Finding the Heart of Your Brand Story: How Kamilla’s Journey Helped Raise $300K for The Carying Place
When it comes to crafting a powerful brand story, the right character can make all the difference. A great example is Kamilla Wright, whose journey from homelessness to homeownership inspired a room full of people to donate $308,000 to The Carying Place at their recent fundraiser. As a storyteller, it’s moments like this that remind me how impactful stories can be.
With years of experience as a broadcast journalist, I’ve seen firsthand how the right story can move people to action. At The Carying Place, we helped tell Kamilla’s story—a single mother and school teacher who overcame homelessness, with the support of this non-profit. By working together with the charity leadership to select her as the focus, we crafted a narrative that resonated deeply with the audience.
Behind the Scenes at the The Carying Place shoot. We interviewed Kamilla at West Cary Middle School where she works as a school teacher.
What to Look for in a Character for Your Brand Story:
Here are the top three qualities you should consider when choosing a character for your brand story:
Authenticity: People connect with real stories. Kamilla’s authenticity as a hard-working mom striving for a better life immediately drew people in. Look for someone whose experiences and emotions are genuine.
Relatability: A character that mirrors the experiences of your audience creates a strong connection. Kamilla’s role as a teacher and mother made her relatable to many in the room, fostering empathy and understanding.
Transformation: A compelling story involves change. Kamilla’s journey from homelessness to homeownership embodied hope and transformation, a key element that inspires action.
Why This Matters
Whether you’re working with a non-profit or a corporate brand, the character at the heart of your story should embody the values and vision of your organization. Their journey can captivate, inspire, and ultimately move your audience to take meaningful action—just as Kamilla’s story did at Prestonwood Country Club.
Your Story
Are you ready to discover the hero of your brand story? Let’s connect and find that person who can spark change, just like Kamilla did for The Carying Place. Check out the video we produced and learn more about how storytelling can elevate your brand's impact.
I’m incredibly proud to use my background in journalism to tell these stories that make a difference in our community. Here’s to more stories for good!