Chelsea Fuller
Managing Partner/Senior Strategist

Chelsea Fuller (she/her) is the Senior Strategist and Managing Partner of Black Alder LLC and the Co-executive Director of Black Alder Labs (c3). A journalist and media researcher, narrative scientist and movement strategist, Chelsea’s work sits at the intersection of narrative, media and social justice movements.For more than a decade, Chelsea Fuller has held significant communications and narrative leadership roles across the progressive left, including a stint as the Interim Senior Director of Communications at Movement for Black Lives, the Vice President of Communications at TIME'S UP and Deputy Director of Communications at Blackbird. Known for her work inside of The Movement for Black Lives, The “me too” Movement and other formations working to end systemic violence, Chelsea has led countless successful campaigns and messaging strategies, effectively shifting national and international narratives around central issues like race, white supremacy, patriarchal violence and community safety. 

As a journalist and media advocate, Chelsea’s highly-regarded for her work in helping journalists and media managers adjust their reporting of systemic issues–work that has ultimately led to more accurate, nuanced and authentic coverage of issues impacting the most vulnerable including sexual violence, the criminalization of Black children and police violence. This August, Black Alder Labs released a first-of-its kind report, The Cost of the Story, a two-part national research study highlighting the impact that reporting on racialized and gender-based violence has on the reporters and the communities holding the stories. 

Chelsea brings a wealth of experience, as well as deep-trusted relationships with media, business and community leaders around the globe. She has successfully placed stories in the likes of the New York Times, The Washington Post, Teen Vogue, Yahoo Business, Vanity Fair, Refinery 29, The Root, Essence, the Associated Press and others. She’s advised dozens of organizations and companies, including Twitter, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, The National Urban League, SEIU, Dignity and Power Now, Argent, the Highlander Center, and the Working Families Party. Chelsea holds a BA in News Editorial Journalism and Africana Studies from West Virginia University and an MA in Strategic Communications and Social Justice Advocacy from American University.

Takara T. Pierce
Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Takara (she/her) is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Black Alder and a senior media, narrative, and communications strategist with deep expertise in shaping public-facing voice, positioning leaders, and translating complex ideas into language that moves audiences. Her work sits at the intersection of narrative power, strategy, and execution, helping individuals and organizations clarify what they stand for and how they are understood. Takara is known for her ability to build narrative frameworks that support long-term vision while delivering precise, responsive messaging in fast-moving environments. She served as Communications Director for the Dream Defenders during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and the racial reckoning of 2020, leading high-stakes communications amid national scrutiny and rapid political shifts.

Her skill set includes ghostwriting, thought leader positioning, speechwriting, message architecture, and spokesperson development, with a particular focus on ensuring public voice remains disciplined, credible, and aligned with strategy. Over the course of her career, Takara has led high-impact communications, media, and digital strategies and campaigns that have shaped national conversations and driven measurable outcomes. In addition to campaign and organizational work, Takara regularly advises executives, public figures, authors, and creatives on voice development, public positioning, and long-form storytelling, supporting leaders navigating growth, visibility, and high-stakes moments. Takara began her career in higher education communications at The Ohio State University’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and public relations and two master’s degrees in communications.