Kindra Parker

Detroit native Kindra Parker earned a B.A. in Public Relations from Wayne State University while also studying Music Technology. Additionally, she studied Music Production and Engineering at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. While at Berklee she established a nationwide circle of friends and colleagues, many of whom later became the backbone of the urban music industry. Upon graduation, she worked as a freelance publicist for recording artist Dwele (Virgin Records.) Along with Virgin Records, she coordinated street-team campaigns, assisted in marketing and PR efforts, and planned record release events, listening parties, and staged events. Soon after, Kindra moved to New York City and began working with Oprah’s Oxygen Media in the Music and Talent department as a freelancer. She later obtained a corporate position with a communications firm and quickly moved up the ladder. Being sure to keep her entertainment contacts and skills sharp Kindra simultaneously worked as a publicist for indie music artists and labels while working on grassroots marketing campaigns for record labels such as Koch, ABB, Tres, and Virgin.

In 2009 at the request of Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey, Kindra founded and served as VP and Executive Director of The J Dilla Foundation a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to help fund and develop inner-city music programs, and provide scholarships to students attending schools that have progressive music curricula. After developing and branding the Detroit based organization as an internationally supported and recognized non-profit entity she handed the Foundation over to the Yancey Family to continue on the prestigious legacy.

In 2011 Kindra moved on to establish Larimar Entertainment, an avant-garde Consulting and Marketing Company specializing in events, social media and entertainment. Now a resident of Martha's Vineyard, she has worked in the marketing industry for 15+ years and is dedicated to exposing, developing, and guiding choice brands and artists as an innovative business consultant and progressive marketing manager. You can see her work here and read more of her industry insights via her music column for Examiner.com .