ShaElla Askew Strategy & Storytelling

09/18/2026

There is a difference between people knowing your name and understanding what you do.

I have seen organizations post consistently and still hear the dreaded question:

“So...what exactly do y'all do?”

That question is feedback.

Your content may be active, but your story may still be unclear.

Every few months, look at your communications like someone who has never heard of you. Would they understand who you serve, what problem you address, and why the work matters?

09/17/2026

Want families to engage more? Give them more than one door.

I recently had the opportunity to attend Grandparents Day at my granddaughter Lyla’s learning center, and I genuinely appreciated how intentional they were about the experience.

The event was communicated well in advance, giving me time to plan. The activities were engaging, and we even got to create a family tree together. My favorite part? There was no issue with me bringing Dexter along. As a mom AND a Gigi, that flexibility meant a lot to me.

It reminded me that sometimes the smallest considerations make the biggest difference in whether families can participate.

Some families can attend in person. Others may need a virtual option, a text message, an evening event, or an opportunity to share feedback during pickup. Every family's circumstances are different, and those circumstances deserve consideration when we develop our engagement strategies.

Thank you to Lyla's learning center for creating such a welcoming experience. These are the moments families remember.

School leaders, what is one small change you've made that helped more families participate?

09/16/2026

Social media can tell you when your communication is not clear.

If five people ask the same question in the comments, do not get annoyed.

Fix the communication.

Update the caption. Create a FAQ. Add the answer to the website. Tell staff what people are asking.

Repeated questions are data.

Sometimes your audience is doing a free communications audit for you right in the comment section.

09/15/2026

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month.

This is a time to celebrate culture, history, language, family, entrepreneurship, art, food, leadership, and the many contributions Hispanic communities have made to this country.

But celebration should also come with awareness.

We can celebrate culture and still acknowledge that many Hispanic families are carrying real fear, uncertainty, and barriers that affect how they move through daily life. Some families are worried about sending their children to school. Some are navigating systems that feel harder to access. Some feel judged, stereotyped, or criminalized before anyone has taken the time to know their story.

That matters.

America has always been shaped by many cultures, languages, traditions, and experiences. That diversity is one of our strengths, and it deserves more than recognition during a designated month.

It deserves respect.

So yes, celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

But also listen. Learn. Pay attention. And remember that honoring a community means caring about the people in it, not just the culture we enjoy from it.

09/15/2026

Your mission statement should sound familiar to the people you serve.

If your website says families come first, but families consistently feel ignored, eventually the words stop carrying weight.

Brand perception is built through experiences.

Ask your community how they would describe your organization without showing them your mission statement first.

Listen carefully to the words they use.

That answer may tell you more about your brand than your brand guide does.

09/14/2026

This one meant a lot to me.

This was my first in-person workshop created to help people in the community better understand social media, the foundations behind it, and how they can use it to grow their brand, tell their story, build community, and use social media for good.

What was supposed to be a shorter workshop ended up running over an hour longer because everyone was so engaged. They did not even want to take a break. That told me everything I needed to know.

There is a real need for people in our community to understand the value of social media and what it can do when it is used the right way. It can open doors, build trust, create opportunity, and help break through generational barriers.

And of course, Kangaroo Willie almost did not make it to work. 😅 But he showed up, and he was excited. We even had guests from Xstream Minds Academy appear alongside Kangaroo Willie and Kangaroo Karen, which made the day even more special.

A special thank you to everyone who showed up on a Saturday morning. Your presence was truly appreciated.

A special thank you to On’Draya Morris for sponsoring this event on behalf of Florecer Community School . Your guidance, wisdom, and continued support mean so much to me.

Thank you to my daughter, Deidra Parker , who did an amazing job with the content, setup, and helping facilitate the workshop. Watching her step into this work with me was a proud moment.

Thank you to my family, who supports me always.

Thank you to Tiffaney Breaire Strayhorne and Tierra Robinson of Noirbham for providing the amazing food. It was seamless and one less thing I had to worry about. Make sure y’all check them out inside the Hoover Library.

Thank you to the Hoover Public Library for providing such a wonderful space and support. We had no issues getting set up and started for the day.

Thank you to Alexandria Eatman , my balloon artist as I like to call her. I gave her a little direction, and she executed exactly what I needed. I will definitely be using her again.

And a special thank you to Rachel Holifield for attending. Rachel is always extremely supportive of the community. She is an EDU specialist, consultant, entrepreneur, and founder of Learn, Grow, and More, LLC Learning and Gap Mentoring. She also has two beautiful daughters who are entrepreneurs as well. Make sure y’all check out Lemonlicious Lemonade. That sample was amazing after a long day.

More workshops are coming. More dad jokes are coming! They may be under a different umbrella, so stay tuned for that announcement.

The next session will give us space to deep dive into one of the most important foundations of social media: knowing your target audience.

Because when you know who you are talking to, your content starts making a lot more sense.

09/11/2026

During my recent trip to New York City, I visited the 9/11 Memorial.

When I first looked down into the memorial, I said, “That is a big hole.”

Almost immediately, I realized how small and insensitive that statement sounded when you think about what that space represents.

Thousands of lives lost. Men and women who ran toward danger to save others. Families whose lives changed forever that morning and who still carry that loss today.

“Never forget” means something.

It means remembering the people. Remembering the sacrifice. Remembering the families. But I also think it means remembering how, in the days that followed, people showed up for one another.

For a moment, we were reminded of our shared humanity.

We helped strangers. We checked on neighbors. We stood together.

More than two decades later, I hope we never lose that part of the memory either.

Today, I am remembering the lives lost, the heroes who served, and the families who continue to carry their stories.

09/10/2026

Some of the best stories are hiding in your organization because nobody thought they were “big enough” to share.

The staff member who stayed late to help a family.

The child who finally raised their hand.

The volunteer who has quietly shown up every month for three years.

The parent who found a resource because someone answered the phone and listened.

Storytelling does not always need a huge announcement.

Pay attention to the small moments. They are usually where the heart lives.

09/10/2026

I’m putting my money where my mouth is.

I’m donating $100 tomorrow to cover five $20 Power Cards for five Empower Community School students so they can participate in the Dave & Buster’s fundraiser.

Who wants to join me?

If you’ve ever said you support schools, students, and community based organizations, this is an easy way to help. You can sponsor one child for $20, a few kids, or whatever feels doable.

I’m going in tomorrow to pay cash, so if any of my friends, colleagues, school leaders, or community partners want to contribute, message me and let me know.

Let’s make sure a few more kids get to participate.

Who’s with me?

Empower families, get ready for our Dave & Buster’s Invasion on September 23 from 6:00–9:00 p.m.! 🎮💜

Power Cards are available for $10 or $20, and Empower receives 50% of every card purchased directly through the school. Cards purchased previously or directly from Dave & Buster’s will not count toward our fundraiser.

All purchases are CASH ONLY and must be submitted by September 18. Scholars may bring payment to school in an envelope labeled with their name. Best of all, the Power Cards are not just for the event, you can keep them, reload them, and use them during future visits!

Please contact Mrs. Oliver-Curry with any questions. Thank you for supporting Empower Community School!