Ritual vs routine: Developing habits that matter

Are you a habitual habit maker/breaker? Me too.

Condensed

Unexpected: Building creativity through small rebellions

Reveling in the unexpected should be your next #lifegoal and brand strategy.

Reveling in the unexpected should be your next #lifegoal and brand strategy. Here are 5 tips to become memorable shared by our Creative Director Jo Skillman at the Creative Circles Conference 2018.

The radical act of being your authentic self

How to start a movement | Derek Sivers

The importance of being a follower in today’s leader-obsessed society

I tend to be the person who doesn’t like being the center of attention.

Empowerment through education and bucking the damn system

Our collective brains are abuzz with back-to-school feels – but education is a daily obsession at Black Sheep.

Our collective brains are abuzz with back-to-school feels – but education is a daily obsession at Black Sheep. Read on for two book reports covering the promise of student-empowered learning and the impact of education on an unlikely Ph.D. candidate with a conflicting past.

Empower: What Happens When Students Own Their Learning

Reading Rainbow: Take a look. It’s now in a podcast.

Reading used to be a way to get ahead in class or learn a new thing or word.

Reading used to be a way to get ahead in class or learn a new thing or word. It was a way for me to escape, yes, but in a fun and adventurous way. Now, reading is more of an escape in a real way. My life is busy, the world around me is kind of a mess right now—I just want to forget about it sometimes.

The power of design process as told through a poster series

The Black Sheep team loves process as much as we love the written word and the visual art form.

The Black Sheep team loves process as much as we love the written word and the visual art form. By nature of the work we do, we love smashing words, visuals and heart together – mesmerized by how they intersect to create a powerful, lasting message.

How to interview like a late night talk show host

Barbara Walters, Stephen Colbert, David Letterman—we’re coming for you.

Barbara Walters, Stephen Colbert, David Letterman—we’re coming for you. Ever wonder how the pros make media interviews look so effortless?

Read on for a Top 10 Media Interview Tips List (you know, Letterman style) from a seasoned interview pro in his own right: Craig Cohen, host and executive producer of Houston Matters.

The hidden power of smiling | Ron Gutman

At Black Sheep, we talk a lot about rebellion and activism. We’re known to enjoy protesting, wheatpasting and the occasional theft of an inanimate animal.

Smile Like Your Life Depends On It

University of Texas at Austin 2014 Commencement Address - Admiral William H. McRaven

The first step to changing the world is making your bed.

Change the World by Changing Your Sheets

The first step to changing the world is making your bed. 

You’d never think that changing the world starts out with something as mundane as tidying up the bed before you start your day. We don’t realize our lives can undergo a drastic change through things that aren’t grand and bold. The little things matter too, y’know.

The Flying Busman - Mickey Mahan

How to Successfully “Fail” and Win at Life

What others consider failure, may be your biggest accomplishment.

We need to talk about an injustice | Bryan Stevenson

Talking About Injustice… and Other Topics

I recently revisited a book I received a long time ago called Talk Like Ted.

I recently revisited a book I received a long time ago called Talk Like Ted.

In it, they do case studies of some of the most successful Ted Talks. One of them was Bryan Stevenson’s “We Need To Talk About an Injustice.” It received the longest standing ovation for a Ted Talk at the time.

Mentor Me This: Natalie Dishes on the Perks of Being in the Loop

It was a sweltering August day when I, at the age of 21, drove from my small hometown in Louisiana to Houston to start my new life with my new husband.

It was a sweltering August day when I, at the age of 21, drove from my small hometown in Louisiana to Houston to start my new life with my new husband. He likes to joke that he never actually saw me driving my car because I’d followed him so closely that I wasn’t visible in the mirrors. I’d graduated that summer with my B.F.A. and was eager to begin my grown-up career in graphic design. Pedal to the metal, despite how intimidated I was heading in this new direction.

2 billion impressions is great, changing the future with college bound students is better

First impressions matter, right?  So what happens after 2 BILLION impressions?

First impressions matter, right?  So what happens after 2 BILLION impressions?  We found out with our Michelle Obama’s #CollegeSigningDay partnership this year.

