Nasaiah Algarin

Strategic Communications Fellow

Washington, DC

My Role at SBOE

At the DC State Board of Education, I bridge the gap between policy and people. My work focuses on making complex education policy accessible and engaging for DC families across all 8 wards.

I lead communications strategy, visual design, and bilingual outreach efforts, ensuring that every student, parent, and community member can understand and engage with the decisions that shape DC education.

What Drives Me

Education is the great equalizer, but only when people can access and understand it. Too often, education policy feels distant and bureaucratic to the families it's meant to serve.

I believe in the power of clear communication and thoughtful design to break down those barriers and build trust between institutions and communities.

Skills & Expertise

Policy Communication Visual Design Brand Strategy Social Media Management Bilingual Outreach Copywriting Stakeholder Engagement Campaign Development Data Visualization Community Relations

Tools & Software

CoSchedule Asana Gantt Charts WordPress Canva InkScape Adobe Photoshop Premiere Pro Google Workspace Microsoft Office

"Every DC student deserves an education system that sees them, supports them, and communicates with them in ways they can understand and trust."

This Portfolio

This portfolio showcases my work in three key areas: policy writing and commentary, social media campaigns and graphic design, and comprehensive brand development.

Each piece represents my commitment to making education policy accessible, engaging, and impactful for DC families.

Let's Connect

Interested in collaborating or learning more about my work? I'm always open to conversations about education communications, policy outreach, and community engagement strategies.

LinkedIn Personal Email Work Email

My Team at SBOE

While we serve all Board representatives and the DC community, here is my direct reporting structure and the team I work with daily.

I Report Directly To

Andrew Roof
Public Information Officer

Dr. Darren Fleischer
Senior Policy Manager & Fellowship Coordinator

I Work Alongside

Mastura Ibnat
Administrative & Operations Fellow

Taylor Spriggs
Policy Fellow

Broader Team

Bernice Butler
Executive Director

Jen Briones
Deputy Director of Policy & Research

Haley Steed
Policy Analyst

Rhoma Battle
Budget & Operations Officer

Katy Mincoff
Administrative Support Specialist

Ian Fernando
Procurement Analyst

Muriel Cooper
Human Resources Specialist

Explore My Work

See how strategic communications can transform education policy engagement.

Publications

Blogs, Press Releases, and Policy Commentary

Press releases and analysis on education policy issues affecting DC students, from career readiness to restorative practices to supporting students with disabilities.

Campaigns & Content

Social Media, Graphic Design, and Campaign Strategy

Multi-platform social media graphics and copy across Instagram, LinkedIn, Bluesky, Facebook, and X/Twitter, designed to engage DC families and highlight education stories, staff, and history.

#PowerOfMath Campaign

Math Standards Promotion

Visual campaign supporting the math education policy article, highlighting why math pathways matter for DC students.

Black History Month 2026

Celebrating 100 Years

A month-long campaign honoring Black educators, historians, and leaders who shaped DC schools.

Student Engagement

Elevating Student Voice

Promoting op-eds and SEE Committee events with bilingual outreach to reach all DC families.

Campaign Strategy

Pitch Decks & Strategic Proposals

Developing campaign pitch decks and strategic proposals for Board-level social media campaigns, from audience research and content calendars to visual direction and platform strategy.

Brand Identity Proposal

DC State Board of Education • 2026

A visual language rooted in Washington DC's geography, culture, and civic spirit, designed to elevate education policy and empower every student to rise.

The Foundation

A Brand Built on Place & Purpose

Every element of this visual identity is intentional—drawn from the rivers, neighborhoods, and civic soul of Washington, DC. These aren't arbitrary colors; they're symbols of our commitment to nearly 100,000 students across all 8 wards.

Why We Needed a New Visual Language

The DC State Board of Education operates at the intersection of policy and people. We present testimony at formal government hearings, but we also hold town halls in community centers across the city. Our previous visual identity—anchored by the DC flag's bold red—served us well for official contexts, but felt aggressive in digital spaces and didn't allow for the nuance our communications require.

