Communications Associate

Overview

The Black School is seeking a creative, mission-aligned Communications Associate to lead and execute storytelling across digital platforms (Instagram, Tik Tok, Linked In, and frequent email newsletters). We are an organization that merges art, design, and education. The ideal candidate is a strong writer, possesses a strong aesthetic sense and design knowledge, visually fluent, deeply engaged in BIPOC cultural spaces, and excited to amplify community-powered art and education.

Position is intended to be full time, but will start with a 3 month contractual period. Candidates should be New Orleans based. Position is intended to work from The Black Schoolhouse following the completion of construction; est. mid-2026. Your day-to-day will be filled with art, community, energetic youth, and purpose.

The Communications Associate will be responsible for maintaining The Black School’s public voice across internal, external communications and social media platforms including Instagram and Tik Tok. This role is critical to keeping our community informed, engaged, and inspired and applicants should feel comfortable interfacing with our local and neighborhood-specific communities. This position is divided into two tiers that clarify the minimum and ideal responsibilities/skills needed to ensure success in this role.

(by tier)

Tier I

• Collaborating with leadership to refine a single communications guide as the primary source for organization-wide language
• Document and archive standard operating procedures for each recurring post and newsletter format.
• Manage content and editorial calendars for effective promotion of The Black School’s programs, events, public programs, and campaigns
• Coordinate internal communications timeline and support external events with Managing Director, Program Manager, TBS Studio and Fundraising team, ( i.e. dates, calendar, storytelling, content, and posts).

Monthly:

• Craft and distribute the “School News Newsletter” with updates and announcements to our national list via Mailchimp and Action Network.

Bi-Weekly:
Post two of the following five content pillars each week in alignment with departmental

• Fundraising:
  We Fund Us or Brick promotion and donor spotlights.
• Design Studio:
  Promote client-facing services and past work.
• Historical/Educational Posts:
  Black Radical History or organizing.
• Organization Updates:
  Construction updates or general TBS news.
• Shop Posts:
  Launch releases or sales promotions.

Quarterly:

• We Fund Us Quarterly Newsletter:
  Behind the Scenes content and impact

Occasional:
The following tasks are estimated to become more frequent once we’re in The Black Schoolhouse

• Local New Orleans Email Blasts:
  Promotion of select local events and resource opportunities.
• To evolve towards focusing heavily on local events and resources opportunities that are happening within or related to the Schoolhouse.
• Special Dates, Plan and execute posts that connect to culturally significant dates on the organizational calendar (e.g. bell hooks’ birthday, Black August, etc.)

• Build hyper-local awareness through flyering and in-person marketing initiatives in the 7th ward neighborhood of New Orleans.
• Engage directly with followers and amplify community members
• Build hyper-local awareness through flyering and in-person marketing initiatives in the 7th ward neighborhood of New Orleans.

• Guide the management and development of a cohesive, multi-platform, and metrics-based social media strategy with community growth in mind. Promote knowledge building and engagement across The Black School’s social media platforms, including Instagram, Tik Tok, and Linked In.
• Establish trackable metrics. Increase online engagement to serve programmatic and fundraising goals, and inform The Black School’s use of traditional, non-traditional, and digital media.
• Strategically create and execute a thoughtful media relations strategy (in alignment with our national PR strategy) designed to increase press coverage on a local and regional level based on campaign or program.