The Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for and supporting Black journalists in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. As the nation’s oldest regional chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), WABJ provides resources, networking opportunities, mentorship, and scholarships to help ensure equity, representation, and career development for Black media professionals.
Each year, WABJ hosts its annual Awards Gala—a powerful night that honors excellence in journalism, celebrates community leadership, and raises funds for scholarships and professional development. As the event grew in visibility and ambition, WABJ recognized the need to brand the gala as a signature moment in its own right—one that reflected the prestige of the honorees and the pride of its membership.
While the gala was well-attended, it lacked a cohesive visual identity and brand story. The event’s materials—flyers, social posts, and signage—felt disconnected year to year. WABJ needed support developing a consistent look and feel for the gala that felt professional, celebratory, and true to the organization’s voice and legacy.
We worked closely with WABJ leadership to define the gala’s brand personality—sophisticated, powerful, unapologetically Black—and developed a full visual identity system that could evolve with the event over time. From the logo to the color palette to the typographic treatment, every design choice was rooted in honoring Black excellence in journalism.
Beyond visuals, we helped craft key messaging and storytelling touchpoints—from copywriting to social media templates—that positioned the gala as a must-attend celebration for D.C.’s Black media and civic communities. Our creative direction was grounded in collaboration, with space for community feedback and leadership input throughout the process.
Design & Deliverables
With a clear and consistent brand, the 2024 WABJ Gala felt unified and elevated. The new visuals helped increase sponsorship interest, improved engagement on social media, and brought a new level of polish to the guest experience. For WABJ members, the event now feels like a true reflection of who they are and what they stand for—bold, brilliant, and rooted in excellence.
The success of the Gala redesign helped solidify an ongoing partnership between WABJ and Black Digital, including the full relaunch of WABJDC.org. The new website has become a comprehensive hub for membership, events, and advocacy—fueling WABJ’s fundraising, programming, and long-term growth.
Visual Identity
Brand Messaging
Art Direction
Content Strategy
Graphic Design
Web Design
UX Design
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