Mastering Communication and Branding: Key Takeaways from 2024 Bunting Fellows' Transformative Session

As the 2024 Bunting Fellows mark their 17th week in the Bunting Neighborhood Leadership Program, they not only reflect on the knowledge gained but also on the transformative personal growth they’ve experienced. The October 11 session was pivotal, filled with enriching insights on communication and branding – two crucial skills for leaders in today’s complex world.

Understanding the Power of Communication: Trauma-Informed Health Communications

A standout moment came when Dr. Ivan Juzang, Founder and President of Motivational Educational Entertainment (MEE), a nationally renowned communications, market research, and social marketing firm, shared his expertise on Trauma-Informed Health Communications. His presentation reinforced the importance of understanding the worldview of the communities they serve. He highlighted that effective messaging isn’t just about delivering information but shaping it to align with the audience’s lived experiences. Key elements like Orality and Persuasive Strategies, Interactive Persuasive Processes, Narrative as Persuasion, and the vital role of Source Credibility were discussed in-depth. The Fellows learned to leverage culturally relevant practices like storytelling as oral-based communication and engagement can be more impactful than impersonal literate-based communication. Juzang explained that while literate-based communication allows people to ‘take it or leave it,’ oral-based communication invites individuals to ‘hear it and respond.’ This insight pushed them to reconsider how they engage their communities. 

After the session, the Fellows recognized that understanding the perspectives of those they serve is critical in shaping an impactful message or narrative. This is a crucial skill the Fellows will use to build trust and drive community action. 

Building a Digital Presence: Mastering the Art of Branding

The Fellows spent the afternoon exploring the digital landscape with Kadmiel Van Der Puije, CEO and Founder of the Voice of Africa, a media company that informs Africans all over the world. Representing his management consulting firm, Dervan Solutions, his masterclass on “Mastering the Digital Space: Building your Brand and Boosting Engagement” equipped the Fellows with practical strategies to create a consistent and professional online presence. Through panels on brand collaborations and community engagement, the Fellows learned how to forge meaningful partnerships, authentically connect with their audiences, and strategically brand themselves and their work. These lessons are particularly relevant for community leaders who rely on visibility and engagement to mobilize support for their initiatives. 

Forging Successful Brand Collaborations

Mastering Brand Building and Community Engagement

Leveraging PR to Build Authentic Brands & Mock Interviews

The session concluded with mock media interviews led by Cheyanne Marie Daniels, Race and Politics Reporter for The Hill and Creator/Host of The Switch Up podcast; Chardelle Moore, Founder and CEO of Motivational Moore and former reporter. Fellows Coach Dei and Curtis Warren practiced handling media interactions in real time. This exercise pushed them out of their comfort zones and helped them refine their public speaking and media-handling skills—tools that will be invaluable as they continue their leadership journeys. 

The fellows learned that crafting an authentic and consistent personal brand is essential for effective leadership in the digital age. The ability to communicate effectively under pressure is a vital skill for any leader. They are now equipped to leverage these tools to amplify their voices and drive impact Through practice, the Fellows are building confidence in delivering their message with clarity and poise. 

We extend our gratitude to our amazing guest speakers for their wisdom and inspiration. Be sure to check out the highlights on our Instagram reel to relive this dynamic session!