Notations WINTER 2016
Ifill/ DoubleBack Global Group is an award-winning strategic communications consultancy firm that specializes in cultural communications and historic preservation. Founded in 2002, DoubleBack is a woman and minorityowned firm based in Washington, DC. We plan, produce and preserve cultural and historic experiences for individuals, companies and organizations. In short, we work to make sure the world knows that HISTORY MATTERS. With a dynamic team, we help our clients make history. DBGG is known for its reliability and attention to detail which the clients require in such a crowded space that requires a mission-driven entity to get attention and to stay on track.
In 2015, Adrena Ifill Blagburn received the J. Franklin Jameson Archival Advocacy Award, presented by the Society of American Archivists at their annual conference. The award honors an individual, institution, or organization that promotes greater public awareness, appreciation, or support of archival activities or programs. “[Ifill Blagburn] possess a unique combination of passion, vision, and perseverance, which makes her an inspiring colleague, teacher, and advocate,” one supporter wrote. Established in 1989, the award is named for the noted American historian J. Franklin Jameson.
Services • Cultural Heritage Preservation
Adrena Ifill Blagburn is CEO of Ifill/ DoubleBack Global Group. Starting this entrepreneurial venture was due in part to the inspiration and enthusiasm for history passed down by her parents.
• Archives and Digitization • Marketing and Media Management • Event Production • Program Management
What is your legacy? As you write your new year’s resolutions or prepare for your family reunion this summer, make sure to archive your work, document your family lore and preserve what means the most to you. If you want to get a kick start – call us, we will give you some easy steps to make sure you can double back and preserve your legacy for generations to come.
To say 2015 was remarkable is an understatement! As I gathered materials to produce this publication, I was struck by the places that I went and the people that impacted me. Several times, I had to double back, check names and memories of the inspirational encounters and marvel at the knowledge acquired. Now that 2016 has started, I want to take this opportunity to celebrate the last 13 years as CEO of DoubleBack and the last 10 years as Project Director of Avoice: African American Voices in Congress (a project of the CBCF). One of the best parts of my job is working with superior clients Amazing people at outstanding organizations and firmsthat are doing incredible work! Over the years, we have laughed, collaborated, disagreed and celebrated the development of ventures such as the Women in STEM conference in South Africa, landmark congressional history portal and an eye-catching local history on display (DC Archives). So what’s next? Call us - we can help make your 2016 historic! Ifill/DoubleBack Global Group will continue to bring creativity to cultural heritage presentation, resourcefulness to program management, savvy direction to media relations and marketing and innovation to major event productions.
Make history every day!
Adrena
WINTER 2016
A DOUBLEBACK GLOBAL GROUP PUBLICATION | 1
Cultural Heritage Preservation v Our team worked for over four years on the AKA sorority’s archives – digitizing its publications and the organization’s records plus writing biographies of its 100+ year leadership. Located at the Moorland Spingarn Research Center, we were honored to be hired to make sure this history is preserved, using technology and capturing oral histories. (Note: We love Moorland!)
v During my trip to SAA in Cleveland, I visited one of our archival partners - the Western Reserve Historical Society. Our team has worked with them for many years, accessing documents from the Louis Stokes Collection. This year, I visited a day after his passing and was moved to see some items including his desk – what a way to celebrate the life & legacy of former Rep. Louis Stokes (OH).
v Our team is made of experts who love to learn. Yearly, we attend and speak at seminars and conferences to keep on top of emerging technologies and hear from scholars and leaders in the field. Professional Development = Research, Reading, Relating.
2 | A DOUBLEBACK GLOBAL GROUP PUBLICATION
WINTER 2016
Rep. James Clyburn (SC) Avoice Student Workshop 2014
Women’s History Month 2015 - SEIU
r Lessons from History: Since completing my documentary on Congressman Robert Smalls in 2006, I have had the honored to speak around the world on the important lessons he left us. For Black History Month 2015, I spoke to GAO and it was such fun. We watched a segment from the movie and then talked about leadership. A topic that is always timely.
Avoice Team = Priceless!
Program Management Since 2007, we have recruited high school students from around the region (and from Texas!) to attend the annual Avoice Student Workshop that takes place during CBCF’s Annual Legislative Conference. We listened to teachers when they requested meaningful lesson plans that were culturally relevant and interactive. We developed the lessons to be inter-disciplinary and primary document based. Starting in 2009, we partnered with the National Archives to provide a full-day event that included lunch and a tour of the Archives. Now there is a waiting list! One year a local Girl Scout group earned their Avoice patch by participating!