We needed a system that could feel authoritative in a legislative hearing and welcoming at a community conversation. One that honored DC's heritage while speaking to the future our students are building. One that worked as well on a mobile screen as on a letterhead.

The Design Philosophy

Grounded but forward-looking. Our primary colors anchor us in DC's governmental and geographical identity—the deep slates of federal buildings, the blues of our rivers. Our accent colors speak to growth, warmth, and possibility.

Flexible but cohesive. The gradient system allows us to shift tone: formal Authority gradients for official documents, energetic Sunrise gradients for student spotlights—while always feeling unmistakably SBOE.

Named with intention. Every color name references something specific to Washington, DC. Capitol Slate. Potomac. Anacostia. Cherry Blossom. When our team uses these colors, they're reminded of who we serve and where we serve them.

From Red to Coral: Honoring Heritage While Evolving

The DC flag's three red stars and two red bars are iconic. We didn't want to abandon that connection—but pure red (#FF0000 or similar) creates problems: it reads as "error" in digital interfaces, feels aggressive in large applications, and limits our design flexibility.

DC Coral (#D4736C) maintains the warmth and energy of red while being more versatile. It's still recognizably connected to our city's identity, but it plays well with our blue foundation and allows for sophisticated gradient transitions. It says "DC pride" without shouting.

Primary Palette

The Four Pillars

Each primary color carries meaning and history. Together, they represent the full scope of SBOE's mission—from governmental authority to student empowerment.

#1E3048

Capitol Slate

Named for the U.S. Capitol Building

The deep blue-gray of federal architecture at dusk. This color anchors our identity in governmental authority—the weight of policy, the permanence of institutions, the trust that comes from stability.

When to Use

Primary headers, navigation bars, official documents, anywhere you need to establish credibility and trust.

#3D6B8A

Ward Blue

Named for DC's 8 Wards

DC is divided into 8 wards, each with its own character, challenges, and strengths. Ward Blue represents our commitment to serving every neighborhood—a warmer, more approachable civic blue.

When to Use

Secondary buttons, links, interactive elements, community-focused content.

#D4736C

DC Coral

Evolution of the DC Flag Red

The DC flag's red represents heritage and pride. DC Coral carries that legacy forward—softened for modern contexts but still warm with the passion and energy of our city.

When to Use

Calls-to-action, important highlights, accent elements, heritage moments.

#7CC5D9

Rising Teal

Students Rising to Their Potential

"Rising" is deliberate. This color represents our students—their potential, their growth, their futures lifting off. It's bright but not childish, optimistic but not naive.

When to Use

Student-focused content, success stories, data highlights, celebrations.

Supporting Palette

Depth & Nuance

Supporting colors extend our range for gradients, illustrations, and layered designs. Each is named for a DC landmark or symbol.

#2A4A6B

Potomac

The River That Connects

The Potomac River connects DC to the broader region. This color sits between Capitol Slate and Ward Blue, creating smooth transitions—the color of depth and connection.

When to Use

Gradient midpoints, background layers, illustration depth.

#5A8BA8

Anacostia

The River & The Community

The Anacostia River runs through DC's historically underserved communities—Wards 7 and 8. This color honors our commitment to equity and reaching every student, especially those East of the River.

When to Use

Interactive states (hover, focus), secondary buttons, Bridge gradient transitions.

#E8A49E

Cherry Blossom

DC's Iconic Spring Symbol

DC's cherry blossoms represent renewal, beauty, and our city's unique character. This extends DC Coral into softer territory—for celebrations, achievements, and gentle moments.

When to Use

Soft accents, celebratory content, success indicators, gradient endpoints.

#A8DBE8

Horizon

What Students See Ahead

The horizon is possibility—what our students look toward. This light, airy teal is unapologetically optimistic. It says "the future is bright."

When to Use

Light accents, tags, badges, data visualization highlights.

Background System

Tints for Every Context

Subtle background tints help organize content and carry semantic meaning.

#EEF4F7

Ward Tint

Cool, neutral background for policy documents and professional content. Signals: "This is official information."

