It seems like just yesterday the flock was wheels up and on our way to the White House.

One Year Down. #BetterMakeRoom For More.

It seems like just yesterday the flock was wheels up and on our way to the White House. We, an 11-person, Houston-based creative agency, joined Team USA to ignite change in the future of education in America, working side by side with Michelle Obama. It is just as surreal today as it was a year ago.

Condensed

Creatures of HABIT: A Black Sheep Experiment (Part II)

This blog post is a part of a series—an experiment of sorts. You see, I’m reading a book about forming better habits, and I invited the entire agency to participate.

This blog post is a part of aseries—an experiment of sorts. You see, I’m reading a book about forming better habits, and I invited the entire agency to participate. I also invited YOU to play along—and it’s not too late. It’s never too late.This is the second post of the series. Read the first one here.

Must Be Present

To Meditate: verb. Think deeply or focus one’s mind for a period of time, in silence or with an aid, for religious or spiritual purposes or as a method of relaxation.

Never Backward, Always Forward: A Case Against Complacency

Spoilers ahead for Luke Cage: In a traditional creating-a-superhero story, Luke Cage’s evolution into Harlem’s protector is both predictable and needed—a man, with a brutal past and horrific testimony, sees his loved ones tragically taken from him.

Spoilers ahead for Luke Cage:In a traditional creating-a-superhero story, Luke Cage’s evolution into Harlem’s protector is both predictable and needed—a man, with a brutal past and horrific testimony, sees his loved ones tragically taken from him. Most notably was Pop, a father-figure and mentor to Power Man (and every other young man that walked into his barber shop), whose motto resonated every time he spoke to Luke: “Never backward, always forward. Always.”

After last night’s Presidential debate, I went to bed feeling like I was out of options.

100 Reasons To Vote

After last night’s Presidential debate, I went to bed feeling like I was out of options. Whether you lean left or right, the 2016 campaign approach from both candidates has, sadly, divided our nation into two Americas. Which, frankly, seems to be the root of several major issues that will significantly impact how we live our lives today and how future generations will live in tomorrow’s America.

Y’all, Houston has placed NUMBER ONE in charity rankingsin the nation.

#52Causes: Houston’s On The Come Up

Y’all, Houston has placed NUMBER ONE incharity rankingsin the nation. With a city that’s relentless when it comes to getting shit done, Houston has firmly made a name for itself throughout the nation when it comes to charitable work.

Starring David Berman and writers…everywhere.

We spend a lot of time thinking about words and reviewing words making sure we aren’t killing the meaning or point we are crafting.

We spend a lot of time thinking about words and reviewing words making sure we aren’t killing the meaning or point we are crafting. We debate punctuation and whether it’s “non-profit” or “nonprofit”. BTW, it’s nonprofit.

Register to Vote Faster Than Leslie Knope

Voting is insanely important and yes—every vote definitely counts.

Voting is insanely important and yes—every vote definitely counts. But before you vote, you have to be registered. Today isNational Voter Registration Day and we are #blessed to be living in a world where we are always connected and where getting things done is easier than ever.

Creatures of HABIT: A Black Sheep Experiment (Part I)

“We’re not perfect—but we’re constantly perfecting.”  This is something you’ll hear us say around the Black Sheep office time and again, week after week.

“We’re not perfect—but we’re constantly perfecting.”  This is something you’ll hear us say around the Black Sheep office time and again, week after week. It’s a mantra of sorts—and at times it can even feel like a bit of a commitment we’re renewing. It’s a nod to the fact that we can always be better…that we can acknowledge the space for improvement, push ourselves harder and find ways to work smarter for ourselves, for each other and for our clients.

To be incredibly too predictable, I, the recovering community outreach officer turned brand manager, can’t help but bring us back to the importance of community—of creating a space to bring people together, in real life, for one-on-one conversations.

The Importance of IRL

“WOKE UP AND FELT THE VIBE.” —Kanye West

Black Sheep Quarterly Jams List

I hate to talk about this because I feel like it’s all I can talk about these days, but my husband and I are expecting our first child in October.

The Art of Appreciation

I hate to talk about this because I feel like it’s all I can talk about these days, but my husband and I are expecting our first child in October. As we’ve geared up to take on a new stage in our lives, we’ve been surrounded by enormous support and help. Help that might not always get the proper “thank you” it deserves. 

