By Pooja Singh, Chief Creative Office, Words Warriors, LLC
On back-to-back days in September 2020, Myles B. Caggins III gave press conferences in Hasakah, Syria and Erbil, Iraq, respectively. Caggins, a retired U.S. Army colonel, served as spokesman for The Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
To connect with local audiences in Iraq and Syria, he and his team disseminated messages via Twitter and held press conferences in Arabic, Kurmancî Kurdish, Sorani Kurdish, Syriac, and occasionally in the languages of the 77-nation Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.
Words Warriors founder retired U.S. Army Col. Myles B. Caggins III, conducts a press conference on anti-ISIS operations in Erbil, Iraq in September 2020.
“The translators and interpreters we worked with enabled us to change public sentiment about the competence of their local security forces and the ongoing presence of international troops in Iraq and Syria during tumultuous times,” said Caggins, founder and CEO of Words Warriors. “Sometimes the contractor linguists assigned by the U.S. Government were adequate; at other times, they weren’t fluent enough. To fill the gaps, I relied on volunteer non-U.S. citizen translators who would work with me over WhatsApp.”
Originally founded in Texas on February 2, 2021, Words Warriors came into form in July 2023 after Caggins relocated to New York City and retired from the U.S. Army.
In the past year, Words Warriors has provided public relations services across cultures for government and private sector clients.
As a subcontractor for Windsor Group LLC, Words Warriors spearheaded a comprehensive media outreach and media monitoring campaign for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) $2.2 billion Discrimination Financial Assistance Program, which spans 29 U.S. states and territories. Words Warriors designed graphics, managed social media content, and facilitated outreach to Spanish-speaking communities and tribal areas in the Eastern United States, resulting in increased program awareness and engagement.
Awarded in September 2024, Words Warriors LLC leads the communication planning and outreach for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience (ODR&R) Disaster Loan Program authorized by Section 7(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)). This project is primed by Analytic Acquisitions, a company that originally met Words Warriors in the aforementioned USDA program.
Drawing from the Words Warriors core team’s experiences in Iraqi Kurdistan, they are contracted by the Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (APIKUR) to lead government and public relations for eight international oil companies from Canada, Hungary, Norway, the U.K., and the U.S. Words Warriors enlists translators based in Iraq for Arabic and Sorani Kurdish translations of press releases and official correspondence. The team also conducts interviews with Arab, Kurdish, and Western media outlets on behalf of APIKUR.
Words Warriors prides itself on connections to the veteran community. Words Warriors leads public relations for E2M Fitness, a veteran-owned virtual fitness company with 220,000 members.
“Words Warriors’ storytelling ability helps us reach a wider audience and inspire even more people to embrace a healthier lifestyle. Our shared veteran background aligns us with a commitment to results-driven action – together, we can change lives,” said Jeff Witherspoon, founder and CEO of E2M Fitness.
Richelle Carey, former CNN HLN and Al Jazeera English anchor, leads Words Warriors’ media coaching and public relations project for E2M Fitness. Carey is a master facilitator and recently hosted the GasTech Conference in Houston, Texas, and forums in New York City during the UN General Assembly.
Seventy-five percent of Words Warriors core staff are multilingual and have worked or lived outside of the U.S.
Branding and graphic design projects round-out Words Warriors offerings. The company has created capability statements and pitch decks for several government contractors.
Words Warriors is an SBA-Certified Veteran-Owned Small Business. Additionally, Words Warriors is a certified Minority Business Enterprise in New York City and a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business in New York state.
Internationally, Words Warriors has the distinction of being one of only 69 companies authorized to do business with the U.S. military in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region; they are finalizing registration in non-regime held areas of North and East Syria and will, likely, be the only foreign (non-Syrian) company registered for business with the U.S. military in Syria.
In Hasakah, Syria, Caggins met with Ms. Îlham Ehmed, a foreign policy leader for the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. Mr. Mohammad Hassan, Words Warriors Syria country manager, facilitated the meeting in September 2024.
Words Warriors has offices in New York City and Erbil, Iraq. Staff primarily work virtually.
Membership in SBAIC has elevated Words Warriors access and aspirations. Words Warriors has participated in SBAIC conferences and workshops with USAID and the State Department. Additionally, Words Warriors admires the success of SBAIC members and has been fortunate to team up with members on several sources sought notices and solicitations.
“We learn from SBAIC members and value the selfless collaborations that abound in this group,” said Jessica Lopez, Words Warriors Senior Director of Operations. “We look forward to expanding and deepening relationships with more SBAIC companies and winning together in the coming years.”
Along the way, Words Warriors has supported charitable causes including the New York Kurdish Cultural Center, Alsama School at Shatila refugee camp in Lebanon, Dak NGO (Yazidi Refugees), Youthcast Media Group, and Hampton University’s School of Journalism and Communication.
Looking ahead, Words Warriors is focused on expanding its impact and capabilities.
Words Warriors Goals in 2025:
- Launch in-person and virtual media coaching courses
- Hire a full-time translation/interpretation project manager in New York
- Earn GSA Multiple Award Schedule
- Obtain Facilities Clearance
- Obtain Texas Historically Underutilized Business Certification
- Open office in Qamishlo, Syria
- Expand charitable giving for communities impacted by ISIS, immigrants, HBCUs, and veterans
Learn more: https://www.wordswarriors.com
