For my final project, I still want to focus on uplifting black entrepreneurs and creating a items to advocate for more exposure for them. I have decided to kickstart an idea through my own business page. Here's the official statement on it.
This project came about in three parts:
PART 1: How They See Us
"Patriarchy is a political-social system that males are inherently dominating, superior to everything and everyone deemed weak, especially females, and endowed wit the right to dominate and rule over the weak... " - bell hooks Understanding Patriarchy
"Emmet Till was a fourteen year old boy from Chicago, visiting cousins in Mississippi. While there, he was brutally beaten...murdered for allegedly flirting and whistling at a white woman....An ink-and-wash illustration of the all-white, all-male jury that acquitted the murderers despite eyewitness identification and their admission to the kidnapping. In 2007, the woman who had accused Till confessed that she had lied." - Siegler Chapter 5
"What is more moving? The words on the sign ort the small hands holding them with popsicle sticks."
- Siegler Chapter 10
When thinking of my final intervention I knew I wanted to center it around entrepreneurs from my community and what can be done to get them more exposure, and why it's important to do so. The quotes above combined together tell a story about how our society has categorized and negatively labeled the black community. It's a story we know all too well of how there's always a target on our back and how we are deemed inferior. For the most part, we are constantly at a disadvantage when it comes to reaching new levels in our society. This is because negative stereotypes and unjust treatment have followed the black community for decades. The main goal of my project is to come up with something that shows/says that we are more than what our society perceives us to be. A nod to the fact that we are doing amazing things not only for ourselves, but for the betterment of those that look like us; showing them that they can become whoever it is they choose to become.
PART 2: The Blueprint
My first idea was to rework some items from CISE. It is one of the well-known businesses within the black community that frequently creates pieces with call to actions like
"Protect Black People" "Protect Black Women"
I began with a patch idea and actually ordered them but upon further thought, I realized I wanted to make my own CTA. The patch is still a good idea and I hope they arrive in time for me to hand them out to people. However, I kept brainstorming and came up with "yes I'm an entrepreneur". For me, it was a better CTA and something original that I can rework to mesh with the logos/trademarks of black owned businesses. I wanted to do at least three businesses to rework and decided to have a poll on my personal page, since it has more followers/interactions.
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| Survey + Answers |
Based off the results, I saw that my friends/family mainly stated that my business was their favorite. I decided to do businesses that I'm already familiar with and get to work on deciding concepts. I decided on doing this concepts as 3 Issues.
The first business I came across was Miiriya which is a black owned app that lets you shop black owned businesses only.
The second business that I decided to feature is MSXLA. I actually am a frequent shopper of this online business, owned by a phenomenal black woman who is no stranger to money-making ventures. Another reason why I choose to shop with this business because it is one of the few black owned clothing businesses that is plus size friendly/inclusive. I thought this was important because a good portion of our community is full-figured and curvy women so they will always need a place that caters to them. I love alll of the items she sells and her business fits in so perfectly for this project.
Link to Nylon article on importance of black, plus sized women in the fashion industry:
The third business that I decided to feature is Protect Our Hair, who's owner is a fitness/lifestyle enthusiast that I've been following on social media for a while now. She has come up with a fantastic line of wigs to protect our hair. In the black community, we take a great pride in our natural hair, not only using it as a creative outlet, but also making sure to take perfect care of it in the form of protective styles. This business has provided a form of protective style with their wigs.
Link to article on importance of protective hairstyles:
Part 3: Fruition
The results of my work and concept construction is pictured above. I of course own my own business and haven't experienced many pop-up shops or networking opportunities for black businesses like myself. I wanted to start this Recognition Project as part of the effort for other businesses to be acknowledged and praised for what they have done. We have to be able to not only get ourselves up and make our claim in society, but also reach back and help individuals within our own community to come with us. We have to spread the wealth, knowledge and the respect. That starts now.
In an effort to highlight black owned businesses and uplift fellow entrepreneurs in our communities, A.J.X. is proud to announce our Recognition Project. The goal is to rework the logos/designs/brand staples of black owned businesses into concept designs, hoping to bring more RECOGNITION to these businesses. It is imperative that we are part of the efforts to uplift and highlight phenomenal individuals that happen to be part of a community that has been constantly neglected by our society. There will be 3 Issues as part of this project!
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Miiriya Concept
Reach: 339 people Likes: 8 Saves: 2 |
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Miiriya Concept
Inspiration |
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Protect Our Hair Concept
Reach: 32 Likes: 6 |
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Protect Our Hair Concept
Inspiration |
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MSXLA Concept
Reach: 44 Likes:10
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Resources:
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