Journalist & Communications Strategist
Blending culture and advocacy through writing and strategic communications.
AVAILABLE Services
Consulting
Workshops & Panel Moderation
Writing & Editing
Pick-Your-Brain
30 minutes to ask any comms-related questions you want. Questions can be specific to your project; however, prior research is not applicable to this offering. — $75
Guided Brainstorming
One hour to discuss your project for direction. Also referred to as the ramble session, clients generally toss ideas for clarity and action item creation. — $150
Writing & Editing
Workshops & Panel Moderation
Writing & Editing
Commissioned Articles/Narratives/Poetry
— Contact to discuss. (*Leslie does not write or edit academic papers.)
Feature-Style Bio Writing
What better way to tell your story than to have it written like a magazine article by a veteran features writer? — Starts at $200.
Resume Editing
Turn your job descriptions into bite-sized, eye-catching achievement-based stories — $150-$200.
Workshops & Panel Moderation
Workshops & Panel Moderation
Workshops & Panel Moderation
- A variety of workshops are available for groups and individuals to learn writing techniques, media interview tips, communication skills, or even explore the craft of creative writing. — Contact to discuss.
- Panel moderation: Leslie is an experienced journalist and orator who expertly navigates sensitive topics and creates an engaging audience experience. — Contact to discuss.
Curriculum vitaE
Professional Experience
- 23 years Journalism, 7 years Editorial
- 13 years Public Relations
- 10 years Marketing
- 16 years Performance Poetry
- 15 years Photography
- 11 years Facilitation / Teaching Artist
Education
Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans
Bachelor of Arts, Mass Communication
Memberships
- National Association of Black Journalists
- Washington Association of Black Journalists
- Xavier University of Louisiana Alumni Association, DMV Chapter
- National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Chapter, Public Relations and Health committees; past Economic Empowerment committee (2020- Present) | Metropolitan Baton Rouge Chapter, Public Relations committee (2018-2020)
- Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc., Charter Vice-President, Eta Chapter, New Orleans – 2004-2005
- The Communications Network (past)
- Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (past)
- Disability & Philanthropy Forum (past)
- The Public Relations Society of America, National Capital Chapter (past)
- National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (past)
Awards & Special Recognition
- 35th Annual Educational Advertising Awards, Bronze, Integrated Marketing Campaign, February 2020
- 35th Annual Educational Advertising Awards, Bronze, Special Video, February 2020
- Invisible Illness Awareness Week, Oct. 13, 2019 – October 19, 2019, Baton Rouge
- 2016 Best Feature Story, 2nd Place, Division 6, Louisiana Press Association Better Newspaper Awards, June 2017 (writer)
- 2015 Best Overall Sports section, Division 4 – Weekly Citizen, Louisiana Press Association Awards, June 2016 (editor)
- 2015 Best Publication, Advertising, Division 4 – Paint it All Pink, Louisiana Press Association Awards, June 2016 (editor)
- Xavier University 40 Under 40 Young Alumni Award Class, November 2015
- Sue Weinstein Excellence in Volunteerism, May 2015
Select Publications
ESSAYS
- Rose, Leslie D. "Criminal Minded." St. James Encyclopedia of Hip Hop Culture, edited by Thomas Riggs, St. James Press, 2018, pp. 99-101.
- Rose, Leslie D. "Native Tongues." St. James Encyclopedia of Hip Hop Culture, edited by Thomas Riggs, St. James Press, 2018, pp. 311-314.
- Rose, Leslie D. "The Northeast." St. James Encyclopedia of Hip Hop Culture, edited by Thomas Riggs, St. James Press, 2018, pp. 329-333.
- Rose, Leslie D. "Rap as Marketing, Advertising, and Branding." St. James Encyclopedia of Hip Hop Culture, edited by Thomas Riggs, St. James Press, 2018, pp. 383-387
POETRY
- The Newsroom, Next Left Press, Nov. 2015
- “Needles,” co-written by William Brian Sain, All Def Poetry, Dec. 17, 2014
- Various, Indiefeed: Performance Poetry, Episodes 1189, 1272, 1332, 1403, 1492, 1539, and 1594, June 2013 – Jan. 2016
- “Conversations with my drunken brother,” Passages North, April 12, 2012
Normalize Illness
The Picture of Health is an invisible illness awareness program inspired by Leslie's own struggles with fibromyalgia. It seeks to highlight individuals living with invisible physical, chronic, and mental conditions through the art of photography in an effort to normalize illness.
