We calm the chaos in your communications.

We are passionate about helping you communicate better, clearly, and consistently.

At our firm, we simplify your workload. Clear and consistent communication is essential for engaging and informing your audience. Our mission is straightforward: to help organizations communicate better, clearly, and consistently. This is the key to effective communication, no matter the type of organization. We're here to partner with you every step of the way. Relax and let us handle your communications.

Your Partner in Comms

Sharise M. Johnson was born and raised in Atlanta, GA and attended college at Hampton University in Hampton, VA, where she majored in Broadcast Journalism and Spanish. She has more than 15 years of experience in communications, particularly in internal and external communications, crisis management, public relations, and digital media, serving Fortune 100 corporations and educational institutions.

Prior to founding SMJ, Sharise served as the Senior Director of Communications for a school district based in Texas. In this role, Sharise stewarded the district’s brand locally and nationally by spearheading an effective and innovative internal and external communications strategy. Additionally, Sharise served as the Managing Director of National Communications for Teach For America, a Communications Manager at Atlanta Public Schools and managed corporate communication strategy and implementation for major campaigns and announcements at AT&T.

Sharise currently resides in Fort Mill, SC with her husband and daughters, Faith, Grace, and Joy. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, listening to a good book, sitting by the beach, spending time with family and friends, and participating in community service projects as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Case Studies

Accelerating the Center for Outcomes Based Contracting Rebrand and Launch

Through the strategic rebrand, the Center for OBC now stands as a pioneering authority in educational contracting, distinguished by its commitment to outcomes-based accountability and equitable educational opportunities. This 7-week transformation redefined the Center’s brand, expanded its reach, and reinforced its mission to drive measurable, meaningful student success.

  • In 2024, the Southern Education Foundation’s Outcomes Based Contracting (OBC) initiative sought to expand its reach and impact by transforming into a dedicated Center for Outcomes Based Contracting (the Center for OBC). This evolution aligned with SEF’s mission and vision, emphasizing student-centered outcomes, educational equity, and systematic improvement. Within a focused 7-week timeline, our team at SMJ Communications led a strategic rebrand, creating a comprehensive brand identity and launch plan to establish the Center for OBC as the trusted leader and expert in outcomes based contracting.

    • Timeline Constraints: A 7-week deadline required efficient coordination and accelerated development of branding, messaging, and media strategies.

    • Distinction Between Model and Organization: The rebrand needed to differentiate OBC as a contracting model from the Center as an organization and authority in the field.

    • Stakeholder Alignment: Communicating this transition to key stakeholders, including SEF staff, funders, partners, facilitators, and educators, required clarity and alignment on the Center’s goals and offerings.

  • Strategic Messaging Development:

    • Positioning the Center as a Thought Leader: Refreshed messaging communicated the Center’s focus on setting standards in OBC practices, supporting equity in education, and achieving significant outcomes for students.

    • Center vs. Model Distinction: Created clarity by developing narratives that clearly distinguished the Center as a resource hub, industry leader, and driving force behind the OBC model’s application in educational contexts.

    • Stakeholder Engagement and Internal Training: Shared messaging frameworks and conducted internal toolkits and resources to ensure all team members could communicate the new vision effectively.

    Brand Identity Creation:

    • Visual and Digital Assets: Delivered a new logo, color palette, and typography that modernized the Center’s look while maintaining alignment with SEF’s broader mission and aesthetics.

    • Digital Transformation: Worked closely with the client’s web developer to update the website to showcase the Center’s new brand and mission, and developed digital collateral including social media content and graphics, email templates, press release, and a launch blog to ensure consistent, engaging, and visually compelling outreach.

    Comprehensive Launch Strategy:

    • Media Engagement and Coverage: Partnered with journalists, arranged interviews, and planned exclusive feature coverage, including press releases and thought leadership articles, to position the Center as a leader in outcomes based contracting in K-12 education.

