center’s history and assets, including its rental spaces.
View all web projects
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