Prepared September 2026A proposal from Pearl Gabel / Grit Strategies LLC
Storytelling, brand voice, and a community narrative built for the Count Basie Center’s defining moment.
Read the proposalThe opportunity
William Basie was born in Red Bank. He left, got stranded in Kansas City, and built something so good it came home to the streets he grew up on.
His piano style was spare. While other bandleaders filled every bar, he played less than anyone else and left more room for feeling. Basie trusted the rhythm and let the space do the work.
The Center that carries his name has a rhythm section: the community programs, the student performers, the free music camp, the little girl playing flute for the first time. The question is whether enough people can hear it.
The Basie is at an inflection point. The centennial is the best storytelling opportunity you’ll have in a generation, and the window is 12 to 18 months. If the story gets told well, it builds the ambassador base, earns the media and grassroots attention that follows great content, and makes the case for the Basie’s community role.
I’ve done this in journalism and in government with no budget, and I’ve done it at agencies for organizations with large ones. The work I’m proudest of was always the scrappy kind that’s made fast, made by hand, authentic, built to last. Heart beats head every time.
The engagement
A focused brand sprint followed by ongoing collaboration—organizing and producing great content consistently, with the voice that makes it land.
Month one
Before anything goes out, we research and inventory what you have and who you are—through one-on-one interviews, historical assets, owned channels, and calendar reviews.
A clear picture of what you’re sitting on, what to prioritize, and where to point the camera first.
What it covers
Month two
We hit go—developing the brand voice, content architecture, and editorial calendar that carry the centennial across every channel. The goal is a system your team can run, not a campaign that ends when the consultant leaves.
An ownable voice and repeatable content system built to carry the centennial forward.
What it covers
Month three onward
Once the system is running, we hit our marks when and if we need them. We’re scrappy, quick on our feet, and really, really good—offering check-ins, real-time feedback, and a sharp eye before content goes out.
Senior-level guidance without the weight—or cost—of a big film crew or agency.
What it covers
Content creation does not include production costs, additional crew members, or media buying. These can be priced separately as needed.
Proof of approach
These sample videos were made entirely from existing Instagram footage—an example of how strong editing and a clear point of view can turn an existing archive into fresh, resonant storytelling.
Videos play silently by default. Select the sound icon to listen.
Investment
Brand sprint · Months one and two
$5,000 / month
Ongoing advisory · Month three onward
$2,500 / month