Elevating Creativity: Our 4-Day Workweek Experiment

As an agency that was established to provide a better working environment and positive, caring cultural experience surrounding the creative process (even before we settled into our impact mission in 2012), we’ve decided we can’t let this ride. That's why Black Sheep has embarked on a 4-day workweek experiment to see how it affects the way we feel and the energy we can put into our work.

How our team is embracing a new way to work together

Regular

Here's a playlist curated by the Haus of Hoodoo with some certified bangers.

Homesick with Hoodoo

Knowing when to leave and start over is a superpower.

The Quitter's Guide to Boundaries

In the midst of another catastrophic rise in COVID-19 Cases, it's hard to feel inspired, again. Take a moment with us to find a few sparks of inspiration, from the olympics to good friends and close family. Let's be courageous together and find some inspiration.

Inspiration Dr.

Going to space is cool—but could it be a distraction tactic?

What do we need to go to space for? Why did a few billionaires spend billions to fly into space for a few minutes? What if Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk are just playing us? Maybe there's something larger at play.

GOING TO SPACE IS COOL: BUT COULD IT BE A DISTRACTION TACTIC?

Fair warning, I love everything about the Cosmos;  the wonder, the vastness of space and all of the possibilities of the unknown. 

The Revolution Might Just Start with a Mirror.

It's easy to hate our bodyies, but they're pretty magical things. With the help of some self affirmations, and a good podcast listen from Glennon Doyle, learn to treat your body like the beautiful instrument that it is.

The Revolution Might Just Start with a Mirror

Our identity is based on the deeper meaning we find in our life. Meaning comes from examining your own beliefs and core values to learn what is important to you.

When speaking of meaning and identity, it is indispensable to understand that the principle of meaning is found in the purpose of any act or sequence of acts. Whether we are driving to the grocery store or whether we try to see the entire largely unknown course of our lives stretch before us, no action or actions make sense unless they are aimed at a destination. 

Crisis of Meaning

This is a blog about how human truth is found in both marketing and comedy, humor and satire.

It's funny because it's true

Comedy, like marketing, requires human truth.

TIMOTHY OMUNDSON (FT. SELMA BLAIR) (2020) | Inside of You Podcast w/ Michael Rosenbaum #insideofyou

It's hard to navigate stress, especially when you've got an autoimmune disease. Community Organizer Torey Brown writes about how she gets through tough times.

This Too Shall Pass

Stress is difficult to manage, especially with an autoimmune disease.

Annie Dillard says “how we spend our days, is of course, how we spend our lives." It's been a year since we had to change how we spend our days, how can we change our perception of time, and make it work for us?

Time by any other name

Sounds can transport us, help us heal, help us focus and help us wind down. Here are some suggestions of soundscapes you can bring into your daily lives to help your work, and your relaxation.

From Your Laptop to the World

How we can use the internet to shift our inner landscapes to affect our external realities

Snow days make for great memories, but in the wake of the pandemic, we're lacking those miniscule moments of bliss, like being surrounded by snow.

What's Your Version of a Snow Day?

It snowed last week in my home state of Virginia.

Condemned by the Puritans, lamented by the young and wealthy and avoided by all, boredom is now an easily-remedied nuisance of yesteryear. No longer must one twiddle their thumbs in a waiting room, make small talk in an elevator, observe the faces of one’s Fellow Man in the subway, or gaze tragically out the window at passing scenery in a long silent car ride.

Transcendental Nothingness

Our screens have "cured" boredom, but is that really a good thing?

Joan Morgan  - Hip-Hop & Feminism

Since the 1990s, Black women in hip hop have been outspoken within their sexuality, freedom, self-preservation and dismantling toxic ideals and narratives.

Hip Hop Feminism Saved 2020

For me, this year has been one of complete transformation—from the inside out. 

Written by a Gen Z Digital Storyteller

A reflection on the weird parade of life and grime that this obnoxious pandemic year has spurred.

Triumphs and Laments of 2020

A reflection on the weird parade of life and grime that this obnoxious pandemic year has spurred

With the election behind us and much to happen these upcoming weeks, it's important to take a mental moment for ourselves. Here's a playlist to help keep it chill.  

Keep it chill

My iPhone screen time was up last week by 86%. 

Manifestation doesn’t just come in the form of furniture you need showing up near an oversized trash can. Manifestation is bringing something tangible into your life through attraction and belief. If you think it, it will come.

