More Than Lobbying

Building Common Ground Between Tech, Business, Government, and Community.

Common Ground Public Affairs Group helps organizations navigate public policy, build strategic relationships, and achieve meaningful outcomes through government relations, community engagement, and public affairs strategy.

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Connecting Interests. Creating Opportunity. Delivering Impact.

We work at the intersection of public affairs, strategic relationships, and policy advocacy to help our clients navigate complex issues, influence decision-makers, and create opportunities for long-term success.

Our Approach

Every challenge requires a tailored strategy, but our foundational methodology remains the same.

Our Approach Section

Listen.

Every challenge begins with understanding the people, priorities, and environment involved.

Connect.

Our relationships across government, business, and community sectors help open doors.

Advocate.

We champion our clients' interests while fostering constructive, long-term partnerships.

Deliver.

Activity doesn't equal progress. Success is measured strictly by meaningful outcomes.

Our Capabilities

Core Services

We take a 360-degree approach to every challenge to ensure your organization's voice is heard by the right people at the right time.

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Government Relations

Helping organizations effectively engage local, regional, and state government leaders.

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Legislative advocacy

Regulatory engagement

Government navigation

Public agency relations

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Public Affairs & Strategy

Creating influence through thoughtful planning, stakeholder engagement, and strategic execution.

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Gold checkmark inside a circle on a black background

Messaging

Stakeholder engagement

Issue advocacy

Crisis communications

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Community Building

Building authentic partnerships that create momentum, drive outcomes, and support shared goals.

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Community outreach

Coalition development

Grassroots engagement

Public-private partnerships

Special Projects

Specialized Strategy

Some challenges require a customized approach. We develop tailored solutions for organizations navigating complex public, political, and community environments.

Economic Development & Public Partnerships

Connecting public priorities with private-sector opportunities to create regional growth and success.

  • Public-private partnerships

  • Government procurement support

  • Community benefit agreements

Political Intelligence & Advisory

Providing clients with actionable insights that support informed decision-making and risk mitigation.

  • Political landscape analysis

  • Policy forecasting & risk assessment

  • Stakeholder intelligence

Proven Impact

We've consistently helped organizations align their goals with community and governmental priorities to create win-win scenarios.

Proven Impact Section
POLICY & LEGISLATION

Pioneering Cannabis Equity

Instrumental in writing and passing SB 1294, the California Cannabis Equity Act, paving the way for BIPOC entrepreneurs to thrive and secure funding without giving up business equity.

COMMUNITY & EDUCATION

Empowering Local Youth

Led multiple successful outreach, fundraising, and policy campaigns for California nonprofits focused on bringing better educational options and youth empowerment to marginalized communities.

Who We Help

Industries We Serve

We help organizations across key sectors navigate their unique regulatory environments and build critical community partnerships.

Real Estate & Development

Small Business & Entrepreneurship

Sports & Entertainment

Workforce Development

Transportation & Infrastructure

Education

Nonprofits & Foundations

Economic Development

Community Development

Leadership

Rashad Johnson

Founder & Lead Strategist

For over a decade, Rashad has worked in local and state politics and government to help level the playing field for Black and brown communities. He blends his expertise in public affairs, government relations, and community engagement to build trusting relationships that move priorities forward.

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Leadership Info List

  • Former Policy Director at Brownstein Hyatt Farber & Schreck

  • SVP at Strategies 360

  • Based in California

The Common Ground Advantage

Deep Relationships

Built on a decade of trust across California's state and local government landscapes.

360-Degree Strategy

We build coalitions, shape public narrative, and navigate complex regulations simultaneously.

Outcome-Focused

We measure our success solely by the meaningful, lasting outcomes we deliver for our clients.