La'Verne Washington Travel Agent, Entertainment Consultant/Author/Entertainer, Event/Entertainment Consultant Self employed
Location:
Washington,
DC United States Joined:
May 18th, 2015
The Author, La’Verne Washington, aka “LV” Washington, began her journey with the book’s characters Detectives Brenda Jackson and Jade LaFont over 10 years ago. As the idea developed, she began writing new chapters and adding pages. The book finally began to take shape and the story was born, it was completed in August of 2014 for publication.
Born and raised in Kansas City, MO, she attended Southeast High School and studied music at Charlie Parker Academy as a student and later as a vocal teacher and administrator. La’Verne attended Langston University, the historic HBCU located in Oklahoma. She received a B.A. majoring in Communications/ Journalism with a minor in Music. She graced the Cover of Ebony Magazine in 1978 as the school’s representative for Campus Queens. La’Verne is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
In the late 70s and early 80s La’Verne worked as a a professional Songwriter, Keyboardist and Vocalist. She performed and recorded with her Jazz and R&B Bands in Kansas City, and performed and traveled throughout the country. She now performs primarily for fundraisers and social causes from time to time and is also recording a CD of her original works, due in 2016. Her career led her to Washington, DC, in the early 80’s where she refers to herself, when asked as a “transplanted Washingtonian” 34 years later.
La’Verne’s Arts Career began in Washington, DC in the 90’s as a Grants Officer for the National Endowment for the Arts. Later for 15 years, she worked a labor of love first as a Grant Administrator with the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, providing emergency assistance grants to artists’ in need. Later, she worked as the Associate Producer for the Annual Pioneer Awards Gala, given to Honor R&B Legends of the 1940s-1970s. She is honored to have known and worked with, some great musical legends, including the late Etta James, Ruth Brown and the late Harvey Fuqua. Also many, many others , too many to name, but definitely includes two awesomely talented ladies, her mentors of today, the legendary Dee Dee Sharp and Bonnie Raitt, both admired greatly. LV currently works in the Washington, DC area as an Entertainment and Event Consultant, and is proud to add the name “AUTHOR” to the list of her accomplishments.
After working on and writing my book off and on for over 5 years, (Self-Published) "Angels of Dupont Circle" was finished this year. It is a fiction novel that features two African American Female Detective characters. They fight crime and corruption in Washington, DC in the 1980's. There were many homeless people on the streets as well as scores of people getting addicted to crack cocaine which took over and took out many lives across the United States. The detectives jobs are on the line, the Homeless are being murdered the crime must be solved, a great novel, murder-mystery. Find it on Amazon.com and Barnes and Nobles. Also, look for her CD to come out in 2016.
Executive Producer|
Tinner Hill Music Festival
From October 2023 to July 2024 • 1 year(s)
Produced and directed all elements involved in the 2024 music festival including booking national and local recording artists, marketing, fundraising, and coordinating with local officials and businesses.
Music History Research Consultant|
African American Music Association
From May 2021 to January 2023 • 2 year(s)
Conducted music research for history project, completed project website.
Freelance Writer|
Community Magazine
From January 2019 to December 2020 • 1 year(s)
Online music and entertainment writer digitally covering DC/MD and Virginia.
Executive Assistant to Owner|
Blues Alley Jazz Club
From November 2013 to August 2015 • 2 year(s)
Consultant, talent booker and executive assistant for jazz club and society.
VIP Travel & Hospitality Manager|
National Cherry Blossom Festival
From January 2012 to June 2012 • 0 year(s)
Booked travel and accommodations for entertainers, managed hospitality for VIPs and international visitors for 100th Anniversary celebration.
Owner|
Specialty Travel and Events
From January 2008 to December 2010 • 2 year(s)
Home-based travel agent specializing in cruise and travel, generated over $25,000 in cruise business.
Grants Research Consultant|
Arts and Humanities Council
From January 2009 to December 2009 • 0 year(s)
Conducted grants research for arts and humanities council.
Marketing Consultant|
Freedom Theatre
From January 2008 to December 2008 • 0 year(s)
Marketing consultant and events coordinator for theatre.
Assistant to CEO|
Universal Companies, Gamble-Huff
From January 2008 to December 2008 • 0 year(s)
Artist liaison and event coordinator for music company.
Project Director/Producer|
Rhythm and Blues Foundation
From December 2005 to July 2007 • 2 year(s)
Provided oversight and management of $500,000 production for annual Pioneer Awards Gala, acted as primary contact for major celebrities and honorees.
Grants Administrator/Associate Producer|
Rhythm and Blues Foundation
From January 1996 to December 2004 • 8 year(s)
Managed and administered 3 National Grant Programs providing emergency assistance to aging R&B artists with budgets totaling over $5 million.
Program Specialist, Media Arts|
National Endowment for the Arts
From January 1988 to December 1995 • 7 year(s)
Served as Grants Specialist for Radio and Media, administered $800,000 budget, reviewed proposals and managed peer review panels.