    • Event Integration: Officially launched the rebrand at the Center’s annual convening and provider summit, including keynote announcements and interactive sessions with educational leaders to reinforce the Center’s goals.

    • Enhanced Brand Recognition: The rebrand solidified the Center for OBC’s position as the industry leader in outcomes based contracting, receiving widespread attention at the convening and securing key media placements.

    • Stakeholder Alignment: Stakeholders across SEF, educational institutions, and media were aligned with the new mission, establishing a solid foundation for the Center’s future impact.

    • Increased Engagement: The streamlined messaging and branding positioned the Center as a premier resource, with early feedback showing heightened interest from educators and potential partners in learning more about the Center’s offerings.

Amplifying Engagement and Alignment for KIPP Texas’s Multi-Year Plan

Through strategic messaging, multi-channel engagement, and robust support for KIPP Texas’s leadership and staff, SMJ Communications helped to launch the Multi-Year Strategic Plan with clarity, alignment, and sustained enthusiasm. The successful rollout reinforced KIPP Texas’s commitment to educational excellence and paved the way for continued growth and impact, creating a solid foundation for the MYP’s long-term success.

  • KIPP Texas partnered with SMJ Communications to design and execute a communications plan for their Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYP). The goal was to foster active engagement and transparent communication, ensuring alignment with the MYP’s objectives across KIPP Texas’s internal leadership, staff, families, and broader stakeholders. Throughout our partnership, SMJ Communications developed a comprehensive suite of assets and strategic plans to ensure that each stakeholder understood, supported, and engaged with the MYP’s vision for the organization.

    • Complex Stakeholder Needs: KIPP Texas required buy-in across a diverse group of stakeholders, including internal leadership, educators, families, and external partners.

    • Ensuring Consistent Communication: Aligning leadership and staff to consistently share the MYP’s goals and updates, despite time constraints and varied messaging channels.

    • Sustaining Engagement Over Time: Keeping the MYP top-of-mind with regular updates and opportunities for feedback and adaptation throughout the plan’s implementation.

  • Multi-Channel Communication and Visual Strategy

    • Multi-Year Communications Assets: SMJ created more than 20 communications assets, including a roadmap, email templates, one-pagers, and visual materials, all designed to ensure MYP messaging was clear, consistent, and accessible.

    • Coordinated Launch Strategy: We rolled out the MYP across multiple channels, including KIPP Texas’s website, intranet, email, and social media. This approach ensured that all stakeholders had access to MYP resources and could engage with the plan in real time.

    • Resource Hub for MYP Materials: SMJ provided recommendations for KIPP Texas’s IT and web teams to create a dedicated intranet section for MYP updates and resources, centralizing access to materials and ensuring continuous engagement.


    Ongoing Engagement and Feedback Mechanisms

    • Structured Update Cadence: We established a timeline for regular updates, including monthly internal memos and quarterly “One Song” communications, maintaining momentum and providing transparency throughout the implementation phases.

    • Interactive Feedback Opportunities: SMJ provided resources for KIPP Texas to plan and host Q&A sessions, workshops, and feedback forums, where stakeholders could share insights and questions about MYP implementation, fostering a collaborative approach to the rollout.

    • Events Integration: KIPP Texas leveraged key events, including the annual “Team and Family Reunion,” as touchpoints to reinforce the MYP, share updates, and build excitement around the plan.

    • Enhanced Stakeholder Buy-In: Through tailored messaging and regular updates, SMJ fostered a culture of alignment and support for the MYP, empowering stakeholders across KIPP Texas to understand, contribute to, and advocate for the plan.

    • Improved Communication Consistency: With toolkits and templates in place, KIPP Texas leadership shared unified messages across departments, ensuring that all communications consistently reflected the MYP’s goals.

    • Sustained Engagement and Transparency: Our comprehensive engagement approach, combined with centralized resources, strengthened trust among KIPP Texas’s community, supporting a smoother implementation of the MYP.

