Undergraduate Averi Allison, a third-year strategic communication major, is setting an example in the world of communications through her musical creativity, leadership and involvement in the community.
With a passion for music and writing, Allison decided to seek an education that would allow her to focus on her writing while exploring more about the professional music industry at the same time.
“I’ve been in music all my life. I’ve played the piano since I was 5 and the saxophone since the sixth grade,” Allison said. “I really want to channel my creative background in my career within communications.”
Allison is minoring in musical theater, music media enterprise and entrepreneurship.
“My goal is to get a master’s in entertainment industry management and potentially work at a record label as a creative director or anything in the creative department,” Allison said.
Allison’s roles in leadership have helped her writing and communication at the same time. She believes it is important to express personal interest and have a unique route in order to make it in such a competitive industry.
Allison is president of the Black Advertising and Strategic Communication Association, a student organization within the School of Communication that creates a partnership between students, faculty and professionals with an intention to develop and prepare Black students for careers in advertising, public relations and marketing.
Allison is constantly testing her skills in communication through her involvement in multiple events that BASCA holds throughout the year, such as their networking trips that took place before COVID-19.
“With generous donations from the School of Communication we [predict] that these trips with awesome networking opportunities will take place again since being previously prevented from COVID,” Allison said. “In the past we have gone to places like Atlanta, Chicago, New York and a few other places.
While leading meetings and organizing events throughout the year in BASCA, she has also been involved with the African American Heritage Festival for the past two years. Specifically, Allison has helped to organize the festival’s culminating event: Mahogany Moments.
“This event is supposed to be the nice gala at the end of the week for the African American Heritage Festival,” Allison said. “This is my first in-person festival, and the theme is all about revival.”
Allison said it is an honor to put together such involved events with her peers as it brings people together while bringing ideas into action.
Article by student Grady Libertini
