Problem Solving Is Fun!
Few things are more euphoric for me than solving problems. Consulting provides opportunities for me to help others with complex and, often times, difficult situations to negotiate and resolve. My work in consulting draws on my leadership strengths in strategy, innovation, and execution along with my legal training in negotiation. As a consultant, I privilege astute listening, clear communication, and confidentiality. Moreover, clients consistently appreciate my passion for efficiency and economy.
I have worked with a wide array of clients, collaborators, and partners. My areas of expertise include: K-16 education; law enforcement; corporate; non-profit; and entertainment. Types of services I provide include:
Academic program and curriculum design
Program assessment and evaluation
Diversity, equity, and inclusion training
Problem solving and crisis management
Lectures, workshops, and presentations
Please explore more details on expertise below and reach out if you would like to discuss whether my services might be a good fit for your needs.
Expertise
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I have worked with urban and suburban public and charter schools on culturally competent curriculum development and specifically on African American Studies curriculum development. In the latter area, I have been a faculty partner with the College Board’s development of an African American Studies AP Exam. In higher education, I have worked with various academic departments and professional colleges to design curriculum and programs of study within a diversity, equity, and inclusion framework.
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I work with law enforcement agencies to design and implement best practices and training that improves cultural and racial sensitivity both within agencies and within the civilian communities the agencies serve. These agencies include city police divisions and university police and public safety departments.
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I have worked with corporations as a guest speaker and thought partner on topics related to cultural and racial awareness with a focus on expanding employee understanding of difference through historical, sociological, and cultural contexts.
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My primary work with non-profits focuses on community-university partnerships, particularly in the context of maternal and child health and wellness as well as K-12 education and college readiness.
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I provide historical, cultural, and social context for film, television, and other popular culture productions for local arts collectives and the Hollywood media industry.
Dr. Drake's insights into the needs of students from marginalized communities were important in helping OWU identify priorities that needed more focused attention. Through deep conversations with students, faculty, and staff, she was able to offer tailored strategies to help the institution make further progress on our diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments.
Dwayne K. Todd, PhD
Vice President for Student Engagement and Success
Dean of Students
Ohio Wesleyan University
Dr. Simone Drake is an incredibly knowledgeable, dedicated, focused professional who did an amazing job for us on a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion project to help educate medical students on these essential matters. Dr. Drake found the perfect resources to bring these topics to life for all students by introducing them to names, faces, stories, and more to help illustrate why racial healthcare disparities exist and think about the next steps that need to be taken. Dr. Drake is phenomenal and I highly recommend her.
Brett Worly, MD, MBA, FACO
Associate Professor
Learning Communities Program Director
Department of OB/GYN
The Ohio State University
Dr. Simone Drake is a world-class scholar in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) who brings the theory into the classroom and training sessions. She has especially been an excellent collaborator for working across interdisciplinary borders. She provided my researchers with information on how bias works in policing so that we could code examples, and work on methods for bias reduction.
Prof Kevin Passino
Electrical & Comp. Engineering, Ohio State University
Focus area: Technology for Social Justice
In partnership with our Associate Resource Group, Dr. Drake was able to provide key insights to contextualize the history of Juneteenth. Her deep knowledge and experience offered a level of expertise that helped make our learning session more impactful and drove authentic connections to our DEI strategy and celebration of the holiday. We truly appreciated having her as a keynote speaker and would welcome the opportunity to work with her again.
Kea Morgan
VP, Diversity & Inclusion
Ascena Retail Group, Inc.
Dr. Simone Drake’s commentary provided thought-provoking ways to explore African American history through generational narratives in film and TV.
Bianca Gervacio
Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Lionsgate