Frisby & Associates Celebrates Triumph of Vital Strategies' Campaign to Save Lives

The dedicated efforts of Frisby & Associates have led to significant achievements in the domain of health advocacy. Recently, the firm joined in congratulating Vital Strategies and its partners for their remarkable recognition at the 2025 Anthem Awards, where they garnered three silver awards in prestigious categories: Non-Profit Campaign (Health), National Awareness Campaign (Health), and Community Engagement (Health). This initiative, titled 'You Have the Power to Save Lives', focused primarily on addressing the alarming rates of drug overdoses in Black communities.

Michael K. Frisby, the President of Frisby & Associates, expressed immense pride in being part of this impactful campaign. He commended the considerable contributions of Vital Strategies, a global health organization, and the Elton John AIDS Foundation, highlighting their commitment to tackling the devastating repercussions of drug abuse.

Frisby noted, "These esteemed organizations recognized the urgent need for action and assembled an exceptional team of experts. Together, they executed a comprehensive community-driven campaign across seven cities, ultimately saving lives and fostering hope."

The Power of Real Stories

Central to the campaign's success were compelling real-life narratives that aimed to inspire change and galvanize action. The media outreach executed by Frisby & Associates amplified the voices of bereaved individuals like Kimberly Douglas, whose advocacy for harm reduction services was fueled by the loss of her son to an overdose. Her story exemplified the struggle that many families face and advocated for the increased availability of naloxone in Black communities.

Another highlighted individual, Tahira Malik, transformed her life from a history of drug use and incarceration to establishing Samad's House in Milwaukee, where she provides advice on preventing overdose deaths. Sandy Arnold’s journey also resonated powerfully; overcoming 20 years of addiction, she has become a certified peer specialist and recovery coach based in Detroit, offering hope and guidance to others.

These impactful testimonies were pivotal in urging city administrations to enhance access to naloxone and instilling a belief in the possibility of recovery and change among drug users. Despite the initiative's progress in promoting harm reduction services, Mr. Frisby underscored the lingering disparities within Black communities regarding overdose deaths, despite similar usage rates compared to other demographics. The campaign aims to foster safer environments for drug use as a means of empowering individuals in their recovery journeys.

A Collaborative Effort

Frisby publicly acknowledged the extensive team effort behind this campaign, which included Gregory Moore and Jennifer Clancy from Klowtify, Hazel Edney from the Trice Edney Newswire, Emil Hill from The Creshiem Group, Jason Edmonds from Website Technology, and Renée E. Warren-Mebane from Arielle-Wren, Inc. He emphasized the effectiveness of targeting media consumed by African Americans as well as engaging with influential civic and political figures, further pushing for the expansion of harm reduction programs in vulnerable communities.

Daliah Heller, Vice President for Overdose Prevention Initiatives at Vital Strategies, also praised the dedicated work carried out by Frisby Associates and other consultants. She credited the collaboration with organizations like the National Black Harm Reduction Network, which served as a community advisor throughout the initiative, fostering a community-centric approach.

Heller stated, "Vital Strategies sincerely appreciates the hard work and dedication of everyone involved, which not only led to these accolades but is also making a measurable difference in communities all over the country."

Campaign Impact

Launched between March and June, the campaign primarily targeted cities grappling with high overdose rates in Black communities such as Louisville, Durham, Milwaukee, Newark, Albuquerque, Philadelphia, and Detroit. The multifaceted strategy encompassed tailored media outreach, strategic advertising, video testimonials, and the cultivation of social media assets, with support from local organizations and government bodies.

To date, the campaign has achieved over 32 million impressions, nearly 1.5 million views of campaign videos, and a multitude of media mentions nationwide, showcasing its extensive reach and significant impact. This initiative serves not only as a testament to the collective power of community advocacy but also as a vital reminder of the ongoing need for support, awareness, and education in battling the drug epidemic.

For more detailed insights about the campaign, please visit this link.

About Frisby & Associates

Frisby & Associates is a formidable team dedicated to aiding clients in achieving their objectives. With deep-rooted expertise in policy and political maneuvers across various sectors, the team comprises individuals with backgrounds in leading newsrooms and high-level public official roles. They are steeped in experience and committed to enhancing public awareness on crucial issues.