Malaika is a Marketing and Business Strategist with core competencies in marketing, strategic planning, digital marketing, event logistics, class facilitation and public speaking. 

Prior to launching SocialStep, Malaika received her Marketing Degree from Hampton University. She launched her professional career in Credit Card Marketing at Chase Manhattan Bank and Small Business Marketing at American Express in New York. A New Orleans native, Malaika took a break from running SOCIALSTEP in 2005 to assist her family after hurricane Katrina. Her professional path then led her to develop and execute all online and digital marketing strategies for The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, develop and launch the new Latitudes Cruise Loyalty Program for Norwegian Cruise Line; and manage Business Development for Entertainment Benefits Group.

In recent years, with her consulting firm SocialStep Marketing and Consulting, she’s provided marketing strategy and business development services for the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the New Orleans Business Alliance and an array of small and mid-sized businesses. She also teaches Strategic Business Planning and Entrepreneurship for the Urban League’s Women’s Business Resource Center.