BLACK HISTORY MONTH: WHERE OUR PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE COLLIDE

American history is Black history. This February, we're celebrating how our nation's past—and future—is tied to the Black experience.

Welcome to the first day of February and the first day of Black History Month in 2021. 

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Last week (read: for the last two months), all eyes were on Georgia as they decided who controlled the senate for the first two years of President Elect Joe Biden’s administration. Georgia has been a red state since 1992, so its sudden flip to blue came as a shock to many. 

An Ode to Grassroots Organizers

The key to a free and fair democratic system is making sure that everyone can vote.

Giving Tuesday has raised a lot of eyebrows at Black Sheep over the years. But nonprofits are in dire straits across the country—and it's time to think through how we can give back when we're tapped out from 2020.

#GivingTuesday2020

We were over it. Now it's all we can think about.

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A government official outreach guide for student activsts

How do I contact elected officials?

A student activist’s guide to making connections that create social change.

If you are feeling overwhelmed right now, you are not alone. Let this year's World Mental Health Day be both a celebration of those invisible milestones and a reminder that help is out there and there is no shame in seeking it out.

Have You Considered Therapy?

There’s a meme circulating that says something along the lines of: When I tell you to go to therapy, I don’t mean that I think you’re crazy. I mean that I think you deserve someone to listen to you, without judgment, and help you process your feelings.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg paved the way for women across the country to become architects of their own success—and encouraged us all to never give up on a good fight.

Here's to a Heroic Fight

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a hero of ours at Black Sheep, for obvious reasons. Without her work, quite frankly, who knows if Black Sheep would exist. 

Community activists of all types have used the symbol of the raised fist in many ways, but what does it mean

A Brief History of the Raised Fist

The clenched, raised fist. You’ve seen it before—on television and in movies, on posters, in textbooks, maybe even in-person at a rally. As a gesture itself, it holds no meaning. But, throughout history, a variety of communities have used it as a symbol of resistance and unity: a simple yet demonstrative act of rebellion against institutional oppression.

Stay informed. Don't be silent. Take action. #BlackLivesMatter

Let's talk—seriously.

Gun Violence Awareness Day: We (Still) Need to Talk OR You Need To Read This

Just as we’ve seen with COVID-19 death rates and instances of police brutality, gun violence disproportionately impacts the black community.

Why Gun Violence Awareness Day Matters In the Profound Year That Is 2020

This is the time of COVID-19 and increasing racial tension—and the connection between guns and public health is more tightly bound than ever.

Black and Tired.

If There’s A Will, There’s A Chance

How deeply entrenched social norms can mean silence for women.

Adjusting for the Unjust

Improving voter access with community engagement and the Harris County Clerk's Office

Vote Your Way campaign

Harris County wants you to Vote Your Way and so do we.

Being black and loving your natural hair.

Our Crown and Glory

A Digital Treatise on #NeverEverEverEndingGivingTuesday

This technology affects humans, what to know in 2020

Tech updates like “Meat Made Out of Air”, “DNA Warrants” and Other Things

Meat Made Out of Air, DNA Warrants and Other Things 

Why are we changing maps?  (from The West Wing)

Last weekend, under a threat from ICE officials of upcoming raids, I gathered with hundreds of other activists to protest the following: immigration detention facilities, separation of families at the border, treatment of asylum seekers at the border, unsafe and inhumane conditions at the facilities at the border and the aforementioned ICE raids.

The World Wasn’t Made with Borders.

40,000 People Need Us To Think Differently About Gun Violence

Gun violence. “We need to turn this over to science and take it away from politics.”

B-Corp Declaration of Interdependence As Told by a Few Rebellious Black Sheep

90,000. A number we’re a bit obsessed with that represents how many hours, on average, people spend at work in their lifetime.

It’s not easy to ask the hard questions. Especially when it comes to the way we speak.

What’s in a Tribe?

It’s not easy to ask the hard questions. Especially when it comes to the way we speak. 

The world is loud with urgency, and it’s easy to feel stretched thin by everything demanding our attention. We get it. That’s why we’re channeling our energy, creativity and care into a focused set of Social Impact Areas—issues that move us and guide the work we do every day.

These are the issues that stir us up and move us forward—areas where we’re choosing to go deeper instead of trying to do it all at once. They give shape to our research, creative work and client collaborations, helping us stay grounded in what matters most.

For 2025, we’re digging in on three core impact area themes: 

We believe joy is fuel for change. It connects us, uplifts us and reminds us what we’re fighting for. From LGBTQ+ rights to building more inclusive workplaces, we’re elevating the moments that make us feel seen, celebrated and free.

Everyone deserves to feel safe. But right now, too many people don’t. We’re examining the systems that shape that reality—from reproductive rights to housing, climate, and community violence—and working toward a world where peace, dignity, and protection are the norm.

Young people aren’t just the future—they’re leading right now. We’re showing up to support their vision, amplify their voices and make sure the next generation has the tools, mental health support and community power to dream big and drive change.

These themes aren’t limits—they’re launchpads. Inside each one lives a network of vital, interconnected issues: from LGBTQ+ rights and work culture to gun safety, reproductive healthcare, mental health and climate justice. We’ll be writing, building, reflecting and co-creating throughout the year, and we’d love to have you in the mix.

Want to follow along, get inspired or share your work with us? Sign up for updates here.

Progress takes all of us. By learning, building and taking action together, we can push for a future that’s more just, joyful and secure.

So much needs fixing. Where do we even start?

Finding Focus in a Noisy World: Our Social Impact Areas

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How do you stay focused when everything feels urgent? We’re grounding our work in three Social Impact Areas to explore the issues that matter most and move with more purpose in 2025.

The Black Sheep blog is turning up the volume on community engagement, social media strategy, Houston happenings and what it means to lead a purpose-driven life.

The Black Sheep Agency | Social impact and nonprofit blog

We like to type as much as we like to listen.

We're not shy.