What is "CitySquare"?

When people see our new brand, they always ask, "What is CitySquare?" 

Of course, that is exactly the question a good brand prompts!  And, we are all very eager to talk about the meaning back of the new image, as well as the work out in front of it. 

One helpful way to understand CitySquare is to contextualize it, to put it in various places. 

So, clearly, CitySquare is. . .

. . .a gathering place for the community.

. . .a place of inclusion where everyone is welcome.

. . .a place where the various institutions of a community intersect.

. . .a place where everyone can be heard, known and respected.

. . .a place of community resources and equal access and opportunity.

. . .a place into which the values and priorities of life and faith can be spoken and lived out.

. . .a place for planning and mobilization.

. . .a place for service and action.

. . .a place for working out just solutions to tough challenges.

. . .a place where things are "squared up," reconciled and made right.

. . .a place where hard questions can be asked and plans formulated for providing satisfying answers.

This is CitySquare!

I am CitySquare: Our Manifesto

I am a CORNERSTONE,
the tried, true, solid BUILDING BLOCK of a better life, of a better city, of a better future.

I am a GATHERING PLACE,
the RALLYING point for a community that cares for its own.

I am a DOER,
a HAMMER that smashes the cycle of homelessness.
For a life spiraling down, I am a NEW TRAJECTORY.
For a heart given to hopelessness, I am a RESET BUTTON.

I am VISIONARY.
I see wealth of opportunity where others see only lack of money.

I am PRAGMATIC,
the embodiment of action, the image of optimism, and the picture of perseverance.
Though I answer a high calling, my feet are firmly on the ground.

I am COURAGEOUS.
I am not afraid to raise my voice, raise some dust, or raise a stink.

I am a GOOD NEIGHBOR,
a FRIEND who lends a hand, not a stranger who gives a handout.

I am STUBBORN,
intolerant of naysayers, impatient with pessimism, and indifferent to obstacles.

I am the DOOR to a better life,
the PATH to a better job,
the LADDER up from despair to dignity.

I am a FIGHTER,
and I never, never, never give up.

I am NOURISHMENT.
I am HEALTH.
I am HOPE.

I am CITYSQUARE.

CitySquare arrives!

We have a new name!

I suppose an obvious question might be, "Why?"

First, a bit of history. 

We began in 1988 with "Central Dallas Food Pantry." 

As our work in the community expanded far beyond food, and as we prepared for our next steps into the future, that first name yielded to "Central Dallas Ministries." 

So, now we've reached another one of those important moments. 

The further expansion of our work prompted the latest "brand" change.  We are no longer just "central." 

Nor are we only Dallas--our reach new extends across the Metroplex and into San Antonio, Austin and the 19-county North Texas region. 

The word "ministries" continues to confuse people in a couple of ways. 

We aren't a church, though some think we are, while others wish we were!  We have never used our work/resources as hooks to proselytize, though others fear we might on the basis of that one very loaded word. 

Clearly, the time is ripe for a new name. 

CitySquare.

The name begs exactly the right question, "Interesting.  What does that mean?"

We worked with world renowned ad agency, The Richards Group here in Dallas for over a year on the new name (at cut-rate, non-profit prices, I hasten to add!).  The marketing pros inside this amazing company led us through their "spherical branding" process with great care and the occasional, thoughtful challenge. 

The final product of our hard work:  our new brand promise.

Our "brand vision" is clear:  changing the trajectory of people's lives. 

Our brand positions us as the right organization for people who want to help "the poor" because at CitySquare we partner with people to see improvement in their lives and ours. 

We discovered our "brand personality":  compassionate, gritty and fiercely committed. 

Our brand affiliation will attract people who want in the fight against poverty. 

CitySquare.

We are in the middle of the community. 

The space we occupy is an inviting place. 

We seek partners around the square.  Our space seeks to be completely inclusive--everyone is welcome, all are invited to join us on the CitySquare!

In fact, the change we seek, the values we speak cannot be realized without full  participation around the CitySquare.

