Resume
Rhonna-RoseAkama-Makia
Trauma Informed Legal Professional
Almost 20 years of experience in human resource management, employment compliance, and immigration advocacy.
Rhonna-Rose is not an attorney and does not provide legal advice or legal services. Legal work described on this site is performed under attorney supervision.
“Rhonna-Rose is the only person I have worked with whom I would follow to almost any organization or project.”
“Problems were addressed directly and without fanfare. Credit was given where it was due and clear expectations for the future were always set.”
“Rhonna will undoubtedly be a respected leader, a voice for all, and an invaluable asset anywhere she lands.”
Core competencies
Trauma Informed Employment PracticeCompliance, accountability, and dignity in employee relations.
Workplace Investigations and Employment ComplianceThe facts, the law, and the people, handled with discretion.
Immigration Legal PracticeCasework, research, and client care in family based and humanitarian matters.
Advocacy and Coalition BuildingPolicy, partnership, and direct support for immigrant families.
Operations Leadership at ScaleCompliance, budgets, and people under real deadlines.
Public AffairsCampaigns, communications, and advisory work from school board to U.S. Senate.
Experience
People Operations and Human Resources
Director of People Operations and CultureACLU of Michigan
June 2026 to present
People and Culture ManagerMothering Justice
September 2024 to July 2026
Director of Affiliate HRArkansas Community Foundation
June 2017 to February 2020
Director of Statewide OutreachArkansas Community Foundation
June 2016 to June 2017
Legal and Immigration
Legal AssistantBlumenau Law, PLLC
January 2026 to present
Volunteer, File ManagementMichigan Immigrant Rights Center
January to July 2026
Volunteer Legal Services, Immigration ClinicNigerian Center
March to July 2026
Organizational Leadership
PresidentGABA Foundation
January 2025 to present
Deputy Development DirectorOne Fair Wage
March to June 2024
Managing DirectorThink Rubix LLC
January to May 2023
Senior AdvisorThink Rubix LLC
January to June 2021
Program DirectorJust Communities of Arkansas
June 2010 to June 2016
Public Affairs
Campaign Management
Federal
Hill HarperU.S. Senate, Michigan
August 2023 to January 2024
Jana SanchezU.S. House, TX-06
February to May 2021
Joyce ElliottU.S. House, AR-02
March to November 2020
Gubernatorial
Chris JonesGovernor of Arkansas
June 2021 to November 2022
State Legislative
Kyle WrightMichigan House District 29
August to November 2024
Ryan DavisArkansas House District 34
January to March 2020
Judicial
Cara Connors12th Division Circuit Court, Arkansas
January to May 2022
School Board
Vicki HatterLittle Rock School Board, Zone 6
November to December 2020
Ballot Measure
Property Tax Renewal MeasureLittle Rock School District
October to November 2022
Senior Advisory
Blake TierneyLittle Rock City Director
August to November 2024
Caitlin for ArkansasU.S. House, AR-03
August to November 2024
Dianne MoralesNew York City Mayor
April to June 2021
Finance Director
Hill HarperU.S. Senate, Michigan
January to March 2024
Communications Director
Joyce Elliott for CongressU.S. House, AR-02
December 2019 to March 2020
Ryan DavisArkansas House District 34
October 2019 to January 2020
Digital Director
Candlewishes FoundationPhoenix, Arizona
November 2020 to March 2021
Denise EnnettArkansas House District 36
September to November 2018
Gina Radke“More Than,” book launch
September to November 2018
Community Organizing and Communications
Change AgentArkansas United
August 2012 to December 2020
VP of Marketing and CommunicationsAfricans of Arkansas
October 2016 to 2020
Education and Credentials
Education
Cooley Law SchoolJD Candidate
University of Michigan FlintBachelor of Business Administration, 2026Certificate - Business AnalyticsCertificate - International Business DevelopmentDean's List
Credentials
PHRi, Professional in Human Resources, InternationalHR Certification Institute, 2026
aPHRi, Associate Professional in Human Resources, InternationalHR Certification Institute, 2025
Paralegal CertificateCenter for Legal Studies, with Washtenaw Community College
Removal Defense TrainingNational Immigration Project
OSHA 30 Hour Outreach Training, General IndustryOSHA Education Center
Board and Civic Leadership
Chair (2019), Create Little Rock Young ProfessionalsLittle Rock Regional Chamber
May 2012 to December 2020
Member, Junior CommitteeThe Little Rock Club
April 2017 to January 2020
Secretary, RotaractRotary Club
January to December 2015
SecretaryYoung Nonprofit Professionals Network
June 2013 to May 2014
Volunteer Service
Volunteer CoordinatorTEDx Markham Street
September 2016 to December 2017
Power of the Purse CommitteeWomen's Foundation of Arkansas
June to September 2015
Camp Rock CounselorArkansas Minority Health Commission
Summer 2013
Memberships
Current
Junior League of Detroit
2025 to present
Detroit Economic Club, Young Leader
2024 to present
Detroit Institute of Arts
2024 to present
Public Relations Society of America, Detroit
2024 to present
Junior League history
Junior League of Ann Arbor
2024 to 2025
Junior League of Washington
2021 to 2024
Junior League of Little Rock
2014 to 2021
Past
ABFE: A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities
2018 to 2019
SHRM, Central Arkansas Chapter
2016 to 2019
Speaking
Opening SpeechChris Jones for Governor Virtual Rally
February 2022
Presenting Sponsorship SpeechKing Kennedy Dinner
February 2022
“The Art of Failure”The Yarn Storytelling
February 2019
“Compassion Fatigue, Burnout and Self Care”Young Nonprofit Professionals Network
November 2018
Published Work
“You're Welcome: How Southern Democrats Can Continue to Save Our Nation's Democracy”San Diego Voice and Viewpoint
August 2021
“Truths We Tell: Stories From The Yarn Stage”The Yarn Storytelling
October 2021