Bryson Gillette, a Black-owned, diverse strategic communications firm based in the District and California founded in 2020, announced the launch of Bryson Gillette Advocacy (BG Advocacy), an independent arm that focuses on government advocacy and public affairs.
“Bryson Gillette was founded to fight for a more equitable and just world alongside values-aligned clients,” said Bill Burton, Bryson Gillette founder and former deputy press secretary and special assistant to President Obama. “We have moved the needle on some of the biggest challenges of our time—from child safety and education to technology and climate change—while prioritizing intentional diversity in an industry where it is often lacking. By adding an additional lever of change, we will continue this tradition in an even more impactful way.”
Damara Catlett, a two-decade professional with experience in campaign strategy, grassroots advocacy, lobbying and consulting, will head BG Advocacy and work alongside Bryson Gillette’s team of political operatives, public affairs experts, and communications strategists.
BG Advocacy will combine the relationships and experience of Burton and other senior staff, in partnership with industry veteran Catlett, strengthening existing and new clients’ influence and impact. The two firms working together will be uniquely positioned to create multi-faceted government affairs and communications campaigns to help clients succeed. The organization will work to build relationships with members of Congress, the White House, federal agencies and other third-party stakeholders and decision-makers.
The services and strategies offered to clients include direct lobbying, third party engagement, policy and strategic communications and issue and policy campaigns.
“At a time in our country when long settled policy and civil rights battles are reopening all around us, I’m excited to build a team uniquely positioned for the political and policy fights ahead of us,” said Catlett, who will hold the title of executive vice president and principal of BG Advocacy. “In this landscape, the attacks are sophisticated and traditional tactics alone are insufficient. We must adopt creative approaches to meet the moment.”
