2022 Reflections and my Top 10 Communications Resources
I hope you and your loved ones have been taking care and finding ways to nourish yourselves, whether literally or figuratively. A simple pleasure I found this year was biking to the farmer’s market with my toddler in tow, eating farm-fresh fruit, and generally enjoying the California sunshine.
It’s hard for me to believe that it's almost the end of the year, and that just over a year ago I decided to venture out and start my own communications consulting business. When I was considering the idea, I didn’t know what to expect, but one thing was crystal clear: There was so much I wanted to do, but I wanted to do it in ways that allowed me to take care of my family’s ballooning needs. And you know, I think I kind of did it — with the support of so many of you! My heartfelt and endless gratitude to many of you for your trust, encouragement, guidance, and advice.
This year, in the midst of major life changes, I had the immense honor of supporting clients to advance:
🔥 immigrants rights
🔥 reproductive rights
🔥 economic justice
🔥 equity in schools and state government
🔥 environmental protections
🔥 support for youth facing systemic inequities
From stepping in to manage a comms team, developing digital strategy, writing impactful stories, securing media coverage, to leading workshops, I got the chance to flex my inner communications chameleon.
Entering 2023, I am excited to bring my experiences to support organizations that may need extra or interim communications help. Whether it’s jumping in to keep things going as you manage staff transitions, helping your team build up the skills and infrastructure needed to run smoothly, or create big-picture communications strategic plans, I would love to co-create something powerful with you! My calendar is filling up for the first half of 2023, so feel free to use my calendly and let's find time to talk about your hopes + needs.
Introducing my toddler to LA's warm beaches this summer.
As I take the remaining weeks of the year to wind down, I want to share my top 10 communications tools, resources, and writings from this year that you may find useful as well. (2022 has given us an abundance of resources and thinking around justice-centered communications - what were your favorites? Please share them with me!)
Liberate Abortion Resource Hub (toolkit) // Everyone knows someone who had an abortion. Everyone also deserves accurate, stigma-free understanding of abortion! This resource hub is great for communicators, legislators, and individuals looking for guidance on how to talk about abortion in a pro-abortion, values-driven way.
Broke (research & toolkit) // In our fight for economic justice, harmful narratives around poverty and wealth inequality persist within the progressive, well-meaning philanthropic and nonprofit spaces. Narrative researchers for the Broke project examined these stories, synthesizing lessons learned from the research and offering a set of recommendations grounded in the science of storytelling.
How Much Press Are You Worth? (interactive site) // In the age of Gabby Petito's story juxtaposed with the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women campaign, Columbia Journalism Review mixed reporting data and storytelling, offering a wildly informative and grim peek into just how many stories your disappearance would generate, based on your demographic information. A missing White woman in her early 20s would usually be covered in over 120 news stories, whereas I’d be worth 10 news stories. Ouch.
Race Forward Butterfly Lab for Immigrant Narrative Strategy (webinar & toolkit) // In an age where anti-immigrant forces control the dominant narratives around immigration, what does it look like to build power for effective narratives that honor the humanity of migrants, refugees, and immigrants, and advance freedom and justice for all? Race Forward’s Butterfly Lab researches this question and comes out with some important lessons learned, as well as incredibly helpful narrative worksheets you can use for your own messaging.
Words to Win By (podcast) // When used effectively, words have the ability to shift power. Anat Shenker-Osorio treks the globe to dissect real-world narrative shifts that led to real-world victories. Clear, values-driven narratives work, and this podcast walks you through how it happens!
Meet the Gen Z'ers Behind the Kenneth Mejia for City Controller Campaign (article) // Since moving back to my hometown in Los Angeles during peak election season, I have been obsessed with one particular political campaign: Kenneth Mejia for City Controller. Between billboards illustrating LAPD’s excessive budget, quippy social media presence, and a Pikachu suit for tabling, this campaign was incisive and most of all, FUN. Read the article to hear from the people behind this successful campaign, why it resonated with so many, and what communicators can learn from them.
Climate of Possibility (toolkit) // Not all hope is lost when it comes to climate change - something even I need to continually remind myself as I reckon with my personal climate anxiety. This resource is a simple guide to talking about climate change in ways that move people, rather than paralyze them in fear.
Hemingway App (tool) // There are the fundamentals of writing and storytelling that you just can’t skimp on, and that includes writing clearly and accessibly. Whenever I’m in doubt, I plug my written text into this free site to see how readable it is, and most importantly, where I need to refine.
Shifting the Narrative (research & podcast) // This five-episode narrative-style documentary series delves into how the dominant narratives on major political issues have changed over time, and how people and movements played a role in that over big issues like the death penalty, war on poverty and gun violence. This podcast serves as a companion to The Opportunity Agenda’s report by the same name.
Into Action (resource) // A repository of memes and gifs for progressive communicators and campaigns? Yes, please. Into Action boasts an incredible free collection of visually compelling collateral to complement your words, giving them the extra oomph to get your audience to pay attention.
I hope you are finding the time and space to breathe deeply, rest, and replenish your cup. If you feel compelled, I would really enjoy catching up to hear how your year was, how you are currently doing, and if there's anything you're looking forward to for 2023.
Wishing you and yours a happy almost 2023,
