Building Community Trust Through Design and Early Literacy Advocacy
Challenge
Literacy Roundup was created to address one of the most important predictors of long-term academic success: early literacy. Led by the City of Fort Worth in partnership with Go Beyond Grades and the Sid W. Richardson Foundation, the initiative provides free literacy screenings, educational resources, and support for families throughout the community.
As the program expanded its reach, it needed a cohesive visual identity and communication system capable of building awareness, establishing trust, and encouraging participation among parents, caregivers, educators, and community partners.
The challenge was creating communications that felt approachable and welcoming while reinforcing the credibility and importance of the program’s mission.
Strategy
Because Literacy Roundup serves families navigating sensitive educational concerns, every communication needed to be clear, supportive, and easy to understand.
My approach focused on developing a consistent visual language that balanced professionalism with accessibility. The goal was to create materials that informed without overwhelming, encouraged action without creating anxiety, and reinforced confidence in the resources being provided.
The design strategy centered on three key principles:
- Accessibility through clear communication
- Consistency across all community touchpoints
- Trust-building through thoughtful design
Execution
I developed and designed a broad range of marketing and communication materials supporting Literacy Roundup and Literacy Fort Worth initiatives.
Deliverables included:
- Brochures and informational materials
- Event collateral
- Flyers and promotional materials
- Business cards
- Email campaigns and e-blasts
- Social media graphics
- Community outreach materials
- Program support communications
Each piece was designed to work as part of a larger brand ecosystem, ensuring families encountered a consistent experience regardless of where they interacted with the program.
Special attention was given to information hierarchy, readability, and accessibility to ensure resources could be easily understood by diverse audiences throughout the community.
Results
The Literacy Roundup initiative continues to play an important role in supporting literacy outcomes across Fort Worth.
In 2025 alone, the program screened approximately 400 students for dyslexia through community centers and public libraries across the city, helping families identify potential learning challenges early and connect with valuable support resources.
The communications system helped:
- Strengthen awareness of literacy screening opportunities
- Create a consistent and recognizable community presence
- Support outreach efforts across multiple locations and audiences
- Reinforce trust among parents, caregivers, and community partners
- Advance the mission of improving literacy outcomes for Fort Worth youth
By combining strategic communication with thoughtful design, Literacy Roundup’s materials became more than promotional pieces—they became tools for connection, education, and advocacy.
The project demonstrates how design can support meaningful social impact by helping organizations communicate clearly, build trust, and empower communities through access to information and opportunity.