Strengthening Advocacy Through Strategic Communications

Vanguard partnered with the MacArthur Justice Center to amplify its fight for real solutions to the problems with our criminal legal system. For 40 years, MJC has sought to vindicate individual rights, hold people with power accountable, and demand real reform.

Our work included media strategy, brand development, and training to equip staff and lift up community voices. We conducted a media landscape analysis, mapped key story areas, and refreshed the organization’s brand kit with updated colors, templates and iconography. We also delivered spokesperson and media training sessions to strengthen organizational messaging. Our collaboration helped ready the organization for a new wave of high-profile cases as MJC expanded their work with and for communities affected by institutional racism and oppression during a pivotal time in our nation.

For example, Vanguard also supported MJC’s high-profile legal advocacy for immigrants’ rights, including media strategy around a petition for courthouse sanctuary spaces and an emergency class action lawsuit challenging inhumane ICE facility conditions. The lawsuit resulted in a favorable ruling and extensive coverage in major outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post and CNN, positioning MJC as a leading voice for justice.