The first Picture of Health event was held in Baton Rouge in May 2019 in partnership with The Healthcare Gallery and Jones Creek Family Dentistry. The preview exhibit was then shown at Southern Cofe (Baton Rouge) through the summer of 2019. The work continues online with an Instagram community of invisible illness warriors.
Inspiration Behind The Picture of Health
Being so closely touched by a variety of invisible illnesses and having been misdiagnosed herself, shining light on invisible illnesses of all kinds became a passion project for Leslie. At the top of September 2017, a simple Facebook post asked people to comment with a selfie if they have invisible illnesses. Some 100 photos later, Leslie knew the project in her head was much bigger than she could imagine.
The Picture of Health in the News
Leslie In The NEws
Interview with Leslie Rose -- We the Scenario podcast.
Leslie Rose and The Picture of Health, Greater Baton Rouge Business Report
Rose gives grace and patience to those who engage with her camera. How much or how little they reveal to the camera or to her is completely their choice. Some display their extensive arrays of medication bottles. Some smile boldly.
True BR: The rising art of spoken word poetry, The Advocate
With a new crop of poets rising from local high schools and universities, this art form has seen new life. Leslie D. Rose, a spoken word poet and journalist, shares an insider’s perspective on the culture of spoken word poetry in Baton Rouge.
Poetic Pair BR couple to showcase poetry, The Advocate
Modern poets tend to love the written and spoken word. For Leslie D. and Donney Rose, the spoken words include “I do.” Poetry helped bring the Baton Rouge couple together. They met at a concert and started seeing each other at poetry readings.
‘Artrepreneurship’ — 3 Tips for Turning Your Creative Endeavor into a Business, LA Tech Park
Leslie Rose, who holds a full-time job while also pursuing creative side projects and working on the Black Out Loud Conference, says she encourages entrepreneurs to not immediately put pressure on their art to support their lives. “Keep your full-time job as long as you can,” she says. “Have your benefits, save your money, go and network and meet people.”
Invisible Warriors: Photo Exhibit Reveals the Truth Behind Invisible Illness, The Jozef Syndicate
When photographer and writer Leslie D. Rose is told “oh, but, you look good! ” it is not a compliment. For many people living with invisible illnesses, very rarely do they “look sick.” And quite often, there is no celebration in looking like they are disease-free when beneath the surface their bodies are fighting debilitating conditions or chronic pain.
Artists filling in the gaps: South Louisiana artists band together to benefit Puerto Rico, The Advocate
Their vacation in December 2016 came at the end of a particularly painful year, but Leslie Rose and her husband, Donney, found a spirit of rejuvenation in Puerto Rico.
Don't miss these events, Art, The Picture of Health, The Advocate
"The biggest thing is to elicit compassion," Rose says. Through her photos, she wants to show and educate that just because there may not be outward signs, doesn't mean that a neighbor isn't living with an illness. There is also the benefit, Rose says, that by showing others discussing their illnesses, more Baton Rougeans will want to speak up, showing there are many in the community with these medical conditions.
Louisiana Artists for Puerto Rico, Country Roads Magazine
Artists aren't typically inclined to math, but they have a knack for aftermath, emerging with works both healing and buoyant in the wake of disasters. For the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Maria's devastation in Puerto Rico, the Baton Rouge Gallery hosts "Louisiana Artists for Puerto Rico," an evening of music, poetry, and dance led by area poet and media professional Leslie D. Rose, whose Puerto Rican descent prompted, in part, her effort to contribute to the country's reconstruction.
Artists collaborate to help rebuild parts of Puerto Rico a year after Hurricane Maria, BRProud.com
A group of local artists are coming together to benefit those impacted by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico a year ago nearing the one year anniversary.
Xavier names 40 under 40 award recipients, The Advocate
Gonzales Weekly Citizen and Donaldsonville Chief Editor Leslie D. Rose recently was selected as one of Xavier University of Louisiana’s Top 40 under 40 Young Alumni Awards. The awards recognize outstanding professionals under the age of 40 for their contributions to their organizations and to the community.
Jersey Girl Brings the Slam Scene to Well Read Books, The Patch
Rose, who lives in Louisiana but is originally from Mount Holly, has been performing for 9 years and started competing in 2006. "My interest in competing came from the sport feel of it," Rose said. "I have always been a very competitive person with no outlet — I can't play sports, I suck at board games, etc."