MONTHLY WORDS

WORDS FOUNDER ...

Tameka Washington is the talented and versatile personality behind In the Words Consulting. Tameka has managed to couple her loyalty to the written word and her loveable persona to form the editorial service that boasts such Fortune 500 clients as USA Weekend magazine and America Online (AOL) along with a host of other businesses and individuals across various industries.

Her mantra:“Choose your words carefully. Use your words wisely. Make sure that the words you use are necessary and effective in getting your message across. Remember, your words are powerful."

If people just wanted a stick in the mud grammar police they could finger through the latest version of an Editing for Dummies-like book. It's Tameka's likeable nature and lively affection for the content of words, what the words say, how the words are delivered and what the words mean to the audience and intended market. In recognition of her work, she received a 2003 President's Circle Award from USA Weekend magazine.

Tameka is widely known throughout the media industry as an editor, writer and consultant. Her work has varied largely from entertainment and business, and more recently, her work is more concentrated on offering editorial services and communications across media, health and education-related industries.

WORDS WORK ...

Her 2006 health article written for CMA Today educated medical professionals about the added health risks associated with cardiovascular disease for Latino and African-American women. This turn at health education has led to Tameka creating and revising forms of communication sent to 200,000 employees for the business operations of the nation's largest drugstore chain. Other health education articles include reports on sickle-cell disease as an editor at USA Weekend magazine. More notably as an editor, Tameka's attention to detail and keen interest in the state of affairs led to her moderating a powerful discussion between U.S. Representative J.C. Watts and Angela Sailor of the U.S. Department of Education about the present and future of the educational system.

These experiences were a stepping stone to the start of Basics Communications, a communications and media firm that Tameka founded in 2003. The firm soon became In the Words Consulting in 2008. IWC provides effective communication services and tools that professionals can benefit. It is an editorial service based on communicating through clarity, vision and impact. The service is geared toward helping editors, publishers, trainers, businesses and other professionals communicate their ideas and content in the most appropriate and effective editorial format. Tameka has contributed articles and/or communications to CMA Today, USA Weekend, Demand Studios, WikiChicago.com, Walgreens Company and Monthly Words, a column available exclusively at www.inthewordsconsulting.com/pages/monthly-words.php.

WORDS COMMUNITY ...

Originally from Peoria, IL, Tameka graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with a journalism degree. Her passion for helping youth further their education remains evident in her work, whether it's through the conventional methods of the school system or life experiences. Her leadership became apparent first while working as an editorial assistant. She led a team of college students through the editorial process of producing USA Weekend's annual youth projects. Not only has she become a mentor to aspiring journalists, but to other youth as a Big Sister from 2001-2003. Most recently, Tameka has contributed to a school supply program for elementary and grammar school students with a Chicago Boys and Girls as well as participate in a Secret Santa Toy Drive for children of low-income households. IWC has been a sponsor of the Swish Dreams Academic & Sports Camp as well as Goddess magazines Teen Expo in Chicago. Currently, she resides in Chicago with her pen and paper, laptop and her words!

To subscribe to an editorial services package or for a project quote, go to subscribe@inthewordsconsulting.com or simply visit www.inthewordsconsulting.com.