Emari Knowles

Program: Innovation Fellowship 2026
Role: Database Management Administrator
Duration: 12 Weeks
Tools: PostgreSQL, Metabase, SQL, Contabo/mremoteNG, DBeaver, Python

Project Summary

During a 12-week fellowship with Evolution Arts and Djoli Kelen, I helped build their data infrastructure using PostgreSQL databases, an automated ETL pipeline, and reporting views for different teams. I also set up live dashboards for their Fulton County grant compliance reporting.

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The Problem

Before this system existed, Djoli Kelen had no database. Evolution Arts had data spread across spreadsheets on two different servers, with no way to sort or view it in one place other than excel sheets. Getting reports, including the ones required for Fulton County grant compliance, meant manually pulling and compiling data by hand into the database. Non-leadership staff had no way to view and understand the database.

My Contributions to the Fellowship

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Database Architecture & Management

Served as Database Management Administrator for the full 12-week engagement
Architected and deployed three production PostgreSQL databases, designing a combined schema of approximately 20-30 tables
Designed and iteratively updated the database schema as reporting needs evolved
Led the expansion of the database to support new data sources

Data Integration, Automation & Reporting

Built a Python-based ETL pipeline to automate data transfers, including a nightly job (2:00 AM run) pulling WooCommerce order data into the production server
Established API connections through Python to automate recurring data transfers, including MarTech tools (Mailchimp) and the WooCommerce store
Implemented secured database views so non-leadership staff could safely access relevant data without exposure to sensitive or raw tables
Built self-service reporting dashboards using Metabase

Cloud & Server Administration

Handled cloud administration responsibilities, including scheduled cron jobs and the creation of database backup scripts
Managed remote server administration and database connections using Contabo, mRemoteNG, and DBeaver
Designed and built the portfolio website documenting this work

Technical Architecture

Data Flow

Data comes in from two places: WooCommerce for order data and Mailchimp for marketing data. A Python script pulls that data automatically every night at 2 am using API connections, so nobody has to do it by hand.
Once it’s pulled, it gets stored in PostgreSQL. I built three separate databases for this, split across roughly 20 to 30 tables total, all hosted on a Contabo server.
From there, I created views so staff without leadership access could see the data safely, without touching the raw tables underneath. Metabase reads from those views to build the dashboards people actually use, including the reports required for Fulton County’s grant compliance.
Behind all of this, cron jobs keep the nightly pulls running on schedule, and backup scripts protect the databases in case anything goes wrong. I managed the servers remotely through mRemoteNG and did the schema and query work in DBeaver.

Key Technical Decisions

PostgreSQL was the right choice because it’s open-source, handles relational data reliably, and holds up well as reporting needs grow.
Python handled automation because it schedules jobs consistently, works well with APIs, and doesn’t require much upkeep once it’s running.
Metabase gave non-technical staff a way to pull their own reports, without needing someone else to run them. It works a lot like Power BI or Tableau.
Database views handled access control. Non-leadership staff could look at the data they needed without getting into raw production tables.

Data Governance & Access Control

I built role-based views so leadership and general staff each had access to only what they needed. Sensitive data like financial records, donor information, and grant details stayed out of reach for non-leadership users. This also supported accurate, on-time reporting for Fulton County grant compliance.

Viusal Portfolio Showcase

Metabase – Evolution Ars Performance Report

Metabase Example Query Table & Visualization

Metabase - Evolution Arts Performance Dashboard

Mailchimp Sync from MremoteNG Successful show in Dbeaver as confirmation

WooCommerce Sync Script Successful shown in mremoteNG

Creation of Grant and Grant Reporting

Created for all Three Databases in DBeaver: FEA, EA, & Djoli Kelen

Evolution Arts Server Database Schema

Schemas were made for all databases working under this Fellowship: FEA,EA, & Djoli Kelen

Reflections & Lessons Learned

As I completed assignments and progressed through the fellowship, I was constantly pushed to research more and find additional references to fix problems in the database, whether that meant finding server workarounds to avoid needing extra one-on-one help or just debugging the problem on my own. That made me think faster when solving problems and taught me different ways to work through issues.

Managing remote access to the servers took some getting used to as well. Learning mRemoteNG and its different systems, whether that meant syncing data or creating scripts to help maintain the company’s growing database, meant I had to build reliable processes from the start so they’d hold up as a real asset down the line. That pushed me to work even harder as I learned what the job actually required.

The training Ms. Davidson led during the fellowship changed how I approached a lot of this. It wasn’t just about learning the tools; it was about learning how to actually apply them inside a real company, with real constraints and real people depending on the system working correctly.

By the end of the fellowship, I came out knowing how to build a database from scratch, automate data transfers with Python and APIs, manage cloud infrastructure with cron jobs and backups, and set up access controls so people who needed the data could use it safely. My team and I were given administrative duties to take over and effect real change within these companies, which came with a lot of responsibility. From what I’ve shared about the Innovation Fellowship, I hope this gives a clear picture of everything we have accomplished and shows the real impact of what My Evolution Arts is having.

Professional Background

I’m a Computer Science graduate from Thee Unsinkable Albany State University with a focus in Information Assurance. I’ve been working as a Database & Server Management Administrator at Evolution Arts Incorporated during this Innovation Fellowship.

My previous work experience includes serving as a Systems Engineering Team Lead for a Regenerative Fuel Cell System at NASA Glenn Research Center, an Academic Support and Residential Assistant at Albany State University, and a Data Management Assistant with Assist M.E.

GEAR UP: It’s A Different | Albany State University | Summer 2025
Mentor/Facilitator