News & Insights
Photo courtesy of: Greg Land
How B&D enhances community engagement in Prince George’s County’s Blueprint Schools Program
Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) in Maryland had a remarkable year of major public events in 2024, celebrating significant milestones in its Blueprint Schools Program. The year included the grand opening of the final school from Phase I, Colin Powell Academy, as well as groundbreaking ceremonies for four of the eight Phase II schools. These events underscored the county’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art learning environments and fostering strong community engagement. Brailsford & Dunlavey’s Communications and Public Engagement (CPE) team played a crucial role in ensuring these milestones were celebrated seamlessly and inclusively, reinforcing public support and advocacy for the program.
The Blueprint Schools Program: a model of innovation
The Blueprint Schools Program is a groundbreaking public-private partnership (P3) designed to accelerate the modernization of schools in Prince George’s County. This innovative financing model allows for the rapid delivery of high-quality educational facilities while leveraging private-sector expertise and efficiency. Since 2019, B&D’s Communications and Public Engagement (CPE) team has established rigorous standards, including processes, procedures, and methodologies, for milestone events like groundbreaking ceremonies and ribbon cuttings. These events are designed to amplify the unique voice of the school community, integrating student representation through speakers, performers, and tour ambassadors to foster deeper engagement and authenticity. Leading up to these celebratory moments, the team also manages various forms of community engagement, ensuring transparency, alignment with PGCPS priorities, and consistent oversight of the program’s communication standards.
Building awareness and advocacy
Beyond event planning, the CPE team is responsible for developing and implementing a broader range of communication and engagement activities and standards. At the onset of this exciting program, the team recognized the need for brand recognition and created the Blueprint Schools Program’s brand to align closely with PGCPS’s identity. This included branding the Alternative Construction Finance (ACF) initiative as the PGCPS Blueprint Schools Program, defining its identity, and developing its logo, color palette, and core messaging. The team also authored the program’s comprehensive communications plan, ensuring consistency and longevity in messaging throughout the program’s lifetime.
The CPE team successfully coordinated and executed six groundbreaking and six ribbon-cutting ceremonies for Phase I schools. They also developed a bi-annual community meeting schedule with a detailed preparation and coordination process, now adopted by the Department of Capital Programs (DCP). The team provided standards and methodologies for forming and implementing Project Planning Committees, developed a streamlined process for coordinating quarterly Steering Committee reports and meetings (which they continue to oversee), and created a user-friendly, comprehensive website for the program that remains updated alongside the rest of the DCP website. The team also developed a suite of communication templates that continue to support Phase II efforts.
“Every event and engagement activity is a powerful opportunity to inspire and cultivate meaningful relationships amongst our clients and the communities they serve,” said CPE team member Brittney Bennett. “We create experiences that celebrate milestones and foster a lasting sense of pride and ownership among students, educators, and families. Representing B&D in this effort is incredibly rewarding as it ensures communities feel heard and included.”
Looking ahead to more milestones
As Phase II progresses, additional groundbreaking ceremonies and ribbon cuttings will mark new milestones in educational infrastructure. The CPE team has meticulously prepared the selected Phase II developer to execute these events successfully, ensuring the same high standards of communication, engagement, and advocacy that have defined the program from the beginning. B&D remains dedicated to supporting PGCPS and similar clients in delivering impactful, community-centered educational initiatives.
Brittney Bennett is a Communications & Public Engagement Specialist at B&D, where she supports major implementation programs on both coasts. Since joining B&D in 2018, she has played a key role in developing communication strategies, managing brand initiatives, and planning large-scale public events. She also specializes in creating and managing client-focused websites that enhance program visibility and community engagement. Brittney holds a bachelor’s degree in Chinese and a certificate in French Language and Literature from the University of Maryland, as well as a master’s in Applied Intelligence from Georgetown University. She can be reached at bbennett@bdconnect.com.
