Tia Blount, Director of Public Affairs and Communications, joined HOC in November 2022. She is responsible for developing, implementing and conducting a comprehensive program for internal and external communications for all aspects of HOC’s programs, plans, and initiatives. She ensures that the Commission’s communications are at the highest level of impact, creativity and professionalism to ensure that the HOC brand aligns with its mission and strategic objectives.
Ms. Blount has more than 20 years of experience in integrated marketing and communications, branding, social and traditional media, resource and project management and fundraising. She has led local, national and international campaigns and programs around HIV/AIDS, malaria, real estate and community development, occupational therapy and a range of other important issues.
She previously served as both Chief of Strategy and Vice President of External Relations for the Community Preservation and Development Corporation (CPDC). Prior to joining CPDC in 2012, she spent nearly 10 years working for two large Non-Governmental Organizations committed to developing life-saving vaccines and drugs to fight malaria and HIV: the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative and the International Partnership for Microbicides. During her career in global health, Ms. Blount built communication capacity across dozens of clinical research centers throughout Africa and has worked to raise the profile of malaria vaccines and HIV microbicides across the United States, Europe and Africa.
Ms. Blount is a passionate and compelling speaker, trainer and no-nonsense budgeting coach with more than 14 years of experience developing and leading training programs, facilitating large group discussions and presenting at major meetings and conferences all across the United States, Europe and Africa. Ms. Blount holds a Master of Arts in Public Communication from American University and a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Florida A&M University.