#FAF0EF

Coral Tint

Warm, welcoming background for community stories and engagement content. Signals: "This is about people."

#EEF8FA

Rising Tint

Fresh, energetic background for student spotlights and success stories. Signals: "This is about growth."

Gradient System

Color in Motion

Gradients express mood and create visual hierarchy. Each is designed for specific emotional contexts.

Authority

Capitol Slate → Ward Blue

Official & Formal

The most formal gradient. Use for official documents, policy headers, and board meeting materials. Both colors are blues—institutional strength without warmth.

Heritage

Capitol Slate → Potomac → DC Coral

Our Signature Gradient

THE SBOE gradient. Bridges governmental authority through connection to community warmth. Use for hero sections and major brand moments. It tells our whole story in one sweep.

Ocean Depth

Capitol Slate → Ward Blue → Rising Teal

Trust to Action

Moves from deep institutional trust into energetic action. Great for educational content that builds toward student outcomes—start grounded, end optimistic.

Bridge

Ward Blue → Anacostia → DC Coral

Policy Meets Community

Literally "bridges" civic policy (blue) to community heart (coral), passing through Anacostia. Use for content connecting SBOE's work to real community impact.

Civic Flow

Ward Blue → Rising Teal

Engagement & Energy

A cooler, energetic gradient for civic engagement. Both colors are in the blue-teal family—cohesive but with movement. Use for public meetings and calls for participation.

Warm Coral

DC Coral → Cherry Blossom

Celebration & Heart

The warmest gradient—no blues. Use sparingly for genuinely celebratory moments: graduation, awards, recognition. It centers human connection and achievement.

Sunrise

Rising Teal → Horizon → DC Coral

New Beginnings

Like a DC sunrise over the Potomac. Use for new initiatives, school year beginnings, and content about students' futures. It's dawn, hope, and what comes next.

Spectrum

Full Brand Journey

Complete Identity

The entire SBOE color story. Reserve for special occasions: annual reports, major announcements. It's the full expression of who we are.

Decorative Elements

Gradient Lines

Gradient lines add polish and separate content sections. Each carries the same emotional weight as its parent gradient.

Authority Line

For official documents and formal section breaks.

Heritage Line

Our signature divider. Use for major section transitions.

Bridge Line

Connects policy sections to community stories.

Civic Line

For engagement-focused and interactive content.

Spectrum Line

Full brand expression. Reserve for special moments.

Animated Flow Line

For digital headers. Adds life—use sparingly.

Typography

Voice Through Type

Typography carries as much meaning as color. Our type system balances governmental authority with human approachability.

Why Poppins + Montserrat?

Poppins has geometric confidence without feeling cold. Its rounded terminals feel modern and approachable—important for an organization serving families and students who may feel intimidated by government communications.

Montserrat was originally designed for urban signage, making it exceptionally readable at any size. For an organization that produces everything from one-page summaries to 50-page reports, readability matters.

Together, these fonts feel both governmental and human. They say "we're an official institution" and "we're here to help you" simultaneously.

Poppins — Display Headlines

Every Student Rising

Bold (700) weight. Sizes 32px+. For moments that stop the scroll.

Poppins — Section Headers

Policy Leadership for DC Schools

SemiBold (600) weight. Sizes 20-28px. Clear hierarchy.

Montserrat — Body Copy

The DC State Board of Education provides policy leadership, advocacy, and oversight to ensure every student receives the high-quality education they deserve.

Regular (400) weight. Sizes 16-18px. Optimized for reading.

Logo System

Flexible & Consistent

Our logo works across all contexts. Each color variant is designed for specific background situations.

Logo Usage Principles

Contrast is king. The logo must always be clearly legible. On light backgrounds, use dark variants. On dark or gradient backgrounds, use white.

Checkered = transparency. The checkered background indicates transparent areas—important for layering over photos or gradients.

Colored logos carry meaning. Capitol Slate says "official." Rising Teal says "student-focused." Choose based on content tone, not just aesthetics.

