Creatures of Habit: A Black Sheep Experiment (Part III)

This blog post is a part of a series—an experiment of sorts. You see, I’m reading a book about forming better habits, and I invited the entire agency to participate.

This blog post is a part of a series—an experiment of sorts. You see, I’m reading a book about forming better habits, and I invited the entire agency to participate. I also invited YOU to play along—and it’s not too late. It’s never too late. This is the third post of the series. Read the first two here and here.

Condensed

How A Coloring Book Sparked My Creativity

If I’ve heard one name over and over this past year, it’s Chance the Rapper.

Must Be Present

To Meditate: verb. Think deeply or focus one’s mind for a period of time, in silence or with an aid, for religious or spiritual purposes or as a method of relaxation.

Never Backward, Always Forward: A Case Against Complacency

Spoilers ahead for Luke Cage: In a traditional creating-a-superhero story, Luke Cage’s evolution into Harlem’s protector is both predictable and needed—a man, with a brutal past and horrific testimony, sees his loved ones tragically taken from him.

Spoilers ahead for Luke Cage:In a traditional creating-a-superhero story, Luke Cage’s evolution into Harlem’s protector is both predictable and needed—a man, with a brutal past and horrific testimony, sees his loved ones tragically taken from him. Most notably was Pop, a father-figure and mentor to Power Man (and every other young man that walked into his barber shop), whose motto resonated every time he spoke to Luke: “Never backward, always forward. Always.”

After last night’s Presidential debate, I went to bed feeling like I was out of options.

100 Reasons To Vote

After last night’s Presidential debate, I went to bed feeling like I was out of options. Whether you lean left or right, the 2016 campaign approach from both candidates has, sadly, divided our nation into two Americas. Which, frankly, seems to be the root of several major issues that will significantly impact how we live our lives today and how future generations will live in tomorrow’s America.

Starring David Berman and writers…everywhere.

We spend a lot of time thinking about words and reviewing words making sure we aren’t killing the meaning or point we are crafting.

We spend a lot of time thinking about words and reviewing words making sure we aren’t killing the meaning or point we are crafting. We debate punctuation and whether it’s “non-profit” or “nonprofit”. BTW, it’s nonprofit.

Creatures of HABIT: A Black Sheep Experiment (Part I)

“We’re not perfect—but we’re constantly perfecting.”  This is something you’ll hear us say around the Black Sheep office time and again, week after week.

“We’re not perfect—but we’re constantly perfecting.”  This is something you’ll hear us say around the Black Sheep office time and again, week after week. It’s a mantra of sorts—and at times it can even feel like a bit of a commitment we’re renewing. It’s a nod to the fact that we can always be better…that we can acknowledge the space for improvement, push ourselves harder and find ways to work smarter for ourselves, for each other and for our clients.

To be incredibly too predictable, I, the recovering community outreach officer turned brand manager, can’t help but bring us back to the importance of community—of creating a space to bring people together, in real life, for one-on-one conversations.

The Importance of IRL

I hate to talk about this because I feel like it’s all I can talk about these days, but my husband and I are expecting our first child in October.

The Art of Appreciation

I hate to talk about this because I feel like it’s all I can talk about these days, but my husband and I are expecting our first child in October. As we’ve geared up to take on a new stage in our lives, we’ve been surrounded by enormous support and help. Help that might not always get the proper “thank you” it deserves. 

Reality television, sports and anything that can be classified as “pop-culture” is lost on me. I don’t know what a Drake is and I haven’t seen a movie in a theatre in almost a year.

Do You Even Know Who You Are?

Vengeance. Money. Love. These are all words we’re saying so you read this blog about economics.

A couple years ago I read my first enjoyable non-fiction book.

A couple years ago I read my first enjoyable non-fiction book. I know there’s a lot of enjoyable non-fiction out there, but REALLY… the magic of Hogwarts has resulted in an entire theme park, whereas the history of Hispanics in the Mormon Zion* has resulted in, well, my falling asleep on a hot pink highlighter.

Pounding the tarmac through the seasons, a band of runners are brazenly challenged with intimate questions as they pace their routes. Liberated from responsibilities, their guards drop dramatically, releasing funny and brutally frank confessions, and weaving a powerful narrative behind the anonymous masses.

A film by Matan Rochlitz & Ivo Gormley.

#therunners

**OFFICIAL SELECTION - SHEFFIELD DOC/FEST 2013**
** HONOURABLE MENTION - LONDON SHORT FILM FESTIVAL 2014**
**OFFICIAL SELECTION - OPEN CITY DOCS, LONDON 2013**
**OFFICIAL SELECTION - NEW ORLEANS FILM FESTIVAL 2013**
**OFFICIAL SELECTION - KAOHSIUNG FILM FESTIVAL, TAIWAN 2013**

The Runners on The Guardian: 
theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/the-running-blog/2013/nov/15/the-runners-film-interviewing-people-jogging

The Runners

At Black Sheep, we love ideas: New ideas. Bold ideas. Crazy ideas. Audacious ideas.

Why Are You Running Today?

Learn from locals #storyhopper

Over the last few years, I’ve spent a lot of time in airports.

Spend The Night With The Locals

Over the last few years, I’ve spent a lot of time in airports. There’s something I love about airports—maybe it’s the promise of adventure, or the $15 coffee, or the fact that security always, always, always pulls me out of line to search me and I end up having to frantically rush to make it to the gate in time.

Around 2008, I was going through the clearance section of Half Price Books in Austin and came across a chunky little thing with the clickbait-y title of 283 Useful Ideas from Japan.

My Friend Leonard

Around 2008, I was going through the clearance section of Half Price Books in Austin and came across a chunky little thing with the clickbait-y title of 283 Useful Ideas from Japan. The subheading of the book is “For Entrepreneurs and Everyone Else” and while the typeface on the front looked bad, I decided to not judge a book by its cover.

“Brainstorm with me for a second.” — said every person in #agencylife ever.

Thinking Caps + Lightbulb Moments

We’ve turned to each other for inspiration for seven years.

#SHEEPSPO

We’ve turned to each other for inspiration for seven years. Now, we’d like to share that inspiration with you, to give you a snapshot of what greases our gears and fuels our creativity every Monday morning.

THE WRITE STUFF: Advice to Step Up Your Words

Regular

Ditch Your Resolutions (And These Things Too)

New Years revolutions that you can actually stick to

WTF Is Peach and Other Stuff You Need To Know Now

Staying up to date on new technology and social media

Lessons that we could learn from Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler Still Wins

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

We like to type as much as we like to listen.

We're not shy.