STRATEGIC STORYTELLING &
COMMUNICATIONS
FOR SCHOOLS, NONPROFITS &
MISSION-DRIVEN ORGANIZATIONS
Helping institutions communicate their work in ways people can see, feel, and believe in— through strategy, campaigns, editorial storytelling, and video production.
Led by Emmy Award–winning storyteller, author, and communications strategist Abi Ishola-Ayodeji, with experience across education, media, nonprofits, and public-facing institutions.
Schools and nonprofits are doing meaningful work every day, but too often, that work isn’t communicated in a way people can see, understand, or believe in.
When communication lacks clarity and consistency:
Important work goes unseen
Communities feel disconnected
Impact becomes difficult to recognize
Let’s close that gap through strategic, human-centered storytelling, communications, and media.
STRONG COMMUNITIES ARE BUILT ON TRUST
Messaging Strategy / Storytelling / Community Engagement / Institutional Voice / Campaign Development
Messaging Strategy / Storytelling / Community Engagement / Institutional Voice / Campaign Development
How I Support Nonprofits & Schools
Creating narrative-driven content across digital platforms, newsletters, campaigns, and social media to strengthen audience connection and institutional visibility.
Communications Strategy
Storytelling & Editorial Content
Strengthening how schools communicate with families and communities
Clarifying messaging, positioning, and communication priorities to strengthen trust, visibility, and engagement.
Campaigns & Community Engagement
SIGNATURE OFFERING
Communications Audit & Messaging Framework
An 4-8 week engagement designed to strengthen how your institution communicates across platforms and with your community.
Designed to help institutions communicate more clearly, strengthen community trust, and align messaging across platforms.
Includes:
• Audit of current communications channels and messaging systems
• Messaging clarity assessment
• Website + newsletter review
• Storytelling opportunities
• Strategic recommendations
Deliverables:
• Communications audit report
• Messaging framework
• Storytelling strategy
• Audience communication recommendations
SELECTED
CAMPAIGNS & STORYTELLING WORK
Teach & Thrive
A Recruitment Campaign Rooted in Belonging and Purpose for the South Orange–Maplewood School District
Description:
Lead messaging development, storytelling strategy, campaign copy, and narrative direction for recruitment materials and supporting content to attract mission-driven educators. Built a cohesive narrative across digital and print—translating the district’s values into a clear, compelling story that resonates with prospective teachers.
Impact:
This campaign positioned the district as a place where educators are supported, valued, and able to thrive—strengthening how the district communicates with both talent and community.
Connecting Students to Cultural Icons Through Storytelling
Description:
Led outreach and storytelling for a student art initiative at Columbia High School and secured participation from renowned ballet dancer, Misty Copeland. Developed the narrative and coverage to amplify student efforts and elevate the moment into a meaningful district story.
Impact:
This initiative strengthened student engagement and community pride by connecting local work to a nationally recognized figure—demonstrating the power of thoughtful storytelling and strategic outreach.
Emmy Award-Winning Storytelling for the City University of New York (CUNY)
Description:
I spent over a decade as a producer at CUNY TV where I wrote, produced, and edited content showcasing the City University of New York’s faculty, students, programs, and staff. I earned an Emmy Award for best content.
Impact:
This work strengthened the university’s narrative and public visibility by translating its academic and community impact into compelling, accessible storytelling.
City College Appoints First Black Woman Dean of Engineering
Who Runs It is a series on Urban U that honors the dedicated professionals who keep City University of New York thriving. In this segment, I featured Gilda Barabino of City College of New York—the first Black woman to lead an engineering school at a non-HBCU institution.
John Jay Students Find Release in Podcasting
When it comes to narrative nonfiction podcasts, very few cater to young and diverse voices. See how students at John Jay College are filling the void.
