How I Survived 30 Days of Biking in Houston

There are bike-friendly cities and then there’s… Houston.  When I tell people that I participated in #30DaysofBiking, I’m met with blank stares and more than a few questions.

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A note from a Zennial: Breaking generation stereotypes with activism

You know the phrase ‘being stuck between a rock and a hard place’? As a so-called “Zennial,” that’s where my generation lives.

You know the phrase ‘being stuck between a rock and a hard place’? As a so-called “Zennial,” that’s where my generation lives. It’s uncomfortable, it’s awkward – but here we are. Ready to change the world.

A Digital Podcast for a Better Human Experience

As Black Sheep’s Digital Strategist, I am constantly immersed in the digital landscape.

As Black Sheep’s Digital Strategist, I am constantly immersed in the digital landscape. While I don’t want to throw my phone across the room as soon as I get home, I do appreciate some perspective.

fallen in love

Keep the blue side up: A moment of glider plane Zen

What have you rocked out in life that started with the thought: if they can do it, why not me?

Voguing with Kia LaBeija | Iris

A True Movement: Kia LaBeija and Human Storytelling

In our office, we often talk about how to represent our clients through more than just their work.

In our office, we often talk about how to represent our clients through more than just their work. We do that by telling a human story. I think that human story comes from knowing the humans within their work and organization, which is a large part of our discovery process.

Creative Musings from a Confused Left-Brainer

My mom likes to tell this story about a pivotal moment in my life that occurred in a guidance counselor’s office.

My mom likes to tell this story about a pivotal moment in my life that occurred in a guidance counselor’s office. It was my junior year of high school and the counselor called me in to fix what she assumed was a mistake on my schedule for the upcoming semester. The egregious error?  5th period life drawing class.

As a kid growing up in rural Northern California, our house was a bit of an animal farm.

Fostering Impulse

As a kid growing up in rural Northern California, our house was a bit of an animal farm. We had sixteen acres of land and our pets included a cat, a dog, a rabbit, a snake, a hamster, guinea pig, pond of goldfish, a turtle and a rat named Clicker Starman. I grew up loving animals and they were the means to my allowance.

Guillermo del Toro Presents: The Shape of Dissonance

I love Guillermo del Toro. His Oscar acceptance speech only made me love him that much more.

“Because I think that the greatest thing our art does and our industry does is to erase the lines in the sand. We should continue doing that when the world tells us to make them deeper.”

Escape from 2017: Thoughts on Optimism and Despair

From what I can tell, the theme for the start of 2018 is “thankfully we made it through 2017.”

In the last several decades, Boys and Girls Harbor has done amazing work.

Popping the Cork on a New Brand

In the last several decades, Boys and Girls Harbor has done amazing work. For 70 years they have been steadfast in caring for our region’s abused and neglected children.

Baby, You’re a Firework: A Personalized Story About Austim

I remember being embarrassed asking my friends to watch this Katy Perry performance at Night of Too Many Stars, because typically celebrity-heavy primetime charity concerts are chock full of Grade-A cheese.

I remember being embarrassed asking my friends to watch this Katy Perry performance atNight of Too Many Stars, because typically celebrity-heavy primetime charity concerts are chock full of Grade-A cheese.

Stephanie Wittels Wachs : Anxiety

Tiffany Pratt: Designer + Stylist

CreativeMornings x WordPress.com

Beatriz Craven: Compassion

We’re not morning people, but we’re Creative Mornings people.

Our Favorite Mornings Are Creative

We’re not morning people, but we’re Creative Mornings people.(See what we did there? *Swish*) Since the inspirational creative coffee klatch launched in 2014—with our fearless leader speaking about Kid Cudi, the pursuit of happiness and having the courage to say“No”—we’ve been hooked on the community connecting, brain-rebooting whiz-bang that this event brings(not to mention the plentiful Greenway Coffee). 

The Art of Overcoming Fear, With Artist Katy Holton

Have you ever been frozen with fear? Felt like the stakes were too high?

Have you ever been frozen with fear? Felt like the stakes were too high? That there were too many obstacles in your path? Too many dragons to slay? That you’re stuck on the wrong side of a ravine, yet everything you’ve ever wanted was just on the other side? So has Katy Holton, a Houston-based artist from Austin’s design studio DesignGood. Katy took on our Blank Slate chalk wall this week to encourage the Flock to overcome fear through a dazzlingly bright explosion of colors. 

The happy secret to better work | Shawn Achor

Attitude of Gratitude: A Blueprint for Success + Happiness

I had a lot to be grateful for in 2017: Health, relationships, a beautiful baby boy, a comfortable home and a thriving business.

“The absence of disease is not health. Here’s how we get to health: We need to reverse the formula for happiness and success.”—Shawn Achor, TEDxBloomington

Kendrick Lamar, U2, Dave Chappelle - Performance (LIVE From The 60th GRAMMYs ®)

I’m not 100% sure who the intended audiences for award shows are, but I’m almost certain they aren’t males between 35 and 45.

DAMN Right.

Figuring your life out is difficult in your 20s.

Life advice? Yes, Please.

Figuring your life out is difficult in your 20s. Especially if the whole world is telling you that everything has to be decided and you need to be successful by the time you turn 30. It’s a lot of stress for one person to handle and that fear can keep you from making any decisions at all out of fear of getting it wrong. At this time in life, you don’t need judgment, you need advice.

The best damn reading list you’re going to find if you’re looking for something to fill your soul in 2018.

2018: Booked Solid

2013 Conference Opening Video: It Starts With a Woman

One is not the loneliest #: Voluntarism + The Junior League

No man is an island, but it only takes one man or WO(man)to start a movement.

Regular

Cha Cha Cha is Black Sheep’s community gathering that brings together nonprofits and people looking to get involved in the community.

Cha Cha Cha

Make Stress Your Friend: It’s the Only Choice We’ve Got

It’s been a stressful year for people everywhere, to say the least. For Houstonians, when Hurricane Harvey hit, our lives didn’t stop.

It’s been a stressful year for people everywhere, to say the least. For Houstonians, when Hurricane Harvey hit, our lives didn’t stop. What are normally the mundane, everyday scenarios we find ourselves in are now just extra on top of whatever we’re dealing with in the aftermath.

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

Semi-Condensed

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

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