Gary Hines
Writing Professional and Radio Host
Are you someone who wants to explore new career opportunities either within your industry or in a completely different industry?
My Career Strategy Course is designed for individuals with extensive work experience and transferable skills who are looking to make a mid-career change.
Who is Gary Hines?
Gary Hines is a budding writer, activist, coach, house music head, pseudo-introvert and lifelong procrastinator- enjoy! Interests include the BIPOC community, house music on the radio, Black culture and cultural interviews and so much more!
Check out my recent interview with Hasan Ali on Career Coaching
My passion for music and art stems from an upbringing with a very diverse and talented group of friends and family members. As a youngster, we listened to everyone from Janis Joplin to Miles Davis to the Funkadelic. Music has been ingrained in me with from my father who thought he was Fats Waller or Billy Eckstein and my brother who thought he was John Coltrane. I dabbled with the piano and the trombone, but was not disciplined enough to stick with it. As I grew up, I came of age in the 70’s and 80’s which I think had the best music of any era. So dance music, deep house, early rap, punk and new wave all appealed to me. It still does.
In writing, I’m exploring my family history in words as well as my personal growth as an out Black man. I lived for a few years in California and it was most definitely a life-changing experience. I want to write about all of that as well as what is happening in my world today.
Visually, I have always been an admirer of offbeat, indie film and TV- think David Lynch and Melvin Van Peeples. I am obsessed with photography and architecture and hope to share the unusual and the unique from things I like. Black Culture and BIPOC interests are always appealing. I like to talk with cultural innovators and explore new ideas and concepts. Maybe you will like them too!
Background
My background in video is mostly on the business side where I created “how to” videos for job seekers. I do career coaching and created various clips on the steps for career preparation and management. My goal in this area is to explore film and video as a creative outlet and also do review and commentary on film, video and TV.
Music has been a major part of my life and I have such a diverse library and musical interest, that i want to share this with others. I was a DJ/Programmer for a few years on an Internet-based radio station known as G-Town Radio in Philadelphia. I had a broadcast show called The Catacombs and played dance/club/house music and interviewed prominent folks in the LGBTQ+ communities.
I’m looking to explore my writing chops with a memoir about my brother and sisters as well as my time in Northern California in the last 70’s early 80’s. My coming out as Gay is also a focus among other things. Most of the writing i plan to do will be non-fiction and personal reflection, Black Culture and interests of BIPOC communities (Black, Indigenous, People of Color).
Professional Achievements
Career Coaching
Report on Corporate Responsibility (for private client)- Gary Hines
-Highlights:
Ø Career Change
Ø Career Coaching
Ø Definition of Corporate Responsibility
Ø Resources-Global UK and US
Ø Industry Trends
Ø Industry Description and Employment Trends
Ø Sample Job Descriptions for Careers in CR and Policy
Ø Public Policy Review
Negotiation 101 by Gary Hines
Usually before you reach a business agreement, you'll need to negotiate. That is, sit down at the proverbial table -- with the other people or companies that are "parties" to the agreement -- and hammer out the details of the contract. If you're new at the game, or need a refresher, it's a good idea to review some of the tried-and-true negotiation strategies.
There have been plenty of books written about negotiating tactics. Many tips are silly. For example, suggesting that you provide caffeinated drinks and food with MSG (without partaking yourself) and then waiting for your negotiation partners to give away the store in a drug-induced daze. Other negotiation tactics are devious and have the potential to backfire -- for example, pretending to have another suitor in the wings, or insisting on negotiating items you don't really care about, so you can pretend to "give in" on those and get all of the things you really want.
Philadelphia Networking for Career Connections by Gary Hines
As a Philadelphia-based career consultant, I have to be in the loop, on the scene and on my A-game when it comes to making meaningful connections. Job seekers and career changers in the Bucks, Berks, and Chester, Delaware and Montgomery county areas should be aware of the many networking opportunities for career and business connections. One great source that I have found in the Delaware Valley is the Meetup network for people seeking job leads, career coaches and connections in Malvern, PA or Cherry Hill NJ. Meetups are structured networking and information sharing events that bring together people interested in the same topics. They mostly happen on a weekly basis through the Greater Philadelphia region.