And, we intend to "square things up," to reconcile relationships and rules for the sake of equity and justice.  We want to make things right wherever we do our work. 

Our new logo communicates the presence of many individuals, numerous efforts and varied groups, all independent, yet assembled with their combined energy focused on the center of the common square, dedicated to the hard work of community renewal.

Welcome to our new identity:  CitySquare!

Branding. . .

Today, just about an hour ago actually, we "rolled out" a new name and brand identity for our organization to our team. 

The "internal roll out" and celebration today comes before the public roll out on Monday, an activity that will last all day.  We'll begin with an interesting advocacy action in Downtown Dallas on Monday at 7 a.m. and we'll end with a celebration at "A Night to Remember 2010" at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center during the Kirk Franklin concert.  

I can't reveal the new name or logo. . .not until next week. 

But, today was a precious moment in the history of our evolving and growing team of community builders.  We've been working on this project for 18 months with The Richards Group here in Dallas.  And now, the time for birth arrives!  It's been a fascinating project. 

Our staff showed up in full force and we had a celebration!  Everyone loved the new colors, the bold concept and the captivating logo. 

Our work, our values, our faith and our commitment to compassion and justice in the face of growing poverty has not changed.  Our new brand simply provides us a more accurate and effective tool for communicating our story. 

Stay tuned.  More to come! 

Talking with Kirk. . .

What follows are various snippets of our conversation with Kirk Franklin during his tour of Roseland Homes earlier this week.  Franklin will perform in Central Dallas Ministries' annual benefit concert, A Night to Remember on Monday, October 25 at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in the Downtown Dallas Arts District. 

Kirk's quotes provides real insights into the heart and soul of the man. 

Enjoy what he says. Then, go to www.ANTRDallas.com and purchase your tickets for the big night!

"Glad to be a part of “a name that is respected in the community like this ministry."

In thinking about the concert:: “Honor to be here and to stand on stage and hopefully put some money on some great causes.”

“I’m not coming as an outsider to the community. The vision of what you’re doing has always been close to my family and my heart. It was programs like this…that gave survival to me.”

“If there had been programs more like this in the 70s and 80s, some of my friends wouldn’t have gotten so lost.”

“People who get their hands dirty are my heroes”

“This is organically me – this is natural me” (on taking the time to hang out at Roseland).

“I’m a product of ministries like these”

“This is hood-born and hood-survived” (about himself).

“What these people are doing is human. And to not do it is inhuman…I’m just here today to be human” (speaking about our organization).
“I’m excited to stand on stage and do something that has long-term value. It’s not just a concert that brings in some money.”

Hearing from CDM, asking to participate in our ANTR event was “just one of those divine phone calls.”

“It’s like a praise party with a purpose” (the concert).

“If any person has any name recognition, they need to realize that recognition was given for a cause” (on using his celebrity to partner with organizations).

"Now, go buy your tickets!"--a quote from Larry James!

Branding great housing. . .

WinshipPhillips helps Central Dallas Ministries and Central Dallas Community Development Corporation with media, communications, graphics and branding.

Great company!

Great partners!

If you need a crack graphics firm, contact me and I will put you in touch with Ken and Becky Phillips, the principals.

But, here's the deal today.

I have posted several logos they have developed for our CityWalk @Akard project in Downtown Dallas.

CityWalk @Akard will be developed into 209 apartment units, 200 of which will be affordable, with 50 set aside for formerly homeless persons. Nine of the units will be market rate.

CDM will also occupy the third floor with our administrative offices, LAW Center and CDC.

The first two floors will be occupied by our tenant services/concierge group, a leasing office, light retail and office space for outside companies wishing to office Downtown. I'm happy to report that negotiations are underway presently with several companies interested in moving into our retail and office space.

What I'd like to know right now is which logo do you like best? The color schemes could change, so don't worry about that, just the design.

Please take a moment and cast your vote! Review the logos with the one at the top being #1 and descending through #4 at the bottom. I would love to hear from as many of you as possible on this one!