Biography

Dr. Keena Blackmon has over fifteen years of experience in communications, public relations, media relations, and image repair management.

In her most recent role, Blackmon serves as the Director of Communication for the DC Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA), acting as the agency’s spokesperson and media liaison.

Before joining CFSA, she was the Director of Strategic Communication and Public Information Officer (PIO) for the DC Department of Corrections (DOC). 

Prior to her work at DOC, Blackmon was the Communications Manager for the National Children’s Center, a local nonprofit that was one of the region’s largest non-governmental providers of services for the developmentally disabled. The organization provided a wide range of services to infants, children, and adults in the Washington metropolitan area. In that role, she played a key role in internal and external communications, as well as in marketing, public relations, and tactical planning for the organization.

She received her Doctorate in May 2015 from Howard University in Communication, Culture, and Media Studies. Her dissertation, titled “Rerouting Through Reality: A Case Study on Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson’s Use of Reality Television to Change His Image in the Media”, centered on her interest in sports, public relations, and image repair strategies. Blackmon’s research also focuses on media images and racial and gender inequality.

She received both her Bachelor’s (Broadcast Journalism) and Master’s (Radio/Television/Film) from Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas.

During her time in academia, Blackmon has taught speech, public relations, and communications courses at Howard University (DC), Community College of Baltimore County (MD), and Montgomery College (MD). Teaching holds a special place in her heart; she enjoys the opportunity to share her professional experiences with aspiring communications professionals.

In addition to teaching, Blackmon is a former athlete and an avid sports fan and she loves all things fashion. Blackmon is often invited to speaking engagements and guest lecturing opportunities where she can talk about some of her favorite things: communication, sports, and fashion.

She currently resides in Washington, DC, but her heart will always be in her hometown of Missouri City, Texas.