Learn To Ad: Madison Avenue Strategies To Strengthen School Communication

If you’ve ever had your eyeballs attacked or your fingers befuddled by a poorly designed app or website, you’ve probably had a moment of Poor Design Experience, or PDE.*

If you’ve ever had your eyeballs attacked or your fingers befuddled by a poorly designed app or website, you’ve probably had a moment of Poor Design Experience, or PDE.* As painful as these experiences are, you probably feel as though they’re not really hurting you—and you’re probably right. But, in the case of communications between schools and students, PDEs can make a lot of difference when it comes to important things, like understanding the college application process or becoming informed of educational options at different high schools. Black Sheep’s art director Jo Skillman has teamed up with University of Virginia educator and researcher Ben Castlemanto write about the importance of solid communications for educational organizations in an article published by the Brookings Institution. In true Black Sheep style, we’ve managed to pun the title.

GIF US YOUR BEST SHOT: A Challenge To Be The Next Black Sheep

So, you think you want to be a Black Sheep? Well, we can’t say that we blame you.

So, you think you want to be a Black Sheep? Well, we can’t say that we blame you. This is a pretty great place to work. We work hard, we play hard and we’ve built a culture that’s like no other you’ll find.

According to a 2016 report by Nonprofit HR, nonprofits of all sizes are expected to GROW—in people, purpose and impact this year, to help combat the rising demand in Houston for their services.

#52Causes: Thrive At Week 35

According to a 2016 report by Nonprofit HR, nonprofits of all sizes are expected to GROW—in people, purpose and impact this year, to help combat the rising demand in Houston for their services. Over half of nonprofits nationwide plan on creating new positions to help support the thousands of driven employees already working to make Houston a better place by dedicating their time and careers to the communities and people in this city.

Built on mud and created from gumption, heart and a can-do spirit, Houston was born 180 years ago TODAY.

Happy Birthday to HOU: H-Town Turns 180!

Built on mud and created from gumption, heart and a can-do spirit, Houston was born 180 years ago TODAY. (Not that it looks a day over 179…) Think about that: one hundred and eighty years. It seems like such a long, long time, but actually it’s a pretty short interval when you think about what we’ve accomplished as a city. 

Our National Park Service has a birthday today, and it’s a BIG ONE.

NPS: You Make 100 Look Good!

Our National Park Service has a birthday today, and it’s a BIG ONE. 

Reality television, sports and anything that can be classified as “pop-culture” is lost on me. I don’t know what a Drake is and I haven’t seen a movie in a theatre in almost a year.

Do You Even Know Who You Are?

Vengeance. Money. Love. These are all words we’re saying so you read this blog about economics.

A couple years ago I read my first enjoyable non-fiction book.

A couple years ago I read my first enjoyable non-fiction book. I know there’s a lot of enjoyable non-fiction out there, but REALLY… the magic of Hogwarts has resulted in an entire theme park, whereas the history of Hispanics in the Mormon Zion* has resulted in, well, my falling asleep on a hot pink highlighter.

Pounding the tarmac through the seasons, a band of runners are brazenly challenged with intimate questions as they pace their routes. Liberated from responsibilities, their guards drop dramatically, releasing funny and brutally frank confessions, and weaving a powerful narrative behind the anonymous masses.

A film by Matan Rochlitz & Ivo Gormley.

#therunners

**OFFICIAL SELECTION - SHEFFIELD DOC/FEST 2013**
** HONOURABLE MENTION - LONDON SHORT FILM FESTIVAL 2014**
**OFFICIAL SELECTION - OPEN CITY DOCS, LONDON 2013**
**OFFICIAL SELECTION - NEW ORLEANS FILM FESTIVAL 2013**
**OFFICIAL SELECTION - KAOHSIUNG FILM FESTIVAL, TAIWAN 2013**

The Runners on The Guardian: 
theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/the-running-blog/2013/nov/15/the-runners-film-interviewing-people-jogging

The Runners

At Black Sheep, we love ideas: New ideas. Bold ideas. Crazy ideas. Audacious ideas.

Why Are You Running Today?

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

Regular

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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