Amid rising attacks on racial justice, many communicators are struggling with what to say and how to say it. A new tool from BMSG and Narrative Initiative offers guidance for navigating uncertainty and making more confident narrative choices. Explore the tool: www.bmsg.org/narrative-wo...

New year. New resolutions. Same old silence about weight discrimination. Let's make this the year we change the narrative. A chapter by BMSG's Pamela Mejia, along with Tigress Osborn and Amanda Cooper, can help. Revisit it here: https://www.liberationstories.com/

ICYMI: Check out our Top 10 public health & social justice media bites list — quotes that named harm, honored lived experience, and reminded us why people keep organizing, speaking out, and refusing to back down. What words stayed with you this year? Share your favorite! https://ow.ly/yCBE50XQJjc

Here’s our 2025 media bites list — powerful public health and social justice quotes from news articles, interviews, and more that have stuck with us. Read our picks here: https://ow.ly/bfPM50XMA8N and feel free to reply or tag us in any media bites we missed!

We're hiring! This is a part-time, temporary, position that is expected to begin on January 12, 2026, and last 12 weeks. The incumbent will be expected to work mornings with a schedule of 15 hours per week. This is a fully remote position but must be based in the United States.

News coverage of attacks on trans rights tends to exclude the very communities being targeted. We recently sat down with Kae Petrin, co-founder of the Trans Journalists Association to learn how journalists can improve their coverage and report more responsibly. Read here: https://ow.ly/5W2u50XC8si

This past week, several BMSG staff attended the Just Narratives convening in St. Louis spoke about building narrative power. Huge thanks to Race Forward for bringing together so many smart and creative communicators, storytellers, and advocates from all over the nation.

ICYMI: News of Marshawn Kneeland’s tragic death has captured national attention — but one part of the story is missing. Suicide is the leading cause of gun deaths in the U.S., yet it’s rarely covered that way. We need to talk about why — and how to change that. https://ow.ly/FPhE50Xrm1G

At the #JustNarratives convening in STL today? Join our 10:50 session to learn about narrative power — and how we can build it to uplift communities and influence policies. Hope to see you there!

News of Marshawn Kneeland’s tragic death has captured national attention — but one part of the story is missing. Suicide is the leading cause of gun deaths in the U.S., yet it’s rarely covered that way. We need to talk about why — and how to change that. https://ow.ly/FPhE50Xrm1G

Tesla shareholders just approved Elon Musk’s $1 trillion pay package, but what does that mean, exactly? To help audiences grasp the magnitude of large numbers, use creative comparisons or break them down by time, like Oligarch Watch has done. Learn more: https://ow.ly/bHLJ50XoLrw

Building narrative power requires all of us. Join us Nov 13-15 in St. Louis for Just Narratives for Multiracial Solidarity—bringing together the brightest minds in movement communications. Spots filling quickly! https://ow.ly/joVw50Xm6so

Are you an advocate or public information officer looking to deepen your connections with multicultural news outlets in California? This Nov. 7 expo will offer just that chance, with more than 100 outlets attending. Learn more and register: https://ow.ly/M8Gw50XnyNb

Looking for Missouri-specific firearm research to support your strategic communication? A new report from The Missouri Foundation for Health gives insight into the adults’ firearm-related beliefs, attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors. Learn more: https://ow.ly/khCL50XnyIh

SNAP keeps kids’ stomachs full, helps grandparents stay healthy, and keeps corner grocery stores open by making sure neighbors can shop there. We need more effective messages that demonstrate SNAP’s benefits to whole communities. Learn more in our new blog: https://ow.ly/kf4J50Xnl8C

Want to shift the narrative on SNAP? Use language that goes beyond individual participants to show the program’s benefits to families, local economies, and communities. Check out our latest blog for sample messages: https://ow.ly/GWSZ50XmS4c

We're proud to partner with Race Forward for their Just Narratives for Multiracial Solidarity convening, bringing together narrative strategists, communicators, and storytellers Nov 13-15 in St. Louis. Join us: https://ow.ly/5MOj50Xm6oy

A good headline can teach a lesson in framing. “A threat to immigrant workers is a threat to all workers, and to the communities that depend on their labor.” It’s a powerful example of how connecting to shared values — and shared fates — can strengthen public understanding and solidarity.

What if strategic communication started with mapping power? A new BMSG blog explores how public health advocates can use power mapping to shift narratives, strengthen coalitions, and advance equity. https://www.bmsg.org/power-mapping-for-narrative-change/ #NarrativeChange #HealthEquity

Yes!! This op-ed is such an important reminder of the value of plain language. Messages are only effective if they reach people. And jargon is like static on a radio — when there is too much of it, people will simply tune out. https://ow.ly/wshK50XhL6X

How do we make sure our communication strategies shift power toward equity instead of just spreading messages? Power mapping offers a framework. Learn more in our latest blog featuring BMSG’s Director of Racial and Health Equity Strategy. www.bmsg.org/power-mappin...

What if supporting local news started with rethinking how we talk about politics? A new report suggests avoiding words like “democracy” and “journalism” can reduce partisan spin, but some say that blurs the line between real reporting and spin. What do you think? Read more: bit.ly/472f35a

News coverage of the attacks on trans rights are excluding trans voices. @media-studies.bsky.social and @transjournalists.org found that 70% of articles about trans people did not quote any trans people, and just 6% quoted trans youth. Journalists can do better. Full report here: bit.ly/TJA_visible