Meet Rashanah Baldwin
Rashanah is a social architect, accomplished broadcast journalist, public affairs professional, and founder of Baldwin Media Group. This boutique consultancy firm specializes in external affairs, public relations, strategic planning, media relations, and community engagement strategy. Her leadership has driven impactful public relations campaigns and advanced advocacy issues, particularly in underserved communities across Chicago.
Previously, Rashanah was a senior advisor for AVOQ (formerly Kivvit), where she excelled in messaging, communication strategy, media relations, crisis communication, and community engagement. She spent three years as a project manager at Bloomberg Associates, overseeing a portfolio of projects across nine government focus areas. In this role, she managed risk mitigation, tracked progress, and ensured successful implementation. She also built strong relationships with local project partners and senior City of Chicago staff while serving as the direct liaison between Bloomberg Associates, the Mayor’s Office, and city agencies. Earlier roles included communications coordinator for Illinois Lieutenant Governor Julianna Stratton, where she led efforts for the Justice Equity Opportunity (J.E.O.) initiative, and a strategist at Rudd Resources, focusing on media campaigns and community outreach.
Rashanah’s commitment to community revitalization and access to quality housing is reflected in her service as chair of Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago’s Metro Board. She is also a neighborhood strategy advisor with NHS Chicago, and her ability to establish partnerships and leverage her extensive network has allowed her to make a meaningful impact on Chicago communities.
Rashanah’s work has been featured in the New York Times Best-Selling book Broadcasting Happiness and the best-selling book The Future of Happiness. She has also been featured in local PBS documentaries, including WTTW’s “South Side” documentary, on the front cover of the Chicago Tribune, and in national news outlets like the Huffington Post.
Fun Facts
- Rashanah is academically well-qualified, holding a B.A. in Mass Communications from the University of Illinois-Chicago and an M.A. in Journalism from DePaul University.
- She is active on boards with Growing Home Inc., NHS Chicago, The Reporter’s Inc., Chicago Public Media’s Sound Board and Women In Planning and Development.
- Running marathons, traveling to new countries, and trying new vegan recipes.
- Featured in the New York Times bestseller “Broadcasting Happiness.” and the best-selling book “The Future of Happiness.”
- Enjoys doing her podcast, “Someone You Need To Know,” where she interviews change agents.