Lauren Carter

Lauren E. Carter

Skills Overview

• Freelance writer/music journalist well-versed in writing, editing and proofreading
• Borderline encyclopedic knowledge of music across genres and time periods
  
• Comfortable with deadlines
• Reliable, responsible and honest
• Types 85 words per minute
• Skilled in Microsoft Office, Windows, Windows XP and Vista
• Access to wireless Internet in all locations
• Comfortable working onsite or telecommuting

Notables

• Judge at Property of Boston: Industry Networking Event in Boston on Nov. 2009
• Guest on WNYC's music talk show "Soundcheck" to discuss *hot* summer music in June 2009.
  
• Speaker at "Let's Talk: Respecting Racial and Cultural Differences" forum in Attleboro, Ma. in Feb. 2008.
  
• 2005 College Diversity Scholarship winner for nonfiction essay, Isn't Watermelon Delicious?
• 2005 CSPA Gold Circle Award for nonfiction essay, The New Face of Racism
• 2004 College Diversity Scholarship for nonfiction essay, The New Face of Racism
• 2004 Hall of Black Achievement Student Achievement Award.

BA in English, concentration in Writing, December 2004, Summa Cum Laude
Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, Ma.  

• Departmental Honors; 3.99 GPA; Dean's List, all semesters
• Certified to teach High School English in Massachusetts 

Brown University - Providence, R.I.

•  Completed three semesters towards a bachelor's degree prior to leaving

May 2005-present

• Write articles, reviews and columns on a freelance basis for newspapers, magazines and online publications. Topics covered include music, entertainment, lifestyle, pop culture, human interest, sports-related features and local news. 

• Write artist bios, press releases and marketing/PR copy for companies, individuals and artists. 

• My work has appeared in the following publications: The Boston Herald, The Boston Phoenix, XXLMag.com, The Sun Chronicle, America Now: Short Readings from Recent Periodicals, New England Patriots GameDay, SOHH.com, BlackPower.com, BallerStatus.com, 5Star Magazine, InMotion Magazine, the Bay State Banner, Boston Live Magazine and TheBridge journal.
  

• Artists/entertainers I have interviewed include: Stevie Nicks, Bill Cosby, Jay Leno, Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson, Nas, 50 Cent, Ice Cube, T.I., Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels of Run DMC, Bell Biv DeVoe (Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe), MC Lyte, Wyclef Jean, Nelly Furtado, Fabolous, The-Dream, Robin Thicke, Jamie Foxx, Al Green, Patti LaBelle, Ralph Johnson of Earth, Wind & Fire, Airrion Love of The Stylistics, Masta Ace, Prodigy of Mobb Deep, Musiq Soulchild, Raphael Saadiq, Raheem DeVaughn, Jeremih, Janelle Monae, Katy Perry, David Foster, Vaughn Anthony (John Legend's younger brother), Jordin Sparks, The Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, David Archuleta, Drake Bell, "American Idol" season 8 finalists Anoop Desai, Danny Gokey, Matt Giraud, Scott MacIntyre, Allison Iraheta and Michael Sarver; Taylor Hanson of Hanson, Robyn, Brian "Danger Mouse" Burton of Gnarls Barkley, Buckwild (multiplatinum producer for Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Nas, Big L, Big Pun), Jimi Kendrix (platinum producer for Jay-Z, G-Unit, Ja Rule) The Alchemist, Obie Trice, Ca$his, Stat Quo, DanTheMan (G-Unit video director), Rik Cordero (Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel video director), Rock of Boot Camp Clik, Brother Ali, Dan the Automator, Jeffrey Osborne, Claude McKnight of Take Six, Rich Cronin of LFO, Drake Bell and Funkmaster Flex.
  
  
• Pro athletes I have interviewed include: Randy Moss, Rodney Harrison, Rosevelt Colvin, Adalius Thomas, Laurence Maroney, Junior Seau, Ellis Hobbs, Asante Samuel, Donte Stallworth, Jabar Gaffney, Sammy Morris, Kelley Washington, Deltha O' Neal, Dan Koppen, Lonie Paxton, Brandon Meriweather, James Sanders, Matt Light, Ryan O' Callaghan, Russ Hochstein and Kevin Faulk (all of the New England Patriots).
  
  
• Boston-area artists I have covered include: Millyz, Edo G, Special Teamz, Reks, Masspike Miles, Proph Bundy, WMS The Sultan, NBS (Natural Born Spitters), Certified G'z, Ahmir, Jada, Ayla Brown, Renee Marcou, Noel Gourdin, SureFire Music Group, J.C.I.T.Y and Akrobatik.

Staff Writer                            
The Sun Chronicle                        
Attleboro, Ma.

September 2005-September 2006

• Gather information through meetings, interviews, press releases, media kits and research.
• Write news and feature stories, concert reviews, entertainment reports and personal columns for this daily newspaper.
• Proofread pages before they are sent to press.
  

2002-2005

• Write, proofread, and edit compelling advertising copy for client websites and print materials such as brochures and fliers.
  

Editor-In-Chief                      
theBridge, a student journal of Fine Art                  
Bridgewater State College

2003-2005

• Manage the production of this award-winning, student-run journal, including: promotion, collection and selection of submissions, editing, proofreading, layout, distribution, and public relations.
  

Script Writer                             
Massachusetts Department of Correction                      
Bridgewater, Ma.          

2002-2003

• Research Walpole State Prison's history; develop outlines and write sections of a documentary script.