Establishing Communications Systems and Processes for the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)

Through strategic planning and systems design, SMJ Communications helped the NAFCC build a streamlined communications infrastructure that increased efficiency, consistency, and engagement. By creating a request workflow, a yearlong content calendar, and tailored messaging guidelines, we helped NAFCC communicate more consistently and effectively. The result is a scalable, audience-centered framework that strengthens connections with members and stakeholders.

  • Over the past two years, SMJ Communications has partnered with the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) to build and streamline a comprehensive communications infrastructure. The goal was to enhance efficiency, establish clarity, and ensure consistent, high-quality messaging across multiple platforms to better engage NAFCC’s members, stakeholders, and broader audiences.

    • Fragmented Processes: NAFCC’s communications lacked a centralized system for requests, approvals, and execution, leading to inconsistencies and inefficiencies.

    • Inconsistent Cadence: There was no clear schedule or guidelines for regular communications, resulting in missed opportunities for engagement.

    • Audience Alignment: Messages were not always tailored to specific audiences, reducing the impact of NAFCC’s outreach.

    • Consistency Across Materials: Ensuring consistent brand representation across all communications to strengthen recognition and trust.

    • Engagement with Key Audiences: The school aimed to build connections with prospective families, students, and community partners, requiring a communications strategy that resonated on a deep, personal level.

  • System Development

    • Designed and implemented a Communications Submission Request System to streamline how updates, announcements, and requests flow through the organization.

    • Introduced an approval workflow to ensure timely responses and alignment with NAFCC’s goals and messaging.


    Establishing a Consistent Cadence

    • Developed a 12-Month Communications Calendar to provide a clear schedule for recurring content, including:

      • Monthly Blog: Insights on industry trends and organizational updates.

      • On the Move Blog: Highlighting NAFCC’s advocacy work and public appearances.

      • Monthly Newsletter: A roundup of key updates and resources for members.

      • Membership Memo: Targeted communications addressing specific needs and interests of NAFCC members.

      • Social Media Content: Regular posts to inform, inspire, and engage across platforms.


    Clarity in Guidelines

    • Created Communications Guidelines to define the purpose, audience, and content focus for each type of communication. This included:

      • Key topics and updates to prioritize.

      • Tailored messaging frameworks for different audiences (e.g., members, policymakers, educators).

      • Best practices for tone, frequency, and format.


    Capacity Building

    • Helped train and onboard communications staff to ensure the NAFCC team could effectively utilize the new systems and adhere to the established guidelines.

    • Provided ongoing support for content development and strategic communications planning.

    • Streamlined Processes: The new communications submission system has improved efficiency and reduced turnaround times for requests.

    • Consistency and Clarity: A predictable cadence of high-quality communications has strengthened NAFCC’s relationships with members and stakeholders.

    • Enhanced Engagement: Tailored messaging and a clear structure have increased engagement across platforms, fostering a stronger sense of community and trust.

    • Future-Ready Infrastructure: The communications calendar and guidelines provide a solid foundation for sustained growth and adaptability.

Building a Clear, Compelling Brand Identity for Unparalleled Prep

Through strategic messaging and a comprehensive visual brand update, SMJ Communications empowered Unparalleled Prep to communicate its mission effectively, attract prospective students, and strengthen its reputation as an innovative, student-centered educational institution. The partnership resulted in a well-defined brand identity that resonates with the community and underscores Unparalleled Prep’s commitment to accessible, impactful education.

  • Unparalleled Prep, an innovative educational institution focused on accessibility, legacy, and intergenerational excellence, partnered with SMJ Communications to refine its brand identity and messaging. Our goal was to create a brand experience that conveyed Unparalleled Prep’s distinct approach to education—emphasizing student-centered growth, upward mobility, and academic excellence in a joyful, welcoming tone.

