Philadelphia is a city defined by its history of civic engagement, political innovation, and trade and culture in the early days of the United States of America. Two-hundred-and-fifty years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Philadelphia’s identity as a center for political activation is still going strong.
In the last decade, Bellevue Strategies has emerged as Philadelphia’s premier government relations firm, guiding organizations and advocates who know that political engagement is the next step in lasting, positive change for the communities they serve. Founded in 2015 by President and CEO Mustafa Rashed, the firm has built relationships, expertise, and strategic acumen to translate complex political objectives into results.
Headquartered at the historical Bellevue Hotel on Broad Street, just steps from City Hall, Bellevue Strategies knows that navigating the political landscape in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania is about knowing who needs to hear your message, why they need to hear it, and how to make sure they’re listening.
“Policy doesn’t change because an idea is good. It changes because the right people hear it at the right moment from someone they trust. The world demands a response to everything now. The organizations that thrive are the ones that understand that relationships and strategy are part of making sure their voice is the one that lands.”
– Mustafa Rashed, President & CEO –
Where Relationships Meet Results
Bellevue Strategies serves a notably diverse client base, with nonprofits, corporations, trade associations, educational organizations, and advocacy groups all looking to Bellevue’s combined years of experience to guide them. The firm’s work has spanned issue areas like food insecurity, community development, mental health, arts and culture, economic development, and more, highlighting a commitment to meaningful impact across Philadelphia and the Commonwealth.
At the core of Bellevue’s value proposition is its relationships. Bellevue Strategies and its team maintain active ties with key decision-makers from Philadelphia’s City Hall to Pennsylvania’s Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg, and through the state’s congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. These relationships are a product of sustained engagement and consistent results. Clients gain direct access to the people who shape legislative outcomes and make the decisions that matter most to their organizations and missions.
Integrated Communications: Bellevue Public Affairs
In 2023, Bellevue Strategies expanded its capabilities with the launch of Bellevue Public Affairs, a sister firm offering integrated strategic communications to complement the firm’s advocacy work. This evolution reflects a recognition that effective policy work increasingly demands more than legislative expertise alone it requires creative storytelling, consistent organizational voice, messaging development, and above all, a communications strategy that ensures an organization’s voice lands exactly where it needs to be.
Through Bellevue Public Affairs, clients gain access to media relations, crisis communications, and vast message development services that work in tandem with their advocacy campaigns. This fully integrated approach combines sophisticated legislative strategy and public communications to position clients to meet their goals, whether that’s influencing policy, securing public funding, or getting into the right rooms.
“Philadelphia has always been a city where big ideas get tested in real time. That’s exactly the environment we were built for, and it’s why we’ve invested everything into knowing the city, its leaders, and what it actually takes to make progress here.”
– Jessica Cosmé Platt, President, Bellevue Public Affairs –
Home Field Advantage
As the largest minority- and veteran-owned government affairs firm in Pennsylvania, Bellevue Strategies brings a distinctive perspective to its work. Many of the firm’s team members are Philadelphia and Pennsylvania natives, giving them an authentic understanding of the area’s communities, challenges, and opportunities. This local knowledge, combined with decades of professional experience, allows the firm to navigate the complexities of local government and develop strategies that are effective and genuinely responsive to the needs of the communities it serves.
Under Mustafa Rashed’s leadership, the firm has secured a million in government funding and advanced critical pieces of legislation at every level of government. Perhaps more importantly, Bellevue Strategies has built a reputation as a long-term partner, invested in understanding each client holistically to build tailored strategies that deliver sustained, real results.
As Philadelphia celebrates 250 years of innovation, Bellevue Strategies and Bellevue Public Affairs are proud to have a deep commitment to the city and Commonwealth they call home.