Square Format — Primary Use

Black

Print, B&W documents

White

Dark & gradient backgrounds

Capitol Slate

Primary branded use

Ward Blue

Community content

DC Coral

Heritage emphasis

Rising Teal

Student-focused content

On Heritage

Signature brand application

On Authority

Official contexts

On Ocean

Educational content

Original Red

Legacy reference

Rectangle Format — Horizontal Applications

Black Rectangle

Letterhead, documents

White Rectangle

Dark headers, nav bars

Capitol Slate

Primary branded use

On Heritage

Website headers

On Bridge

Community headers

On Spectrum

Special occasions

SBOE Mark — Compact Applications

Black Mark

Favicons

White Mark

Dark backgrounds

On Heritage

Social icons

On Spectrum

Special events

On Rising Teal

Student content

On DC Coral

Community icons

Implementation

Quick Reference

Copy and paste into CSS, Figma, Canva, or any design tool.

Color Variables

/* Primary */ --capitol-slate: #1E3048; --ward-blue: #3D6B8A; --dc-coral: #D4736C; --rising-teal: #7CC5D9; /* Supporting */ --potomac: #2A4A6B; --anacostia: #5A8BA8; --cherry-blossom: #E8A49E; --horizon: #A8DBE8; /* Tints */ --ward-tint: #EEF4F7; --coral-tint: #FAF0EF; --rising-tint: #EEF8FA;

Gradient Definitions

/* Authority */ linear-gradient(135deg, #1E3048, #3D6B8A) /* Heritage */ linear-gradient(135deg, #1E3048, #2A4A6B 40%, #D4736C) /* Ocean Depth */ linear-gradient(135deg, #1E3048, #3D6B8A 50%, #7CC5D9) /* Bridge */ linear-gradient(90deg, #3D6B8A, #5A8BA8 50%, #D4736C) /* Spectrum */ linear-gradient(90deg, #1E3048, #3D6B8A 25%, #7CC5D9 50%, #D4736C 75%, #E8A49E)

Brand Assets

Icon Downloads

Download official SBOE logos and icons in high-quality transparent PNG or scalable SVG format. Every variant is optimized for professional use.

PNG Highest Quality

Transparent background, perfect for documents, presentations, and digital media. Maximum resolution for crisp display at any size up to the original dimensions.

SVG Infinitely Scalable

Vector format that scales to any size without quality loss. Ideal for print, large displays, and web development. Fully editable in design software.

Square Format — Primary Brand Use

The primary logo format for most applications. Features the full SBOE seal in a square aspect ratio.

Black

Print, B&W documents, fax

White

Dark backgrounds, overlays

Capitol Slate

Primary official branding

Ward Blue

Community-focused content

DC Coral

Heritage & pride emphasis

Rising Teal

Student-focused content

Gradient Heritage

Signature brand gradient

Gradient Authority

Official & formal contexts

Gradient Civic

Engagement & energy

Gradient Spectrum

Full brand expression

Original Red (Legacy)

Historical reference only

Rectangle Format — Horizontal Applications

Ideal for letterheads, email signatures, website headers, and wide format displays.

Black

Letterhead, formal documents

White

Dark headers, nav bars

Capitol Slate

Primary branded horizontal

Ward Blue

Community newsletters

DC Coral

Heritage communications

Rising Teal

Student programs header

Gradient Heritage

Website hero headers

Gradient Authority

Official presentations

Gradient Civic

Engagement banners

Gradient Spectrum

Special occasion headers

SBOE Mark — Compact Applications

The abbreviated mark for favicons, social media profile pictures, app icons, and compact spaces.

Black

Favicons, watermarks

White

Dark mode icons

Capitol Slate

Official app icons

Ward Blue

Community social icons

DC Coral

Heritage social icons

Rising Teal

Student app icons

Gradient Heritage

Signature social profile

Gradient Authority

Official profile icons

Gradient Civic

Engagement avatars

Gradient Spectrum

Special event icons

Professional Growth

Development, Recognitions, and Connections

Learning and growing through roundtable dialogues, professional development opportunities, and recognition for the work we do at SBOE.