Business Consulting
Mayor’s Commission on African American Males- Gary Hines- Chair Economic Development
During the December meeting, a topic was brought up about the City of Philadelphia’s City Council’s resolution on the Rebuild project. This project involved a $600-million-dollar investment into the city’s parks, recreation centers and libraries. The resolution calls for the inclusion of minority participation on construction contracts among the key items. (Juwan can speak more on the details of the Rebuild project and its diversity project). The discussion at the December meeting was about the Commission making a public statement or having a public opinion about minority inclusion and the project. There was suggestion that we as the commission that we are, have a succinct public statement ready for the press and others about this project.
I did a phone conference in later December with Commission Rafiq Al-Fareed and Mister Bennett to discuss concerns and what the commission might want to say on the matter. It was suggested that since we are a city supported commission with a focus on African American males and a committee on economic development, that it would be appropriate that we are involved in this project. The concerns raised are echoed in the resolution on oversight and inclusion to contracts and how that looks for Black-owned businesses.
Writing:
Pseudo Extroverts in the Workplace by Gary Hines for LinkedIn
What is a Pseudo Extrovert?
We all know what an extrovert is or at least the characteristics of a true extrovert. Loud, brassy, ballsy and seeking attention. But a pseudo-extrovert? Who are these people? Pseudo-extroverts are really introverted people who exhibit extroverted behavior for a variety of reasons. Their behavior can be considered situational. Many pseudo-extroverts have to present an outward appearance for their jobs. Thanks to a book that I have been reading over the last two years, I have discovered that I am an introvert with a classic pseudo-extrovert personality. I’ve never really thought about introvert-extrovert stuff until I picked up a book entitled “Quiet” The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. By Susan Cain. Great read!
So I’m an introvert. But you can’t tell that to my friends who think I’m the Ultimate Extrovert. I laugh, I smile a lot, and tell witty and funny tales. Little do they know that I am secretly dying to get home to watch House of Cards!
I would rather be alone reading, writing, researching, surfing or data mining. But, sometimes in my job and career as a consultant, I have to be in the spotlight with giving presentation, attending meetings, doing one-on-one coaching and other people-filled events. Oh and I have to network, which is often not a good fit for introverts.
Gary’s BIO
Gary Hines is a seasoned business professional with over 30 years of experience in Workforce Development, Education, Project Management, and Program Development. Gary is the President and Owner of a career consulting firm in the Philadelphia area. The Gary Hines Consulting Group LLC which specializes in professional services for companies, non-profits, community organizations and individuals. Services include program development and management, business analysis, job readiness and individual career and educational coaching. The company is registered as a business supplier in the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey as well as the city of Philadelphia. He holds a BA in Organizational Management from Eastern University and a MS in Instructional Technology from Chestnut Hill College.
Gary is a community activist and has belonged to such organizations as Liberty City Democrats LGBT Political Action Committee, the advisory board of Philadelphia FIGHT, a commissioner on the Mayor’s Commission on African American Males, and has sat on academic advisory boards at Drexel University as well as the Minority Business Development Commission under Governor Ed Rendell. Gary lives in the Germantown section of Philadelphia.
Recent Work
Radio Show
House Music & Shop Talk will focus on the classic house and dance tracks that were played almost exclusively in clubs and after-hours night spaces. Various DJ’s on crafted their skills with audience response, came into being at this time. The show will also feature talk and commentary with special guests in the fields of Art, Fashion, Video and BIPOC activism.
Writing
Writing memoir is new for me and will be an on-going space for my work as well as the work of other writers/bloggers with a diverse points of view. I will encourage feedback, critique and out-of-the-box thinking. I’ll also post my earlier short stories that I created in the 90’s for Colours Magazine and Men of All Colors Together.
Guest Post
I will be inviting folks to submit stories and ideas as well as commentary and music clips to share. Posts will be monitored for content and is subject to review before posting.