WINTER 2016
A DOUBLEBACK GLOBAL GROUP PUBLICATION | 3
v Sassywater Holiday
Party – DoubleBack co-hosted a book signing, Vintage Black Glamour, with author Nichelle Gainer, at the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Design Center.
Event Production
r A holiday event with a historic twist! DoubleBack worked with the St. Regis Washington DC to add to its legacy tour of the historic property. We researched important African-American history associated with the hotel and discovered an amazing fact. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a really beautiful speech on the creation of the Gandhi Society for Human Rights (of which he was the original chairman) at the St. Regis Washington DC to a roster of honorary guests that included Jacob Javits, Clifford Case and Hubert Humphrey. The speech was significant as it was delivered on May 17, 1962, eight years after the Brown v. Board of Education decision. Glad that Dr. Neil Parsan, former Ambassador to Trinidad & Tobago, could join us for the evening.
4 | A DOUBLEBACK GLOBAL GROUP PUBLICATION
WINTER 2016
r DoubleBack organized a private tour of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Donning hard hats, we climbed the stairs to see every inch of this beautiful structure.
What’s Your Story: An Archival Pairing – DoubleBack created a personal archiving workshop and piloted r it during the summer of 2015. People regularly ask me about how to develop a personal archive and even what should they save. This workshop offers tools for a person or a family to do at home to preserve personal histories for generations to come.
DoubleBack worked with CBCF to bring historic elements to the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.
r The annual Avoice Heritage Celebration grew to become a signature event during Black History Month. Working with an amazing team, Heritage was reborn at CBCF to toast organizations, corporations, and former CBC members who acted in the spirit of Avoice prioritizing historic preservation. From honoring Joellen Elbashir, the dedicated manuscript curator at Moorland-Spingarn, to Stevie Wonder, musician/activist and supporter of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday bill, to the Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library to Rep. Barbara Jordan’s archives at Texas Southern University to Time Warner – the Avoice Heritage Celebration was heartwarming and executed each year with a special something developed by DoubleBack!
WINTER 2016
A DOUBLEBACK GLOBAL GROUP PUBLICATION | 5
Marketing & Media Management For the DC Archives, DoubleBack researched and designed a traveling display that described the significance of the DC’s Home Rule Act of 1973. This exhibit celebrated the legislation’s 40th anniversary. If you see it in a school, library or DC government building, take picture, tweet it and send it to us! #historymatters
Video Production for ASALH Need video? We can do!
6 | A DOUBLEBACK GLOBAL GROUP PUBLICATION
WINTER 2016
Listen and Learn: For Avoice, we developed an oral history initiative, capturing the lives and achievements of current and former members of Congress in their own words and about their former colleagues. Avoice in Action takes an issue like Criminal Justice and sits down with a current member to discuss the impact of the CBC on the legislative history. Each year the CBCF interns attended and ranked it as one of their favorite activities.
DST/Howard University ADVANCE-IT Women in STEM Conference (South Africa) – DoubleBack led the media team for the conference. Working with the South Africa’s Department of Technology, we pitched stories and secured interviews for the US delegation. #RootedinSTEM
WINTER 2016
A DOUBLEBACK GLOBAL GROUP PUBLICATION | 7
First Person: I witnessed the swearing in of the largest membership of the Congressional Black Caucus in history!
From My Personal Archive
r I met an icon from the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs & Freedom - Edith Lee-Payne. She
attended my presentation at the National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference, November 2015 I was invited to the White House’s Black History Month program by an amazing colleague and friend. r
8 | A DOUBLEBACK GLOBAL GROUP PUBLICATION
WINTER 2016
With attention to detail and a significant amount of patience and persistence, DBGG’s passionate team of learners and solvers work with clients to develop audiences, create legacies and share mission-driven stories.
www.doublebackproductions.com FB: /www.facebook.com/DoubleBackProductions/ Twitter: @doublebackprod Contact: eassistant@doublebackproductions.com
NAICS CODES
541618 Other Management Consulting Services 512110 Video Production 561920 Convention & Trade Show Coordination 541613 Marketing Consulting Services 541611 Administrative and General Management Consulting Services 541720 Research & Development in the Social Sciences & Humanities
Creating historic experiences and preserving priceless treasures