Storytelling can be messy and unorganized, but that's okay!
In recent months, I've witnessed a decline in community storytelling, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices due to the implementation of harmful policies. These policies have the potential to hinder community support and advancement and the development of thriving systems change.
When advising clients eager to incorporate new marketing design practices into their branding, it's crucial to emphasize the importance of community storytelling in engaging their digital community. This form of storytelling is a rich and complex process that goes beyond a simple quote or a face on a social media post.
It's time to adopt new practices that uplift communities and are not based on harmful policies. The individuals within the community, whether in a social setting or in leadership positions, should be the ones telling their stories, sharing their experiences, and shaping the future outcomes of the work.
This type of communication and storytelling may seem messy, unorganized, and unconventional in professional settings, but that's the essence of community storytelling—it's about their voice and their power.
These practices can potentially lead to advocating at state capitals for nonprofits facing budget cuts. Storytelling can drive a new fundraising campaign by sharing the voices of those with lived experiences and connecting with other members of the community who could benefit from your mission.
If you're in the process of rebranding your marketing and developing new communication strategies for the rest of the year, it's essential to unlearn old communication strategies. Instead, invest time in understanding the tone of the community and integrating new strategies that involve all voices of your target audience. This shift towards inclusivity and diversity can significantly enhance your marketing and fundraising efforts.
Creativity and Mental Health
As I've been creating a space for Design and Racial Equity in recent years, I've encountered numerous personal and career challenges. These challenges continue to make room for growth. Still, they have also, at times, caused me to question whether or not people are ready to understand the implications of how marketing is harming BIPOC communities, especially Black communities.
It's crucial to be aware of these implications to truly understand the impact of our work, and to feel informed and responsible for the effects of our actions.
Creativity and mental health are deeply interconnected. Painting, writing, or playing music can positively impact mental well-being. However, when that space is connected to livelihood and financial security, balancing objectives and goals that don't center on urgency and deadlines becomes overwhelming.
Numerous BIPOC designers are actively seeking out purposeful, engaging, innovative, and awe-inspiring visuals while also aiming to prioritize activities that support their mental well-being within their professional journeys.
Focusing on design and racial equity has the capacity to transform these environments for countless BIPOC designers and marketers in the professional realm who are seeking to extend beyond social media platforms and bring significance to their voices through advertisements, publications, event venues, and global conferences.