JONES - The Importance of Encouraging and Supporting Black Entrepreneurs

 

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For this second intervention, I decided to touch upon the importance of black businesses flourishing and how we can better support each other. I’ve noticed, especially in Jersey City, how rare it is to not only see black businesses pop up in the area, but they aren’t highlighted/recognized. When being part of the process of my sister’s and my father’s businesses, I saw how when it came to promoting, how reluctant it seemed that individuals within our community would take the initiative. I’ve talked with my friends about how there is an unconscious/conscious support of predominantly white businesses. However, when it comes to our own people, there’s a certain level of expectation because we have been conditioned that, in order to reach a certain level in our society then we have to work 10 times harder. With that, it’s like we tend to acknowledge black businesses for a moment and when it doesn't pass our “test”, sometimes we stick to big name brands that we probably see as better. 

"As a byproduct of social media, memes and protest art act as a way to gauge a country’s political temperature...  an act of protest spoken with the language of the digital age." 

- How Memes Are Making Protest Art More Powerful by Lizzie Fison

"Professor McAdam said. “We appear to be experiencing a social change tipping point — that is as rare in society as it is potentially consequential.” "  

-  Black Lives Matter May Be the Largest Movement in U.S. History By Larry Buchanan, Quoctrung Bui and Jugal K. Patel

The two quotes above corroborate with my intervention because, when put together they explain how art can be a form of activism. My business is not only about promoting and advocating for black businesses, but it's also part of an effort to showcase just how much talent and creativity is within a community that has been underrepresented and overshadowed for so long. To me, being part of this showcase of creativity is important because I hope to be an inspiration to others.

Brandon Blackwood is an up and coming, handbag designer who has made a name as one of the most influential young, black entrepreneurs currently. I remember seeing how he was getting bashed on Twitter because the quality of some bags did not meet expectations when people received them. The drama was trending on Twitter for weeks before Brandon released a heartfelt video about the situation. In the video he apologizes for the quality of the bags not being up to par, but he also speaks upon how critical the black community is of the notable black figures/businesses because it seems like we expect more of them, because they are representing us. I agree with this statement in its entirety. The photos I attached are shirts from my business, and I find it important to make it clear that not only is this my brand, but it is most definitely black owned, and all my fellow community entrepreneurs should be proud of their success. I wanted it to be the biggest takeaway when someone buys from my business. I will always make it a point to purchase from or shout out business owners in my community. So often, we aren’t given the tools and opportunities to get ourselves out of the conditions our society has normalized for us. It’s imperative for us to make sure that when we reach a certain level and get ourselves up, that we reach back and help another one up.