RFP | Black Wall Street Forward Marketing & Communications + Public Relations

Project Summary

Black Wall Street Forward (BWSF) is an action-based learning network with a goal of reimagining the vibrancy and economic impact of Black-centric business support networks across North Carolina. The Black Wall Street Forward initiative is modeled on the pillars that made Durham's original Black Wall Street successful, and aims to continue the legacy of this vibrant work by supporting and catalyzing local leaders, Black business owners, and champions. In our first year, we engaged five communities throughout the state of North Carolina - Charlotte, Durham, Fayetteville, Raleigh, and Winston-Salem -  in a cohort-based learning journey to explore the past and present of Black entrepreneurship in those communities and to take collaborative action to build a better collective future. We are deepening our support of work that emerged in the Durham and Raleigh communities in hopes of sustaining their efforts and momentum. 

Overview

Forward Cities seeks to enter a non-exclusive, project-based agreement with one or more suitable contractors to manage the storytelling, documentation, and communications for the BWSF work. The primary area of responsibility is creating and managing storytelling and social media content surrounding the efforts of our local community partners in Raleigh and Durham. 

The selected contractor will work closely with the Director of Ecosystem Engagement and the Director of Marketing and Communication on the following services:

Event photography and videography

The selected contractor will capture and document the essence and energy of the engagement through photographs and videos, produce narratives that effectively tell the story of each engagement, and ensure high quality footage and images that effectively document the engagement. The contractor must be able to cover in-person events in both Raleigh and Durham, NC.

Please provide three (3) examples of previous work.

Storytelling and Copywriting

Working closely with the BWSF and Communications teams to brainstorm ideas, develop concepts, and articulate messaging, the contractor will draft, edit, seek approval and distribute approved media materials such as press releases and blogs. This content will be used across platforms including print, web, mobile, video, and social media.

Please provide three (3) examples of previous work.

Scope of Work

• Work with the BWSF team to emerge distinct storytelling and communications strategies
• Manage creative production of visual storytelling from the initial concept to finished product and execution in alignment with engagement milestones, outputs, and outcomes. 
• Write and edit engaging original content for digital and print platforms - social media, press releases, blogs, etc. 
• Create and manage editorial calendars
• Provide editorial direction, design, production, and distribution of engagement assets, ensuring adherence to established brand identity and standards set forth by the Forward Cities team
• Develop and execute implementation of strategies and tactics for promoting virtual engagement content, convenings, and events on all digital channels including post-event follow up communication
• Create a digital catalog of photo, video, and social media content generated or captured

Timeline: Jan 15th, 2024 - September 31, 2024

Budget: $27,000

Applications close at 11:59PM EST on January 5, 2024.