Professional Development

EdTrust Roundtable Dialogue

A lunch dialogue with The Education Trust on equity in P-12 and higher education policy.

Roundtable Discussion with The Education Trust

I had the opportunity to attend a roundtable discussion and lunch dialogue with The Education Trust (EdTrust) alongside Policy Fellow Taylor Spriggs and Senior Policy Analyst Dr. Darren Fleischer, my colleagues from the D.C. State Board of Education.

For those unfamiliar, The Education Trust is committed to advancing policies and practices that dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in the American education system. They are equity-driven, data-centered, and student-focused. Through research and advocacy, EdTrust works to improve equity in education from preschool through college, engaging diverse communities and building political and public will for an education system where all students can thrive. While many organizations speak up for adults in education, EdTrust advocates for students, especially those whose potential is often overlooked.

People I Got to Meet and Learn From

Wil Del Pilar, Senior Vice President of Higher Education

Ameshia Cross, Communications Director, leading media strategy and external affairs

Hector Biaggi, P-12 Data Analytics Senior Analyst

Nancy Duchesneau, Research Senior Manager, leading Social, Emotional, and Academic Development work

Shayna Levitan, P-12 Policy Analyst, supporting resource equity and accountability research

Ivy Morgan, P-12 Research & Data Analytics Director

Nicholas Munyan-Penney, P-12 Policy Assistant Director

William Rodick, PhD, P-12 Practice Lead, focusing on culturally responsive teaching

Anna Skubel, PhD, P-12 Research & Data Senior Analyst

Phil Martin, Higher Education Policy Implementation Director

Blair Wriston, Government Affairs Senior Manager

Karena Escalante, PhD, Spencer Fellow for Youth Participatory Action Research

I walked away with new connections, new perspectives, and a renewed energy for this work. Opportunities like this to grow my network and learn from people making real impact across P-12 and higher education are what keep me motivated.

Learn About EdTrust

Recognitions

Awards and Acknowledgments

Recognitions received for my work and contributions at the DC State Board of Education.

American University School of Communication

Dean's Intern Award, Fall 2025

Received the Dean's Intern award from the American University School of Communication (SOC) for my internship work at the DC State Board of Education. At the same ceremony, Dr. Darren Fleischer received the Internship Employer Certificate recognizing SBOE as an outstanding internship site.

Nasaiah Algarin at the Dean's Intern ceremony at American University School of Communication

SBOE Recognition

Internship Employer Recognition

The DC State Board of Education was recognized by American University's School of Communication as an outstanding internship employer. This certificate, awarded to Dr. Darren Fleischer on behalf of SBOE, reflects the quality of the learning experience and mentorship provided to SOC interns.

Recent Highlights

Black History Month Campaign

Arc of Work

My Role at SBOE

What Drives Me

Skills & Expertise

Tools & Software

This Portfolio

Let's Connect

My Team at SBOE

I Report Directly To

I Work Alongside

Broader Team

Explore My Work

Math Standards Promotion

Celebrating 100 Years

Elevating Student Voice

Pitch Decks & Strategic Proposals

A Brand Built on Place & Purpose

Why We Needed a New Visual Language

The Design Philosophy

From Red to Coral: Honoring Heritage While Evolving

The Four Pillars

Depth & Nuance

Tints for Every Context

Color in Motion

Gradient Lines

Voice Through Type

Why Poppins + Montserrat?

Flexible & Consistent

Logo Usage Principles

Square Format — Primary Use

Rectangle Format — Horizontal Applications

SBOE Mark — Compact Applications

Quick Reference

Icon Downloads

PNG Highest Quality

SVG Infinitely Scalable

Square Format — Primary Brand Use

Rectangle Format — Horizontal Applications

SBOE Mark — Compact Applications

EdTrust Roundtable Dialogue

Roundtable Discussion with The Education Trust

People I Got to Meet and Learn From

Awards and Acknowledgments

Dean's Intern Award, Fall 2025

Internship Employer Recognition