TEAM APS

Alexandra P. Sims believes that one’s birthplace and economic status should not disproportionately determine one’s life journey. Her career path has taught her that real change can be brought about when there is synergy and empathy of aligned purposes among all public affairs sectors: private, government, philanthropy and strong grassroots organizing. These forces working in coordination can create the “great leveler” intended by the country’s founding principles. “Alex” came to Chicago by way of Metro Detroit, to attend Northwestern University, where she majored in social and educational policy. She graduated with honors in 2010 and reaffirmed her belief in the power of democracy and the commitment to advocating for the marginalized and undeserved. Having been awarded a prestigious CORO Fellowship following graduation, Alex was assigned by the CORO program to serve in the St. Louis, Missouri area and on completion of the program, followed her passion for educating and inspiring students and accepted the role of Vice Principal in a progressive school located in north St. Louis. Motivated by President Barack Obama’s education and social policies, Alex was appointed to head his 2012 Presidential Campaign for the St. Louis region re-election effort. Following President Obama’s historic victory, Alex continued as a State Coordinator with Organizing for Action (OFA), and relocated to the Chicago headquarters. It was there that she more fully recognized the importance of voting rights and parlayed that invaluable experience and growing expertise towards founding the Chicago-based Every Vote Counts. As its first Executive Director, she directed the registration of over 120,000 voters in (4) four months – the largest voter registration campaign in the country that year. As the Campaign Manager for Kurt Summers 2014 race for Chicago City Treasurer, she directed Treasurer Summers’ broad and impactful platform. Once elected, Alex was named Senior Advisor for the Treasurer’s Office and helped advance an aggressive and strategic agenda of financial equity and access. Their documented and widely lauded initiative called “Chicago’s 77” – visiting 77 neighborhoods in 77 days, aided the passing of landmark legislation for improved tax payer investments, developed constituent communication program, and served as liaison for all levels of government and political influencers. The recent establishment of APS Associates, distills the remarkable skills and talents Alex has honed and the launch of her firm will provide vast proficiency to a variety of clients in governmental affairs, grassroots organizing, non-profit and political strategizing. To date, those partners include JB Pritzker, Kurt Summers, Kim Foxx, Chicago Aldermanic Black Caucus, Bill Lowry, The Obama Foundation, Ichor Strategies, and more

Mary Datcher is a journalist, marketing specialist, public relations, and political consultant. Growing up in Chicago, Ms. Datcher has enjoyed a prominent career in the music and entertainment industry for the past 29 years. During her tenure, she has held positions at WGCI FM (Chicago), BMG Distribution, UNI Distribution (Universal Music Group), Def Jam Music Group, and George’s Music Room, in 1992 she formed On the Street Promotions and Marketing. OTSP specializes in executing field and event marketing programs with its primary focus on the music industry. Within three decades of the company’s duration, OTSP has worked with 300+ companies, consulting and developing marketing campaigns, producing national and local events, branding lifestyle concepts and music artist development. In 2004 she co- founded the world-renowned Core DJ Retreat, transitioning to form the Global Mixx DJ Retreat in 2005—currently known as the ​Global Mixx Music & Film Forum​. Global Mixx Music & Film Forum was created to bring business education and seminars to aspiring professionals and students seeking a career in the entertainment, arts and film industry. Over the years, the company has produced several music driven events that have included celebrated industry leaders such as Kanye West, Jaheim, Kindred the Family Soul, Bilal, Eve, Eryka Badu, Jill Scott, Chingy, Wu-Tang Clan, Faith Evans, DJ Tony Touch, KRS-One, Grammy-Award winning artists, Luther Vandross, Common, Naughty by Nature, NBA star Antoine Walker and the list goes on. Mary Datcher has guided her company on projects that have included political clients–   Commissioner Jerry ‘Iceman Butler, Congressman Bobby L. Rush, Chris Kennedy, and Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr. and many others. Corporate clients have included—Jeep, American Family Insurance, Gentle Hair Treatment, Tanqueray, Baileys, Nike, KBA Marketing/Draft Worldwide, Salem (RJ Reynolds), Seagram Americas, K Cider, Target, Cingular Wireless, UBO, Warner Bros. Records, RCA Records, Sony Music Group, Motown Records, Def Jam Music Group, Effen Vodka, Frontline Marketing, Geffen Records, New Music Seminar, Hidden Beach Recordings, DreamWorks, Crown Royal, Baileys and Martell Cognac. In 2012, Global Mixx Media Group was formed to expand the agency’s services beyond the entertainment industry cultivating branding concepts and field marketing projects for nonprofit organizations. As the former Managing Editor for the Chicago Defender, her stories have included the 2016 presidential, Chicago, and statewide races; hard-hitting investigative stories, community and entertainment profiles that has engaged interests and feedback from readers across the country. In 2018, Ms. Datcher co-founded Bronzeville Life, a lifestyle publication owned by the Chicago Defender Charities—a nonprofit managed by the Sengstacke family. In 2020, Ms. Datcher joined the staff of Congressman Bobby Rush (IL-01) as District Director and became incoming Rep. Jonathan Jackson’s team in the same role in February 2023. As District Director, she oversees the operations of the district staff, work with constituents; community groups, and business leaders in addition to working with municipalities throughout the district.

The only child of a single parent committed to principles of equity, local control, and good government, Cameron has spent many days and late nights in the halls of city, county and state government observing the hard work and disciplined thought inherent in creating and sustaining our democratic way of life. She started her first job in high school at the Gary city court assisting the work of the city’s longest sitting judge. She has interacted with Governors, Mayors, legislators, county and township officials in both Illinois and Indiana learning the value and challenge of bi-partisan governance. Cameron has spent her professional career lending creative thought and positive spirit to organizations both public and private. Recognized by key executives and public officials as a critical thinker, self-starter, and passionate equity advocate, she has worked across industry and sector to assist leaders in developing and propelling their respective visions further and faster. Cameron boasts a deep passion for hard work, civic engagement and business management. This led her to help relaunch the nextONE business accelerator program at the Chicago Urban League, one of her proudest accomplishments. Shortly after, Cameron started her own public affairs consultancy, providing logistical and creative support to government-related and civic engagement projects. With her varied professional experience, Cameron brings a unique perspective to every project. She is committed to creating a more equitable city and is constantly exploring the different neighborhoods of Chicago to better understand the community’s needs. Cameron holds a Bachelor of Arts in fashion business and public relations from Columbia College in Chicago.

Avarie Evans-Allen is a strategic and driven organizer with a passion for urban politics and racial equity. After growing up in Toronto, Ontario, she made her way to Chicago in 2017 to study political science and play volleyball at DePaul University. Most recently, she worked as an executive assistant on Governor JB Pritzker’s reelection campaign, where she delivered a strong record of interdepartmental goals. Her adept ability to liaison between management and staff increases overall efficiency and fosters success in the workplace.

Tasia Clark is a recent Xavier University of Louisiana graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree. Tasia has previous experience as an assistant clinic administrator, physician personal assistant, and aldermanic intern. She is a native of the south side of Chicago. Tasia is committed to creating a more just and humane society by advocating for the equality of minorities in healthcare systems and promoting awareness of health disparities.