    • Defining a Unique Brand Voice: Unparalleled Prep needed messaging that would clearly communicate its unique position as a forward-thinking educational provider distinct from traditional models.

    • Consistency Across Materials: Ensuring consistent brand representation across all communications to strengthen recognition and trust.

    • Engagement with Key Audiences: The school aimed to build connections with prospective families, students, and community partners, requiring a communications strategy that resonated on a deep, personal level.

  • Strategic Messaging Development

    • Brand Identity and Messaging Framework: SMJ Communications crafted messaging that encapsulated Unparalleled Prep’s dedication to student achievement and upward mobility. The messaging highlighted values of joy, warmth, professionalism, and inclusivity, positioning Unparalleled Prep as both an academically rigorous and welcoming institution.

    • Tone and Language Guide: We created a messaging guide that balanced warmth and professionalism, including examples, do’s and don’ts, and brand-aligned language to support consistent communication.

    Visual Brand Toolkit

    • Expanded Color Palette and Iconography: The visual identity was updated to reflect a vibrant, joyful spirit, incorporating a broadened color palette and refined icons that symbolized growth, upward mobility, and community.

    • Consistent Templates and Branding: SMJ developed branded templates for letters, one-pagers, and Google Docs, ensuring all internal and external documents were cohesive and easily recognizable.


    Digital and Website Strategy

    • Website Audit and Recommendations: SMJ conducted a thorough website audit to enhance the platform’s user experience, aligning content with Unparalleled Prep’s mission and branding. We provided actionable insights to better showcase the school’s evolving programs, success stories, and unique offerings.

    • Enhanced Brand Recognition: Unparalleled Prep’s new brand identity and messaging resonated strongly with its target audiences, establishing a clearer, more consistent brand presence across all materials.

    • Stakeholder Engagement: The refined messaging and visual branding helped engage families, students, and community partners, fostering trust and alignment with Unparalleled Prep’s mission.

    • Streamlined Communications: With new templates and a cohesive brand guide, Unparalleled Prep’s communications were streamlined, supporting professionalism and efficiency across the board.

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But, don’t just take our word for our it.

"The customer service that SMJ provides is top tier."-Kimberly Dukes, Atlanta Thrive

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"SMJ Communications provided strategic communications planning and guidance for many of our most important programs and partners. Their ability to understand our audiences and tailor creative communications strategies and messaging was key in driving awareness about our mission. They were as engrained in our organization as members of our staff. I hope to work with SMJ in the future."-Tamara Grider, KABOOM!

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"The team is highly responsive, they are service oriented, and they deliver quality work products. We appreciate their support!"-Indrina Kanth, Rocky Mountain Prep

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"It has been a joy to partner with SMJ Communications to produce strategic, high-quality communications for our organization. Their diligence and commitment to our organization was second to none. I highly recommend SMJ Communications to boost your organization’s reach and quality of service."-Marco Carbajal, IDEA Public Schools

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"SMJ has provided a seamless process for us and continues to exemplify first class service."-Akeem Brown, Essence Prep

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"The customer service that SMJ provides is top tier."-Kimberly Dukes, Atlanta Thrive • "SMJ Communications provided strategic communications planning and guidance for many of our most important programs and partners. Their ability to understand our audiences and tailor creative communications strategies and messaging was key in driving awareness about our mission. They were as engrained in our organization as members of our staff. I hope to work with SMJ in the future."-Tamara Grider, KABOOM! • "The team is highly responsive, they are service oriented, and they deliver quality work products. We appreciate their support!"-Indrina Kanth, Rocky Mountain Prep • "It has been a joy to partner with SMJ Communications to produce strategic, high-quality communications for our organization. Their diligence and commitment to our organization was second to none. I highly recommend SMJ Communications to boost your organization’s reach and quality of service."-Marco Carbajal, IDEA Public Schools • "SMJ has provided a seamless process for us and continues to exemplify first class service."-Akeem Brown, Essence Prep •