Name: Briana Sallis
Company: Mid-West Family Southwest Michigan
What Does Your Company/Organization Do? As Southwest Michigan’s #1 media and marketing leader, we help local businesses and organizations find their authentic voice.
Age: 28
Education: * Graduated South Haven High School – Class of 2014 * Dual Enrollment student at Lake Michigan College, 2012 – 2014 * Gen Eds/Associate’s Degree at Lake Michigan College, 2014 – 2015 * South Haven High School Honor Roll 2010 – 2014 * Michigan State University Deans List, Summer 2016 * Spartan Outstanding Achievement Scholarship, Michigan State University, Nov 2017 * Michigan State University ComArtSci Spring Internship Scholarship Award 1st place recipient, May 2018 * Graduated Michigan State University with BA in Advertising Management, Fall 2018
Accomplishments:
* Professional certifications in Digital Marketing, Data and Analytics, Social Media Management, and Community Management. * Successfully completed Sales University training program at Mid-West Family in 2021-22 * Founded D³ Media, a black-owned, female-owned media business, in December 2020. * Launched media and marketing career at Mid-West Family Southwest Michigan as Digital Innovation & Design Specialist in May 2021; promoted to Director of Community Engagement and Project Management in August 2023. * First woman of color to serve as Director of Community Engagement and Project Management at Mid-West Family Southwest Michigan in 2023. * One of the first Black female on-air influencers for 106.1 The New QYQ, launching the ALT Rising segment on-air and as a podcast in 2023. * Worked at Apple Inc., 2016 – 2017 * Created and hosted Winterfest Bash 2013 and Summerfest Bash 2014, raising $6,000 for Foundry Hall with 100% of proceeds donated. * As Events Coordinator at NAMI Michigan, executed 12 mental health awareness campaigns, raising over $800,000 with 7,500+ participants and 100+ community partnerships. * Developed a public policy webpage for non-partisan voter participation on mental health advocacy, attracting thousands of monthly visits. * Established and led the first social media “takeover” campaign with NAMI Michigan and Active Minds chapters to reduce mental health stigma among teens and young adults. * Helped coordinate and execute the 91st Blossomtime Pageant coverage on 94.9 WSJM and 103.7 COSY-FM, achieving over 458,000 community impressions in 2024. * Led 97.5 Y-Country’s St. Jude Radiothon in 2024, raising a record $45,094 in donations with over 159,000 community impressions. * Spearheaded the first annual Caring ’bout Critters at Christmas initiative, raising $230 and collecting 10 large boxes of pet supplies for local shelters. * Coordinated and helped execute the 2023 Stuff a Truck event on 97.5 Y-Country, raising $45,000 and stuffing seven trucks with food and hygiene items for the Southwestern Michigan Community Action Agency. * Led the May We Thank You initiative, honoring 88 local veterans in Southwest Michigan. * Overhauled and managed internal brand data reporting for Mid-West Family Southwest Michigan’s 11 audio and digital brands. * Established and authored the Community Blog for Mid-West Family Southwest Michigan. * Contributed to and executed the Water Safety PSA campaign, raising awareness in Southwest Michigan since 2022. * Directed the OK2SAY PSA campaign at Mid-West Family, focusing on anti-bullying and mental health for K-12 youth since 2022. * Directed and judged 97.5 Y-Country’s Talent Show in partnership with the Berrien County Youth Fair. * Led the School Supply Superheroes campaign at Mid-West Family, awarding over $2,000 in grants to local teachers. * Founder and Committee Chair, Winterfest Bash 2013 and Summerfest Bash 2014, South Haven, MI. * Volunteer Crisis Intervention Specialist, Crisis Text Line. * Volunteer, NAMI Michigan. *Volunteer, Music Teacher Intern/Mentor with Foundry Hall for Youth Development Corporation’s summer camp program in South Haven. * Communications & Development Chair, Board of Directors, OutCenter of Southwest Michigan, March 2024 – present.
Current City: South Haven, MI
Place You Were Born: Los Angeles, CA
What was your first job? My first job was at Dairy Queen in South Haven, summer of 2012. I still remember how to make blizzards to this day. Ha!
What motivates you to give back to your community? My motivation to give back to my community comes from a deep sense of gratitude and a desire to create positive change. I have been fortunate to receive support and opportunities from my community, and I believe in paying it forward. Seeing the impact of even small acts of kindness, whether it’s supporting mental health initiatives, providing resources for local schools, or fostering a sense of belonging through community events, fuels my passion. Knowing that my efforts can make a difference in someone’s life, especially for those who may not have the same opportunities, inspires me to continue giving back and striving to build a stronger, more inclusive community.
What Superpower would you most love to have? If I could have any superpower, I’d choose the ability to instantly clone myself. Imagine the productivity! I could be at a team meeting, drafting a campaign, and catching up on emails all at once. Plus, I’d never have to miss out on sleep or my favorite TV shows. It’s multitasking taken to a whole new level.
What would you like to leave behind as your legacy once you are gone? I hope to leave behind a legacy of compassion and positive impact, where my efforts have contributed to a more inclusive and supportive community. I want to be remembered for empowering others, fostering meaningful connections, and creating opportunities for growth and change. By uplifting those around me and championing the causes I believe in, I aspire to inspire others to do the same, ensuring that the ripple effect of kindness and support continues long after I am gone.
