Invest in Black Owned Businesses

We live a country and world where it shamefully takes the brutal and tragic deaths of Black people, Civil Uprisings, and countless protests for human beings to see that Black Lives Matter!

It only took some 400+ years but I hope by now that YOU understand the history of your country and the struggle that Black people have endured for centuries.

While I wish it didn’t take the tragic loss of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmad Aubrey, Tony McDade and so many others for you to see US!

I guess the saying that: ignorance is bliss reigns true!!!

Many people may think that these months following the horrific lynching of George Floyd were the peak of this modern day revolution and that the movement is slowing down but I want to remind y’all that we have only just started.

If your life and/or social feed went back to its version of “normal” you need to check yourself and remember that Black Lives STILL Matter!

George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and so many other 2020 senseless and life altering deaths or brutalities were only the match that ignited us and this unshakable moment!!

You best believe that this is only the beginning of what will lead to the end of White Supremacy and yes, it will be broadcast loud all and televised live for all to hear and see!!!!

Equity and Ownership

We know that Amerikka was built on the backs of Black people. We built YOUR wealth and still have very little to show for it.

Our daily fight for justice and equality is only a piece of the puzzle. Equity and Ownership is the other slice of the pie.

Since the inception of this country, which was stolen from my Indigenous ancestors, Black people have been legally stripped of equal rights to ownership. In the 1930’s President Roosevelt’s quest to end the Great Depression with his signing of the New Deal was suppose to provide equal opportunities for ALL American’s, but banks and lenders would not lend to Black people.

While hundreds of years ago we were finally able to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and YOUR hatred and disdain for our Blackness and desire to be wealthy and successful led you to slaughter us and burn our communities as your way of ‘keeping us down.”

Now, in the face of this latest pandemic – Covid-19, President #45 has failed to respond to how this pandemic is disproportionately hurting Black communities and how centuries of systemic racism has left Black communities with an inequitable lack of critical health and economic resources.

Prior to the pandemic of Covid-19 and the disruption of so many things there were over 2.5 million African American owned businesses in the U.S.

By mid-April, 440,000 Black business owners had to shutter their companies for good.

It’s predicted that about 40% of Black-owned businesses are not expected to survive the coronavirus crisis due to countless PPP loan denials or not enough monetary support to help them sustain their business. This as compared to 17% of white-owned businesses, losing businesses who have managed to fair much better due a conservative political climate that continues to put them first. Black-owned businesses received less than 2% of Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) loans while white-owned businesses received 83%.

Invest in Black Owned Businesses

Outside of my multi-media creative life, I sit on various boards and committees. In a recent meeting, a brand shared that they are “committed to reaching out to a minimum of 20% “diverse” creatives and that from a business point of view, BIPOC creators are an easy sell at the moment.” I’m just going to let that sit with y’all for a moment…

Let me make one thing clear… Black people ARE THE CULTURE! It’s really sad and unfortunate that Black people are the ones who create the ideas and concepts that are then appropriated and end up trending only to get no recognition. We exist in a world where we are only seen as valuable after a tragedy…….that’s so sad but true!!!

So for those of you who are still asking the question ‘how can we do better?’ My response is ‘It’s really simple… open your eyes, educate yourselves, accept the history of YOUR ancestors, have the uncomfortable conversations with YOUR friends and family, be quick to check people and hold them accountable, and INVEST INVEST INVEST in Black EVERYTHING (Art, Fashion, Accessories, Beauty Products, Restaurants, etc.)

Instead of appropriating our culture invest in our culture!

Haute Butch

Just a reminder that Queer and Trans folx are Black too! We are equally as talented as our Heterosexual brothers and sisters.

Today’s look started with my newest fall piece from my friends at Haute Butch – a Black owned, Queer owned androgynous clothing & lifestyle brand inspired by masculine presentation and menswear.

Y’all have seen me rock Haute Butch over the years with looks like those infamous linen roped shorts.

I want to encourage y’all to remember that fashion and gender are not mutually exclusive. So, if you’re going to fight for Black equity, fight and support ALL Black equity including the queer designers like Haute Butch.

A List of Black-Owned Clothing Brands

—