Gadsden County BOCC
Category: Strategic Consulting, Videography
Summary: Our work with the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners reflects a deep commitment to authentic storytelling and public service communication. Across multiple projects, from recruitment campaigns to historical documentary work, we have helped the county engage residents, elevate underrepresented stories, and create meaningful content that serves both immediate needs and long-term community legacy.
Firefighters
Recruitment
Campaign
Issue: Gadsden County needed to increase volunteer firefighter recruitment, particularly in rural communities where staffing shortages impacted emergency response times. Traditional outreach was not resonating with younger and working-age residents.
Approach: We produced a series of cinematic recruitment videos designed to humanize the role of volunteer firefighters and spotlight the power of community service. The storytelling centered on purpose, pride, and impact, supported by engaging visuals, authentic interviews, and a strong call-to-action aligned with the county’s messaging.
Results: The video helped modernize the county’s recruitment messaging and was widely shared across social media and community networks. It provided the county’s first high-quality, public-facing recruitment asset that could be used for ongoing volunteer outreach.
Remembering the 18
Lake Talquin 18: Gadsden County partnered with me to authentically document and preserve the story of the 1964 Lake Talquin tragedy, where 19 children lost their lives during a Sunday school outing. The project required a careful balance of historical accuracy, emotional depth, and community trust to ensure the story was told with dignity and respect.
I directed and produced the documentary by blending personal interviews, archival materials, and present-day location footage to create a narrative that honored the lives lost while highlighting resilience, healing, and legacy within the community. As the son of the lone survivor, I approached the film with a deeply personal connection, ensuring the storytelling remained thoughtful, honest, and rooted in lived experience.
The completed documentary was featured as part of Gadsden County’s Black History Month programming and published through official county channels. The film received significant media attention, generating widespread interest beyond the county, including statewide news coverage and multiple requests for use by organizations and institutions across Florida. It now stands as a lasting historical record, strengthening cultural preservation efforts while extending the reach of this important story to audiences far beyond the local community.