The Magical Dumpster and Manifestation

Amanda Oleander's paintings encourage us to take a second and appreciate the little things. Let it ground you, let it feel special. Then wholeheartedly soak it in.

Grounded by the Little Things

In efforts to encourage the let’s-all be-happy-and-ignore-the-chaos-for-a-little-bit ways, this’ll be short and sweet.

NSL Bites: Yvonne Force Villareal on the Power of Public Art

Yvonne’s statements on public art providing accessibility inspires work that can guide humanity and create opportunities for pause in new ways as we enter this new creative period.

The Power of Public Art

I’ve been thinking about this clip of Yvonne Force Villareal and what she said about the power of public art leading up to my trip to Marfa last week:

Why Originality is Wildly Unpopular (According to Neuroscience)

Originality is the courage to oppose and the insight to see how that opposition can change what we see in front of us.

When we think of the word “originality,” we think of the act of creation.

Nonprofits play a vital role in a democracy by empowering communities to advocate for their needs, organize around shared goals and serve vulnerable populations. They often fill gaps in services where government and private sector efforts fall short, amplifying the voices of the marginalized and fostering innovation that addresses society’s toughest challenges.

But nonprofits - and their essential role in our communities - are under threat. 

H.R. 9495, a bill currently moving through Congress, poses an unprecedented danger to the nonprofit sector and, by extension, to the democratic freedoms we all rely on.

You might read the title of H.R. 9495, the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, and think it’s focused on combating terrorism and aiding hostages—a noble cause. But beneath this misleading language lies a dangerous provision granting unchecked power to label nonprofits as “terrorist-supporting” without evidence—silencing critical voices and dismantling civil society.

If passed, this bill would grant the executive branch to label nonprofits as ‘terrorist-supporting’ without due process, allowing them to shut down organizations they disagree with—no evidence required.

This bill isn’t about protecting against terrorism—it’s about silencing dissent. It’s an anti-First Amendment weapon wrapped in anti-terrorist packaging, and it sets a dangerous precedent.

H.R. 9495 poses a grave threat to the core freedoms that define our democracy—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and the freedom to advocate. If passed, it could allow any administration to:

Shut down organizations fighting for LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice or labor unions

Target religious congregations, universities or community nonprofits over ideological differences

Seize nonprofit assets, intimidate future advocacy and deter dissent

This bill doesn’t just affect one side of the aisle. It endangers all nonprofits, from food banks and faith-based organizations to environmental groups and educational institutions. Imagine a world where political agendas silence critical community services and voices.

What’s at Stake for Nonprofits and Communities

Nonprofits play a vital role in building healthier, more just communities. They provide essential services like healthcare, education, and housing. They amplify the voices of marginalized groups and hold those in power accountable.

This bill threatens to strip nonprofits of their ability to serve and advocate. Without the nonprofit sector, our communities lose a crucial mechanism for civic engagement, innovation and change.

The ripple effects would be devastating—impacting individuals and entire communities who rely on nonprofits for advocacy, resources and support.

The fight to stop HR 9495 has moved to the Senate. Here’s how you can take action right now:

Call your Senators. Urge them to reject H.R. 9495. Vu from Nonprofit AF has linked to this helpful document with detailed explanations, scripts and lists of elected officials who voted for or chose not vote at all on this dangerous bill: LINK

Spread the Word. Share this post or write your own to raise awareness, then use your social and offline personal networks to ensure people know what’s at stake.

Support Advocacy Efforts. Donate to or volunteer with organizations leading the fight against this bill, such as the NAACP and ACLU. Your contributions help field legal challenges, public education campaigns and direct advocacy with lawmakers.

Nonprofits are more than service providers—they are defenders of democracy. They are the lifeblood of civil society, and defending them is defending democracy. 

Now is the time to act to ensure our communities continue to have a voice and protect the freedoms that allow nonprofits to serve and advocate for the public good. We stand with our nonprofit clients and friends; let’s do this. 

H.R. 9495 is a dangerous bill that threatens nonprofit organizations and core democratic freedoms. Learn how this bill could silence civil society and what actions you can take to help stop it.

Defend Nonprofits, Defend Democracy: Take Action Against H.R. 9495

Why This Dangerous Bill Threatens Free Speech and Civil Society—and How You Can Help Stop It

H.R. 9495 is a bill currently moving through Congress that is threatening nonprofits and, by extension, the democratic freedoms we all rely on.

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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