Everything we do is by design.
Umber + Onyx is a strategic communications agency partnering with leaders and institutions navigating moments that carry weight.
We work where language, leadership, and culture meet—by design—because communication is never just messaging. It shapes trust. It signals priorities. It reveals what an institution truly values.
In high-stakes moments, clarity must be built—not improvised. We design communication that is grounded, aligned, and steady under pressure.
We believe communication is never neutral. It shapes culture. It signals leadership. It determines whether change builds trust—or erodes it. In defining moments, clarity isn’t cosmetic. It’s foundational.
We partner with your team to communicate on purpose.
Our work is intentionally rooted in five pillars: Structure, Systems, Story, Strategy, and Stewardship.
Whether guiding executive messaging, navigating change, or shaping campaigns and brand activations, we ensure alignment between what leaders say, how organizations operate, and the culture they are cultivating.
Our experience spans academia, corporate enterprise, nonprofit organizations, and faith-based institutions. That breadth gives us range, and range only matters when it is grounded in discernment.
About Us
Our Mission
To elevate communication as a leadership practice—and close the equity gap in who gets heard, funded, followed, and understood.
Our Vision
A world where strategic communications is as resourced, respected, and rigorously designed as any external campaign.
Our Values
1
Language is Power
We use words to shape perception, set tone, and move people.
2
Design Drives Impact
Everything we build is structured, intentional, and aligned.
3
Culture is Context
We lead with nuance, history, and lived experience.
4
Operations Are Voice
We turn communication into a repeatable, reliable system.
5
Equity is Essential
We position comms as a driver of both value and visibility.
6
Presence Leads
We move with clarity, calm, and earned authority.