Case Studies
Choose Healthy Life
Choose Healthy Life (CHL) is a nationwide effort to address COVID-19 and other health disparities through the Black church. The Wakeman Agency was retained to lead strategic communications and implementation to increase COVID-19 testing and vaccinations in 14 states for local community residents. This coordinated effort between 120 churches in Illinois, Georgia, South Carolina, Indiana, California, Louisiana, Delaware, Alabama, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Michigan New Jersey and New York required a multi-tiered strategy and execution plan to adopt social norms in the respective cities, while also operating with a sense of urgency focused on driving people to vaccination sites led by the churches.
New York Urban League
New York Urban League (NYUL) retained The Wakeman Agency to revitalize their signature diversity, equity and inclusion fundraising event, Champions of Diversity. For the last 16 years, the event was structured as an awards breakfast. Wakeman helped them reimagine the event in a manner that positioned their expertise, while engaging in meaningful and action oriented conversations related to DEI. With this being NYUL’s first in person event since 2019, it was important that it incorporated a number of emerging themes around DEI.
Help For Children
Help for Children (HFC) retained The Wakeman Agency to increase awareness of the nonprofit’s work providing grants to the most effective child abuse prevention and treatment programs in six countries. The organization had received little press and was not widely recognized in spite of their distribution of more than $51 million in grants in 20 years.
UCLA Civil Rights Project
Driving the narrative on segregation in NYC schools. UCLA’s Civil Rights Project/Proyecto Derechos Civiles (CRP) released a groundbreaking report entitled, “New York State’s Extreme School Segregation: Inequality, Inaction, and a Damaged Future.” This study explores trends in enrollment and school segregation patterns at the state and regional levels, including the New York City metropolitan area. The study’s conclusions found that
Alliance of Families for Justice
In early 2020, the emergence of the COVID crisis presented a critical moment for raising awareness of criminal justice reform and the personal experiences of incarcerated individuals and their families. The Alliance of Families for Justice, an advocacy group of-and-for the families of incarcerated New Yorkers and their loved ones, wanted to amplify key voices during this pivotal moment. AFJ
Animal Farm Foundation
CREATING ORGANIZATIONAL THOUGHT LEADERSHIP AT THE FOREFRONT OF ADVOCACY. The Wakeman Agency partnered with Animal Farm Foundation on its efforts to address breed restriction laws and practices that hinder access to housing and disability service resources for their human companions. We knew that their goal to revise policies meant they needed to develop their organizational identity as a leading, public
National Domestic Workers Alliance
Results at a Glance Planned and executed a major fundraising event with more than 400 attendees in a short time frame. Increased donations by developing an event strategy and establishing a fundraising committee. Translated a strong nonprofit brand into an event’s ethos. Developed a strategy to engage a new donor population of young professionals. The Wakeman Agency Helps a Large
The YWCA Salute Luncheon
Results at a Glance Completely overhauled and executed a signature event in fewer than four months Exceeded funds raised by 15% Increased giving at the event Initiated a fundraising model the YW still uses today Coached the Board of Directors into a more active fundraising role Partnered on the event for five years, increasing fundraising year over year The YWCA
Chemo Cars
At-A-Glance: The Wakeman Agency counseled ChemoCars, a recently established organization dedicated to providing transportation to treatment for cancer patients, on developing strategic corporate and community partnerships. We helped ChemoCars gain national renown through media exposure that included segments on “CBS Evening News” and “Inside Edition.” As media attention created awareness, the number of rides provided increased by 20% in two
New York Urban League
New York Urban League Overview In the summer of 2010, the New York Urban League approached The Wakeman Agency to provide media relations services for its 40th Annual Football Classic. The game, which is considered one of the hallmark events, provides funds for the League’s Whitney M. Young, Jr., scholarship program. In recent years, the game had lost its luster
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