Armstrong Creative Consulting, Inc. (A.C.C.) is a communications firm we love!

Implementing faith-based strategies for corporate, not-for-profit, political, and government organizations, owner, and CEO, Da-Venya Armstrong, has been an M Network partner since our firm began almost 20 years ago. So, she was an obvious choice when we were choosing our changemakers. Using keen insight into cross-cultural public awareness campaigns, Da-Venya and her team stay committed to putting the community first through their long-standing relationship with clergy. As a result, many of our clients are better for her work!

M At Work sat down with Da-Venya to highlight the importance of engaging the faith-based community in public outreach.

Armstrong worked in radio at WMBM, a gospel radio station. She kept seeing pastors and advertisers trying to do business, not realizing that they needed to be doing business at a higher level. In 1999, Da-Venya established A.C.C.to be the catalyst helping the faith-based community with their outreach.

“I just thought there is a void there, there is a void there. That was the beginning.” Da-Venya added, “I always say a Fortune500 company does business at a certain level. Churches should be doing business at an even higher level because I believe they are working for a higher authority.”

A “40 Under 40 Black Leader of Today and Tomorrow” by Legacy Magazine, Da-Venya has grown A.C.C into one of the fastest-growing, minority-owned, and operated businesses in South Florida.

“I am not a lifestyle consultant. You won’t find me doing jazz concerts, big racing events, or things like that. I want to live a meaningful life, add value, and create access for communities that wouldn’t necessarily have that access.”

Serving people and remaining human-centered is at the core of A.C.C., one of the only agencies in Florida specializing in faith-based outreach. A.C.C. has transcended boundaries from the Muslim community to the Jewish community and the Black church. So we asked Da-Venya how she found her niche?

“This is home for me, and it’s an area or arena that I was familiar with, having great relationships with pastors in this town… having worked with organizations such as The M Network and others gave me an opportunity to show you that we can get inroads to said communities. That also laid the foundation for me to expand the faith base… because faith transcends and allowed me to say I want to be more than the Black church.”

A.C.C. also partners with The M Network for The Homeless Trust’s Homeless Awareness Day, but this issue lies close to Da-Venya’s heart. Her older sister battled cervical cancer while homeless and living in her car.

“It started with my older sister being homeless at the time. Thom approached me, and we started working on this project. If it hit my sister – and we share the same blood – same mom, same dad, it could happen to anyone, and I want to be an individual bringing resources to help other people find their way.”

“As long as I believe I have breath in my body and very fond memories of my sister, the work we get to do on behalf of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust is very significant.”

A key to communicating in the faith-based community is AUTHENTICITY. Would you agree?

“I think that is key, and right next to that is being transparent. Right? I pride myself on being very transparent. Who you see is who you get.”

“Being authentic, being transparent, being passionate, being purposeful- those are the bricks upon which my and my company’s foundation are built.”

Is the power of engaging the faith-based community ever underestimated?

“I think the church of yesterday is undoubtedly different from the church today. But I think it will always have a place in the equation…

I believe you have your trusted messenger and the right relationships with said gatekeepers. In addition to the church, you look to civic and social organizations, which are just as important…

It is about meeting people where they are and understanding the differences, if you will, that change and growth and all of that has to happen.

I can deliver, and I love being the church lady.”

In what ways do you want to see A.C.C. growing?

“Wanting to expand or enhance the brand ambassador and street team arm of Armstrong Creative Consulting. That is a lot of where I want to put more energy…

I am a people person, which makes me a fine candidate for the work I get to do in, around, and through this community. I am so grateful that people entrust this to my company because I love people.”

To learn more about Da-Venya Armstrong’s A.C.C., Click here or follow A.C.C. on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.