Catherine Mariko Black

Catherine Mariko Black – communications catalyst, writer, community organizer.

---

Catherine Mariko Black was born in Kenya but raised in Kailua, on the island of O‘ahu in Hawai‘i. After graduating from Brown University with a B.A. in Religious Studies, she returned to the Islands as a journalist and community activist, exploring the connections between environment and culture, social movements and local identity. She spent over a decade in San Francisco and Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she co-founded and ran a community newspaper and a cultural magazine in the city’s historic district. In 2012, she moved back to Hawai‘i with her husband to be closer to her family and currently works as Director of Campaign Communications at Punahou School.

Communications Officer - Bulletin Editor at Punahou School

November 2012 - Present | Honolulu, Hawaii

Responsible for editing a 100+ page quarterly magazine for the largest independent K-12 school in the U.S. as well as providing support to the Communications and External Relations departments.

Partner at Catalyst Communications, LLC

June 2012 - Present | Hawai‘i

Catalyst Communications is a communications consulting firm specializing in nonprofit and community-based projects. Services include content development and messaging, strategy, outreach and marketing, event facilitation and web/graphic design.

Director, Co-founder and Editor-in-Chief at El Sol de San Telmo

September 2007 - May 2012 | Buenos Aires, Argentina

El Sol de San Telmo is a community-based media and development project dedicated to strengthening the social, cultural and historic heritage of the Historic District in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In addition to its monthly print publication and website, El Sol de San Telmo organizes regular round table discussions, community gatherings and festivals and initiatives to broaden citizen participation, education and communication.

Co-founder and Editorial Director at Revista TELMA

June 2010 - May 2012 | Buenos Aires, Argentina

TELMA is a cultural magazine dedicated to covering and exploring the Historic District of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Communications Director, Project Manager at DW Alliance LLC

September 2007 - December 2010

In charge of communications and marketing strategy for a Bay Area software company (www.dwalliance.com). Responsibilities: worked directly with the president of the company to design and implement a marketing and communications strategy for an online software suite; editing, writing and managing of company website including SEO; seeking out and managing online co-marketing opportunities; creating marketing and promotional collateral; communication and client relations.

Communications Director at New America Media (formerly Pacific News Service)

June 2001 - October 2005

Directed internal and external communications for an established non-profit, independent media and policy organization dedicated to incorporating new or marginalized voices in the public discourse. Responsibilities included: media outreach, community relations, event organization, strategic planning, fundraising, project management, and working closely with the Executive Director.

Contributing Writer at Green Magazine

2010

Author of feature articles on ecology, sustainability and cultural issues in Hawai'i. Most recently: the evolution of the independent taro-farming movement and wastewater management.

Contributing Writer at Honolulu Weekly

2009

Author of feature articles on issues relating to sustainability and culture in Hawai'i (most recently, a cover story on the movement to legalize Pa'i 'Ai, or hand-pounded poi; as well as a feature on the U.S. Army's use of Makua Valley for military training exercises).

Brown University

1995 – 1999

B.A. Religious Studies (with Honors)

Punahou School

1989 – 1994

Community-building, writing, ecology, food, health, kung fu, travel.