TéMaTé Institute for Black Dance and Culture

Opportunity

TéMaTé Institute for Black Dance and Culture was entering a critical growth phase, aiming to increase attendance for its annual Convening while also strengthening year-round visibility, institutional credibility, and community engagement. The challenge was translating deep cultural significance into accessible, mass storytelling without losing integrity, while coordinating earned media, grassroots outreach, and internal communications within a tight timeline.

Strategy

Ki Takeaways Communications developed an integrated communications strategy that combined:

  • Media relations and narrative framing

  • Grassroots and community-based outreach

  • Internal messaging alignment for staff, board, funders, and partners

  • Conversion-focused audience engagement tactics

A community-first approach ensured cultural depth remained intact while expanding reach beyond traditional arts audiences.

Execution

  • Created a cohesive media messaging framework

  • Wrote and distributed press releases

  • Updated media kit and event assets

  • Audited and optimized event landing page for clarity and conversion

  • Pitched targeted local and regional media

  • Developed and executed Heroes Week, offering special recognition and pricing for first responders and healthcare workers

  • Led newsletter strategy, text messaging outreach, and event calendar submissions

  • Created internal outreach templates for staff and board-led amplification

  • Coordinated influencer and community partner activation

  • Provided on-site media coordination and support

Impact

Earned Media

  • 26 media placements

  • 87,522,648 earned media impressions

Community Impact

  • Strong attendance driven by grassroots networks

  • Expanded awareness beyond dance audiences into:

    • Arts & culture enthusiasts

    • Educators

    • Community leaders

    • Institutional partners

  • Reinforced TéMaTé’s role as a cultural authority in Detroit

Services Provided: Public relations, messaging strategy, media relations, community outreach, internal communications, conversion strategy, on-site support