Moving Forward | Uber

Facebook Here Together (UK)

That’s a Lot of Money to Say You’re Sorry

How to Build a Movement: The 4 Pillars of Community Activation

Movements change people.  Changed people change the world.

Building A Team That’s Out of This World

Everyone has a podcast these days. So finding one to binge-listen in the midst of a road trip can be hard. Lucky for me, I stumbled upon The Habitat.

Do something about gun violence and #WearOrange

So, here we are. Again. Reeling from more school shootings, questioning our priorities as a nation.

So, here we are. Again. Reeling from more school shootings, questioning our priorities as a nation. In our home state, we watch for real action against gun violence as Texas Governor Abbott apparently has a plan.

WTF is a GDPR?

You’ve probably received enough privacy notice emails that a flag has gone up, and you’ve started to do a bit of research. 

Why it's worth listening to people you disagree with | Zachary R. Wood

Understanding the “other side” through uncomfortable learning

Our country is torn.
Two sides, a great divide – with no solution in sight.
But what if the solution was easy?
What if we just talked to each other?

At Black Sheep, we know storytelling isn’t just about awareness. It’s about disruption, transformation and cultural change. That’s why we loved our Account Director Shauna Garriques’ LinkedIn article, Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Performance Was More Than Music—It Was a Masterclass in Impact Storytelling where she unpacks how Lamar turned the world’s biggest stage into a powerful commentary on racial injustice. His use of symbolism, risk and raw emotion sparked conversations far beyond the 13-minute performance.

We won’t rehash her insights here—and encourage you to read the full article—but we do want to build on them. Because what Kendrick Lamar did wasn’t just an example of impact storytelling. It was a lesson in narrative power—who gets to tell stories, how those stories shape public consciousness and why discomfort is often a sign you’re doing it right.


Owning the Narrative vs. Being Part of the Narrative

For decades, the Super Bowl halftime show has been about spectacle. Big names, bright lights and choreography built for mass appeal. But Kendrick Lamar didn’t just step into that tradition; he bent it to serve a deeper message.

That’s a crucial lesson for social impact leaders. Are you shaping your own story, or are you adjusting it to fit someone else’s expectations? Too often, organizations working in justice spaces are asked to soften their message for broader appeal. 

You write in order to change the world… if you alter, even by a millimeter, the way people look at reality, then you can change it. - James Baldwin

Real impact happens when stories are told with honesty and audacity, not when they’re polished into something more digestible.


Symbolism Isn’t Just an Aesthetic Choice—It’s a Strategy

One of the most striking aspects of Lamar’s performance was his use of visual storytelling. The prison yard set. The red, white and blue draped over Black bodies. The synchronized marching. The video game references. None of it was accidental. Every detail was designed to deepen the emotional impact of his message.

We believe the same is true for social movement storytelling. Symbolism isn’t decoration—it’s a strategic tool. The picture-superiority effect suggests that a well-placed visual cue is far more likely to be remembered than words alone. When we work with social impact organizations fighting challenging battles for issues like reproductive rights, labor justice and trans visibility, we ask: What do people need to feel before they understand what you’re saying? Because facts inform, but emotion moves people to action.

Perhaps the most important takeaway from Lamar’s performance is that discomfort is not the enemy—it’s the point. Social impact work should challenge assumptions, shift perspectives and push audiences to engage with hard truths.

As Shauna said, “Bold storytelling sparks dialogue, and dialogue is where change begins.”  Kendrick’s performance didn’t just make people watch—it made them feel. And for movements that challenge power, creating that kind of discomfort is often the first step toward a cultural shift.

Emotional resonance isn’t just a storytelling tool—it’s what makes messages stick. Research shows that people are far more likely to remember a message when it triggers an emotional response—especially when it highlights injustice. This reinforces a truth that every major movement for change has understood: growth comes from friction. Progress doesn’t happen passively. It requires people to engage with discomfort, challenge the status quo and push conversations forward, even when the path isn’t easy.

If you’re interested in active, powerful storytelling that sparks real impact and are ready to challenge the status quo with your own message, let’s talk. As Kendrick showed us—culture shifts when voices refuse to be silenced.

Kendrick Lamar Didn’t Just Perform—He Provoked. Here’s What We Can Learn About Narrative Power and Cultural Change.

The Power of Disruptive Storytelling

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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

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