OVERVIEW
The Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation (BLMGNF) is seeking proposals from qualified communications and public relations consultants or firms to provide communications and PR support to the organization and its Board of Directors. The ideal firm or consultant will have experience working with social justice organizations, not-for-profit organizations, grassroots organizations, global movements and/or campaigns, and a track record of placing and generating positive media and press coverage.
ABOUT BLMGNF
#BlackLivesMatter was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, Inc. is a global organization, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. By combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy, we are winning immediate improvements in our lives.
We are expansive. We are a collective of liberators who believe in an inclusive and spacious movement. We also believe that in order to win and bring as many people with us along the way, we must move beyond a narrow nationalism that maintains prevalence in Black communities. We must ensure that the movement we are building continuously brings all of us to the front.
We affirm the lives of Black queer and trans folks, disabled folks, undocumented folks, folks with records, women, and all Black lives along the gender spectrum. Our network centers those who have been marginalized within Black liberation movements.
We are working for a world where Black lives are no longer systematically targeted for demise. We affirm our humanity, our contributions to this society, and our resilience in the face of deadly oppression. The call for Black lives to matter is a rallying cry for ALL Black lives striving for liberation.
BLMGNF’S COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
BLMGNF prohibits discrimination in contracting, employment, promotion, compensation, terms, conditions or privileges of employment on the basis of gender, disability, race, ethnicity, religion, age, national origin, color, creed or sexual orientation, marital or parental status, veteran’s status or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. BLMGNF is an equal opportunity contracting entity and will comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in contracting. Our equal opportunity policy covers all programs, services, policies and procedures of BLMGNF, including opportunity for contracting and treatment as an independent contractor as well as employees engaged by our organization.
PROJECT BACKGROUND & DESCRIPTION
BLMGNF is looking for an experienced consultant or firm to assist with rebranding communications and digital messaging, media relations, and strategy. Ideal candidates/firms will be interested in and motivated to enter into a long-term relationship supporting the success, vision and work of BLMGNF.
SCOPE OF WORK A: COMMUNICATIONS & PR
The scope of work for this initial engagement includes:
–Proactively managing media relations and pitches to a wide range of cross-platform outlets (blogs, podcasts, social media, radio, and television/traditional media outlets)
–Proactively identifying high-value PR opportunities and pitches (i.e. op-ed placement, podcast and television appearances, quotes in stories relevant to BLMGNF)
–Leading interview facilitation/prep for BLMGNF Board, leadership, and partners
–Crafting PR materials (press releases, media advisories, speeches, talking points)
–Providing strategic communications and PR counsel to the BLMGNF Board and leadership, with general availability for ongoing ad hoc or project-specific advisory and/or execution (up to five [5] hours/week)
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
Press Management/Public Relations
–Acting as primary press/public relations coordinator for BLMGNF: identifying potential crises, devising contingency plans, managing press inquiries, and drafting/distributing press-related communications materials (press releases, talking points, media kits, blogs, social posts)
–Holding, nurturing, and developing valuable and net-new relationships with reporters and media outlets (including arts and cultural channels/figures) that can drive positive coverage
–Engaging intentionally and thoughtfully with diverse media, ensuring earned and organic coverage and representation align with BLMGNF values
–Coordinating press conferences, interviews, and media events/requests for BLMGNF’s Board and leadership, as well as BLMGNF coalition members/partners, as needed
–Updating/maintaining media lists and identifying speaking opportunities for BLMGNF
–Monitoring mainstream news and social media coverage (keywords, sentiments and trends)
–Providing both tactical and strategic PR advisory on BLMGNF campaigns and initiatives
Strategic Communications
–Supporting the Board of Directors in researching and developing proactive, strategic, issue-specific messaging (content and scenario plans) that effectively captures the vision and voice of BLMGNF
–Working closely with the BLMGNF Board of Directors to craft digital programs and strategies that can achieve organizational objectives, while remaining nimble and ready to pivot in the face of circumstantial and/or technological disruption
–Creating political communications materials, including but not limited to: message frames, policy briefs, press releases, and talking points that ensure BLMGNF’s messages are communicated cohesively and consistently, and that earned media reflects BLMGNF’s values
–Developing actionable memos, news stories, op-eds, reports, white papers, and other fit-for-purpose deliverables to support BLMGNF in achieving its short and long-term goals –Rapidly soliciting and integrating input from key stakeholders on time-sensitive communications and PR materials, as well as other relevant BLMGNF collateral
NOTE: Candidates/firms that meet all priority qualifications are invited to jointly bid on Scope of Work A (communications and PR responsibilities) as well as Scope of Work B (social media management responsibilities, which are described below).
SCOPE OF WORK B: SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT
The scope of work for this initial engagement includes:
–Leading day-to-day operations of BLMGNF’s social channels (i.e. Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, X) while working across the organization to provide ongoing, up-to-date coaching and support to Board members, consultants, and staff on strategic prioritization and usage of social media
–Collaborating with BLMGNF Board to develop, improve, and iterate on intermediate and long-term plans for optimizing social media to achieve north star goals
–Synthesizing best practices and inputs from BLMGNF’s Board and coalitional partners to ensure that BLMGNF’s social media presence accurately reflects the movement and organization’s activities, goals, values and views
–Developing and implement platform-by-platform social media strategies (i.e. breakdowns of audiences, specific asks and content types, and crisis communications/scenario plans)
–Routinizing analysis/management of all social media processes, systems, and tools
–Coordinating with BLMGNF’s Board of Directors and communications/PR team on reporting infrastructure and agreed-upon success metrics for social media campaigns and programs