Produced, and edited by Abi Ishola for Urban U, CUNY TV
Building Engaging Content Ecosystems
Description:
I developed and executed content strategies across newsletters and digital platforms for digitalundivided, a leading nonprofit that supports women entrepreneurs—driving audience growth, increasing engagement, and strengthening brand voice.
Impact:
• Increased organic Instagram engagement by 140% through strategic content and storytelling
• Grew audience reach and interaction across digital platforms through consistent messaging and editorial direction
• Strengthened brand voice and audience connection through targeted content strategy
Editorial Partnership with HuffPost
Description:
I contributed editorial content to HuffPost through a special blog partnership, developing stories centered on identity, culture, and representation. My work extended the reach of my platform, Beyond Classically Beautiful, while bringing a strong, inclusive storytelling approach that translates directly to how schools and nonprofits communicate with and reflect their communities.
Impact:
My work expanded the reach of inclusive, identity-centered storytelling while demonstrating how thoughtful narratives can better engage and reflect diverse communities.
VIDEO STORYTELLING & PRODUCTION
Strategic video storytelling and production that translates institutional work into compelling visual narratives through documentaries, editorial features, news storytelling, health reporting, and human-centered media.
Featured videos produced by Emmy Award–winning storyteller Abi Ishola-Ayodeji.
Messaging Strategy / Storytelling / Community Engagement / Institutional Voice / Campaign Development
Messaging Strategy / Storytelling / Community Engagement / Institutional Voice / Campaign Development
Impact & Outcomes
Translated institutional values into clear, compelling messaging that resonates with donors, families, clients, and educators
Elevated storytelling across platforms, increasing visibility of programs, people, and student impact
Strengthened teacher recruitment narratives to better attract mission-aligned educators
Improved nonprofit’s audience engagement through intentional content strategy and messaging clarity
Brought cohesion and consistency to communications, building greater trust within communities
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
"During my tenure as Executive Fashion and Beauty Editor at HuffPost, Abi's work, including a robust blog partnership, contributed to driving new and returning visitors to the HuffPost Style vertical and increasing daily web traffic to the rapidly growing Beauty Page. If you are interested in collaborating with a brilliant writer who has masterful communication skills that appeals to diverse readers, start with Abi."
— Dana Oliver
Executive Editor, Writer, ConsultantAbi's guidance in revamping our marketing web copy was transformative and her feedback and decisiveness throughout the project was greatly appreciated. Her strategic vision and attention to detail elevated our messaging, leaving a lasting impact on the organization. I wholeheartedly recommend Abi for her visionary leadership and transformative contributions to brand development and communications excellence. It was a privilege to work with someone of her caliber!
— Ariel Childs
Digital Marketer,
Tech, Social Impact StartupsAbi is an outstanding communicator, writer, and storyteller, with a gift for finding the heart of a story and telling it in a way that feels authentic and engaging. I worked closely with Abi for several years at CUNY TV, where I served as her senior producer. Many of the stories she produced reflected her desire to highlight perspectives often overlooked, work she always approached with integrity, depth, and humanity. Her storytelling and production work earned her Emmy recognition, something the station was incredibly proud of.
— Vianora Vinca
Senior Producer,
City University of New York TV
HOW I WORK
I partner with institutions to bring clarity and alignment to how they communicate.
SUMMER COMMUNICATIONS INTENSIVE
What It Helps With:
• Clarifying key messaging before the school year begins
• Strengthening family and community communication
• Aligning messaging across platforms
• Preparing for major initiatives or announcements
Summer is a critical window for schools and nonprofits to reset, refine, and strengthen how they communicate.
This focused engagement is designed to help your institution move into a busier season with clarity, alignment, and a stronger connection to your community.
What’s Included:
• communications review
• messaging recommendations
• newsletter or website guidance
• strategic direction for the upcoming school year
Core Capabilities
Strategic Communications
Messaging Frameworks
Storytelling Strategy
Video Production
Campaign Development
Editorial Content
Community Engagement
Social Media Strategy
Audience Engagement
DISCOVERY CALL