A 90s therapy starter pack for those who lived through it and for those who have no idea what I’m talking about.

As If, Melancholy!

A throwback therapy session for these way harsh times. 

Regular

Privacy Concerns Fuel Executive Order, But the Real Threat Isn’t TikTok

What's really at play concerning the TikTok executive order.

This year has felt like a dumpster fire. Maybe even the whole landfill.

Creativity and What It Isn't

We all know that data is important, but it’s so interesting how tricky it can be when it’s being used to uncover or decide our truths and making our daily decisions. And this is a phenomenon that is far from new.

Data, deaths and dresses

I’ve been thinking a lot about data and how it tells stories about the human existence recently. 

Practice your bread making, continue to support our local restaurants and bars and check in with local food system support to combat local food insecurities. 

Breaking Bread

Bread making was all the rage in mid-March. 

Where Byte Missed the Boat and What That Says About the Future of Social

An Elegy.

For years, concern has been growing over facial recognition software and its use by police, but can we talk about why the solution they chose is to take away the tool and not to fix it?

At the End of the Data

This local opera singer is bringing us fearlessness and good vibes in her playlist with purpose.

Playlists with Purpose: Alicia Gianni

Bill and Jo discuss inclusivity, diversity and the importance of civic action while taking a look at the League of Women Voters of Houston brand.

Offset Path: The League of Women Voters of Houston

“Offset path” is a function in design program Adobe Illustrator. It’s also the name of our design discussion series that looks at how Black Sheep rebellious brands and campaigns for social impact that are different from, well, the usual “path.” To know when Offset Path episodes are announced or to watch us live on Instagram, follow @shearcreativity. Hosts are Black Sheep’s Creative Director Jo Skillman and Senior Designer/Illustrator Bill Ferenc.

This Houston rockstar took us on his journey through finding the power of composition and making an impact in his community through music.

Playlists with Purpose: Nick Gaitan

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.

Condensed

Michelle Obama's 2020 Commencement Address

A personal reflection on the work that needs to be done.

Revolution

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.

Our beginners guide to streaming communication in 2020

Getting Started with Webinars

Getting Started with Webinars (Part Two)

Purpose, sincerity and truth with Houston's very own jazz vocalist.

Playlists with Purpose: Tianna Hall

Putting One Foot in Front of the Other During a Pandemic

How one Black Sheep is embracing discomfort

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

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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