Shana Knight Joins Team OED

The Frederick County Office Economic Development (OED) is pleased to announce the addition of Shana Knight as Senior Business Development Manager - Diversity & Inclusion, Service Industry. This position will lead OED’s Diversity and Inclusion program and will be the primary point of contact for underrepresented businesses needing expansion, location and other economic development services. This position will also develop and execute a business retention strategy to support, retain and grow underrepresented businesses and the Service industry.

Shana Knight has lived in Frederick County most of her life. After graduating from Frostburg State University, Shana came back to the Frederick community and spent seven years in the nonprofit sector. During this time, Shana worked for United Way of Frederick County as the Community Engagement Manager, and most recently for the Boys & Girls Club of Frederick County as the Director of Development. Serving the Frederick community has been a long-time passion for Shana.

In 2020 after the tragic death of George Floyd, Shana was inspired to co-found SOUL Street. SOUL Street is a local collective of Black business owners and community members in Frederick who have come together to empower the Black Business community through events, outreach, advocacy and education. While SOUL Street serves a specific community, Shana is extremely passionate about being a resource to all underrepresented businesses who face similar struggles, and finding innovative solutions to help these businesses connect with opportunities and tools to be sustainable and thrive.

A fun fact about Shana: she REALLY loves to volunteer. She has gone on multiple trips to help rebuild homes after Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy. One of these trips was through MTV, and Shana was selected to be shown on television working to rebuild a home next to celebrities!

In her new role with the Office of Economic Development, Shana will manage and further develop the Frederick County OED Diversity & Inclusion strategy, including EmPOWER programs and events. For more information on the Frederick County Office of Economic Development’s EmPOWER Diversity & Inclusion program, please visit https://www.discoverfrederickmd.com/empower.

Shana can be reached by phone at 301-600-2137 or by email at SKnight@FrederickCountyMD.gov.