Lessons from Beyoncé in disaster preparedness 

Marcus Coleman and Justin Ángel Knighten take a look at Beyoncé’s approach to her craft, drawing five key lessons for disaster preparedness and resilience.


Image by Raph_PH | Wikimedia Commons

When disasters hit, too many communities are caught off guard. The warnings were there. The resources existed. However, the message never landed or the plan never left the shelf. That’s why every September, National Preparedness Month urges us to take steps to protect ourselves and our families. 

The challenge is motivation. Public service announcements and checklists aren’t always enough to drive action. So this year, we turn to someone who does: Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. 

While her Cowboy Carter tour has wrapped, her cultural influence continues as we enter peak wildfire and hurricane seasons. She offers a blunt reminder of how quickly disaster can strike and why preparedness matters in her song, Texas Hold ’Em: “There’s a tornado in my city; hit the basement; that shit ain’t pretty.”

Beyoncé sets the standard for readiness. Her Renaissance and Cowboy Carter albums were masterclasses in precision. Every release, post, and show reflected intention and control. 

If more of us approached preparedness the way Beyoncé approaches her art, we would be a stronger and safer nation.

Lesson one: Rehearse

Before Beyoncé’s performance, Homecoming, at Coachella, she spent eight months practising every note, step, and camera angle. Nothing was left to chance. 

Preparedness demands that same discipline. It’s not about scrambling for a flashlight when the storm hits. It’s about making and practising a plan: knowing evacuation routes, how to reach family, and what supplies fit your needs. Beyoncé didn’t wing Coachella. Don’t wing a hurricane, wildfire, or blackout. 

You can start here. 

Lesson two: Collaborate

From Destiny’s Child to her reunion this summer, Beyoncé has always built with trusted partners. She elevates dancers such as Les Twins and designers such as Es Devlin to create something bigger than herself. 

Resilience works the same way. No one prepares alone. We rely on neighbours, community groups, and local leaders. Trust and co-ordination matter as much as government alerts. 

This partnership-based guide for caregivers was designed for this reason.

Lesson three: Communicate

Beyoncé knows how to deliver messages that land. Whether through a single photo drop, a lyric, or a film, she moves people to pay attention. 

Preparedness requires strategies that meet people where they are with trusted voices and relevant storytelling. Beyoncé is a skilled storyteller, and we should take note of how to deliver more effective preparedness information. 

A disaster preparedness campaign did this to reach new audiences.

Lesson four: Prioritise family

Beyoncé has turned stadium shows into mother–daughter time capsules, sharing the stage with Blue Ivy in moments fans will never forget. That legacy traces back to Tina Knowles, who stitched Destiny’s Child costumes and instilled the discipline that still shapes her daughter’s career. 

Preparedness begins the same way with family talks about where to meet, how to care for kids, elders, or pets, and how to stay connected when the lights go out.

This FEMA PSA will make your family want to prepare together.

Lesson five: Step into formation

Since 2013, BeyGOOD has supported survivors of earthquakes, water crises, hurricanes, pandemics, and wildfires. Beyoncé invests in nonprofits globally that address inequities and meet communities where they are. 

Preparedness also means knowing how to give and volunteer responsibly during crises. Identify trusted organisations now. 

Start with National Voluntary Organisations Active in Disaster or InterAction’s member network.

No, we don’t think Renaissance Act III will feature Beyoncé as the next FEMA Administrator. However, we do believe that her mindset and methods offer real lessons in readiness.

Imagine a country where readiness was seen as empowering rather than frightening. Where preparation was part of culture, not a chore. Where the message was delivered with clarity, creativity, and confidence. That’s the kind of disaster preparedness we need and a vision that Beyoncé would co-sign.

This September, take a page from Beyoncé’s playbook. 

Rehearse. Collaborate. Communicate. Prioritise family. Step into formation. Be ready before it’s too late.

Marcus Coleman is a Global Ambassador of the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative at Harvard University and served as Director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Faith-Based and Neighbourhood Partnerships. Justin Ángel Knighten is a nationally recognised communications strategist and community engagement specialist who currently advises governments, media companies, foundations, and corporations and served as FEMA Associate Administrator for External Affairs.