THE WORK
Three samples submitted in response to the Manager of Communications & Engagement opportunity at the Mississippi Early Learning Alliance.
SAMPLE A
WRITING
Thought Leadership / Long-Form Essay
"The Film Industry Is Shifting. Mississippi Has An Opportunity To Build Now"Cultured Powered by RED SQUARED — 2026
Goal: To translate a complex, data-heavy policy and industry question into an accessible public argument — and use a cultural moment to advance a strategic conversation about workforce development in Mississippi.
My role: Sole author. Conceived, reported, and written independently as part of my ongoing thought leadership practice at RED SQUARED.
Outcome: Published to RED SQUARED's subscriber base and extended network of partners, funders, and collaborators across the state. The piece showcases the same approach I'd bring to MELA's coalition communications and that is taking complicated systemic questions and making them legible and urgent for a general audience.
→ Also see: Press Release (sole author) · Full Communications Plan (co-author)
SAMPLE B
VISUAL & DESIGN
Brand System & Campaign Visual Identity
The Defenders — Visual Identity, Social Graphics & Campaign Design RED SQUARED — 2022
Goal: To build a complete visual identity system for a short documentary on civil rights lawyers in Mississippi — one that could travel across film festival circuits, institutional placements, and digital platforms while remaining rooted in the film's subject matter and tone.
My role: Creative director and art director on the full visual system, developed in collaboration with RED SQUARED's graphic designer. Directed all design decisions including typography, color, motion graphics, and social asset architecture.
Outcome: We expected a film that could be used as an education tool for museum staff after it reintroduced the world to lesser know civil rights leaders of the community. The film premiered at the Morehouse College Human Rights Film Festival, where it won Best Short Documentary, and went on to screen at the March on Washington Film Festival, Oxford Film Festival, Jackson Film Festival, and additional venues. The visual system traveled with it.
SAMPLE C
CAMPAIGN
Statewide Public Health Campaign
"I Got It!" — The Jackson Heart Study COVID-19 Vaccine Campaign RED SQUARED for The Jackson Heart Study — 2021
Goal: To build vaccine confidence among Black Mississippians during the COVID-19 pandemic through a culturally grounded, multi-channel statewide campaign primarily countering misinformation by centering trusted community voices rather than institutional ones.
My role: Lead strategist and creative director on all campaign elements, including brand development, video production, media planning, and community engagement strategy. The campaign spanned radio, statewide TV, billboards, digital ads, print, social media, and a dedicated campaign website.
Outcome: We expected a statewide awareness campaign with potential modest gains in vaccine hesitancy range but what we got was a campaign that contributed to Mississippi achieving a 49% COVID-19 vaccination rate among Black residents, surpassing the national average of 37%. It was formally recognized by the Biden Administration's White House Task Force for its effectiveness in reaching Black communities.
Thank you for reading and considering my work.
Questions about any of these samples? Reach out at roderickred@gmail.com. More of my work lives at roderickred.com
Roderick Red
roderickred@gmail.com| 601-953-6124 | www.roderickred.com