meet kathy o. lofton, mba, mpa
The creative behind
Lofton Media
Kathy O. Lofton is a business, non-profit, public service, and arts professional with a background that includes theater and music. Her core early career experience includes healthcare & managed care sales. Kathy's serious writing efforts began in her high school honors and AP-level (college equivalent) course tracks. This led to job roles and extracurricular pursuits wielding the pen. She is a member of Indie Media Arts South (IMAS), a regional subgroup of the National Independent Media Arts Group created by Sundance Institute and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Little Known Facts:
Did you know that Kathy produced her VERY first documentary at age 10 as a student of the C.L.U.E. program for gifted students?
She won her first social campaign t-shirt design contest at age 11.
At age 14, she won first-place in her middle school's talent show due to her stage presence, creative style, and savvy for putting on an intimate production for the judges. She incorporated both a fellow student flute player to accompany her and requested dimmed auditorium lights and only a spot light on her when stepping out on stage to perform Bette Midler's The Rose. (thank you Amy!!!)
Pssst- I used to play volleyball for two teams as an adult. Jersey numbers 7 and 11. Loved it!
Jayn (Hebrew) of All Trades:
Career history includes support roles in the C-suite, city/state/federal government, banking/financial, HR, healthcare, transportation/logistics, non-profit, communications, marketing, film and education arenas. Favorite past job- working part-time loading up repaired FedEx courier equipment, scanning pre-wrapped pallets, and preparing the shipments and manifest to arrange transport from the warehouse to the Memphis hub for a FedEx major corporate account.
Assigned in Washington, DC as a special assistant to a presidential appointee as part of a competitive MPA fellowship.
Served as a substitute teacher for over 15 years in both suburban and inner-city schools, working with mainstream, marginal, and special needs students.
Additional work sets: Program manager, vocational educator, curriculum developer, and job skills trainer for at-risk young adults and seniors.
Change Agent:
Actively supported her local community by sitting on non-profit boards, assuming leadership roles in impactful organizations, and volunteerism.
"One of 50 Women Who Make a Difference in Memphis," Memphis Woman Magazine (2004).
Recipient of both the "Public Awareness" and "Caregiver of the Year" awards from Arc of the Midsouth (2016).
Guest panelist and film screening on non-paid family caregiving with local radio personality, staff and live audience, hosted by AARP New York State Office of Multicultural Affairs, Manhattan (2016).
Pioneer and Leader:
Former National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA)- Memphis chapter president and original appointee of the seven-member national CEO's chapter presidents advisory board. Received the “Chapter of the Year” award two consecutive years. The only president with this distinction in the history of the Memphis chapter.
A Winner:
First-place winner, Samsung Electronics Hope for Education essay contest. Winnings of $10k in electronics directed to an impoverished inner-city elementary school.
Top 3 finalist and monetary prize winner, community-themed PSA competition sponsored by Facing History and Ourselves, Bridges, and the National Civil Rights Museum. PSA concept focused on the possibilities for African-American male youth in detention at Juvenile Court in Downtown Memphis.
2016 Best Hometowner Documentary Feature winner Indie Memphis Film Festival, I Am a Caregiver
2018 Commendation, Tether (experimental film short) Women Over Fifty Film Festival, London (UK)
2019 Best Educational Film Award March Edition, I Am a Caregiver, Crownwood International Film Festival, Kolkata (India)
2020 5th Weimar Film Award Nominee, International Poetry Film Festival Thuringia (Germany)
2022 winner Best Director First Time Music Video, Magic Eyes, Rome Video Music Awards (Italy)
2024 winner Best Cinematography Magic Eyes, Film Endowment Festival (Nashville)
Credentials:
Marquis Who's Who in America
BBA- Fogelman College of Business and Economics, Memphis State University (now University of Memphis)
Executive MBA- Management, Union University (first cohort of the Germantown Campus)
Master of Public Administration (MPA), CUNY Baruch College, Austin W. Marxe School of Public and International Affairs
2007 National Urban Fellow at Baruch
2010 Class of Leadership Memphis
2004 Class of Nexus Leadership
AmeriCorps Alumna
