BUILDING AWARENESS, EQUITY AND ENGAGEMENT WITH INTEGRITY
Philosophy
GreaterWorks! embodies a philosophy of providing “customized” services with integrity. It’s our work-ethic and is at the core of every aspect of operation. We engage a core service team that focuses on strategic development and implementation in creative, production, event management, media relations, etc. The team members for each client are selected based on their specific relevance to the client’s need. Ultimately, this process allows each client to receive optimum service, customized to their objectives and their identity, not the agency’s.
Creola A. Hampton is President/Founder of GreaterWorks! Integrated Marketing Communications, Inc. She has more than 30 years expertise in developing and executing success-filled integrated marketing communications initiatives in both Consumer and Business-to-Business industries, on local, regional and national levels. She has produced and directed strategically developed, award-winning live DVDs, broadcast productions, Social Media Content and Promotion, Webinars, Cultural Competency and Crisis Communications, Issues Management and more for businesses, churches and social service agencies. From VP, senior director positions with Venuso & Associates, Inc. serving Peer Foods, Women's Foodservice Forum, Sara Lee and Kronos, Inc. to Noble & Associates, Inc., as Director, Public Relations for Australian Meat & Livestock Corp., American Dairy Association, McCain Citrus, The Veal Committee, J.R. Simplot and Superior Coffee & Foods and more, Hampton managed clients with agency billings from $35,000 to $1.3M. Her career began in Ogilvy & Mather's media group before she joined Burson-Marsteller serving on account teams for Procter & Gamble , G.D. Searle Dramamine and the introduction of NutraSweet. Since opening her Agency in 2002, Hampton has worked with integrity to represent and elevate the products and services of the clients she has served corporate, community and church/faith-based organizations including Sterno/Candle Corporation, Grandma Maud's, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, South Side Help Center, Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus, Project VIDA, Affinity Community Services, Coca-Cola Foundation, NABOB (National Association of Black-Owned Broadcasters), Valley Kingdom Ministries International, The PowerHouse Chicago and more.
Hampton is one of the founders of the gospel music label Kingdom Records, Inc., and developed and executed marketing communications programs for the company and its premiere artist, Shekinah Glory Ministry. She was awarded a Platinum Record for her role in marketing the company's/artist's first CD, and her efforts garnered Stellar Award nominations for their sophomore project and both Gold and Platinum RIAA for the CD and DVD. The premiere recording of Archbishop William Hudson III “I'll Be Your Worshipper” was also produced and marketed under her direction. Faith-based and non-profit clients that she has served as lead marketing communications and community affairs counsel include the aforementioned as well as Demoiselle2Femme (French for “girls to women.”) and the Illinois African-American HIV/AIDS Response Fund/Act, and Step Up/Get Tested.
Hampton was honored as one of 50 “Black Women of Excellence” by the CHICAGO DEFENDER in 2018, and included in the 2012 "Who’s Who "in Black Chicago also is a member of Chicago's Black Treatment Advocates Network (BTAN) and National Association of Black Journalists.
Hampton received her B.S. from Roosevelt University, and a professional management certificate for Integrated Marketing Services from University of Illinois at Chicago.
Craig Barnes has 20+ years in providing service to major corporations, non-profit organizations, hospitals, schools, universities and government agencies in the area of graphics design and marketing. Barnes served as the Senior Graphic Design consultant for Environmental Design International, Inc. where he coordinated all graphics content for its Chicago headquarters and three national branch offices. Prior to that, Barnes worked for Epstein International, an architectural marketing company, in its business development group, preparing brochures, proposals and presentation materials for its Chicago and seven international branch offices. Barnes has lead in the development of campaign graphics for local politicians, the Southside Neighborhood Gospel Festival (the 2ndlargest gospel festival in Illinois), SCR Transportation, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Dominic’s, National Black Public Relations Society, Prayer & Faith Outreach Ministries, Grandma Maud’s, Candle Corporation of America, Kingdom Records, University of Illinois-Chicago and more. Barnes has a B.S. in Architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Pastor Dennis Morrison II is a multi-faceted leader in strategic planning for community and faith-based entities. In addition to providing strategic counsel to CBOs and FBOS, Morrison has been a grant-writer and reviewer but currently dedicates the majority of his time to serving as Senior Pastor of Revival Center Church a Non-denominational church currently serving the Chicago (Auburn Gresham) community. Pastor Dennis, as he is affectionately called, is a passionate teacher of the word of God, through illustrative preaching, and transparent personal sharing, the Word of God is grasped by members of Revival Center Church and applied with astounding results. His commitment to living and declaring the fullness of God's Word without compromise continues to transform lives.
He has managed companies in multiple industries including management and I.T., social service, medical, and telecommunications. He is the co-founder of the Family Centered Educational Agency Inc. a Non-profit with a 5-million dollar a year budget, serving over 1000 families by providing educational, mentoring, and financial aid services through federal grants. Other organizations served include Demoiselle2Femme, LTLTF, J.P. Morgan Chase Foundation, John S. & James L. Knight Foundation, Gary Community Health Foundation, Diversified Fuel Group (an Exxon Mobil Company), C.E.D.A., Salvation Army, Easter Seals-Chicago, Eastern Illinois University, Columbia College-Chicago, National Parent Teacher Association, (NADCP)National Association Of Drug Court Professionals.
Morrison's educational accomplishments include Bachelors and Master’s degrees in psychology, and he has nearly all of his coursework completed toward a doctoral degree in clinical psychology.
He and his college sweet heart Kim, recently celebrated 26 years of marriage and have 3 beautiful daughters Nyla, Kaia, and Hannah.
Lela has more than 8 years of project management and public relations experience. She spent several years managing projects related to multi-million-dollar litigation cases at a midsize law firm. She then went on to advance in multiple roles at Burrell Communications working on national communications efforts for the agency’s longest-serving client, McDonald’s. She led media as well as influencer and celebrity relations for all McDonald’s marketing events for the African-American consumer market including the Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour, BET Experience, and ESSENCE Festival. She was a vital part of the team that launched the brand’s first multicultural social media handle. Lela also served as Communications Director for the American Heart Association. In that role, she secured a diverse set of influencers in the health and wellness space for social media and onsite engagement at events including the Metro Chicago Heart Walk and the Black Women’s Expo in Chicago. Throughout her areer in communications, Lela has secured coverage for clients in local and national print and broadcast media outlets including Essence, People, E! News, Rolling Out, NBC 5 Chicago, Telemundo, Chicago iHeart Media radio stations and many more.
In addition to her experience with event planning, content creation and strategic planning for clients, Lela also utilizes her writing skills as a freelance contributor for several outlets. She has bylines in the Chicago RedEye, Vibe Magazine, Travel Noire, Patch Media and more.
Lela graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a BA in Political Science and also holds an MS in Integrated Marketing Communications from Roosevelt University. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
