United in Change
I’ve been grappling with how to address these complex times we find ourselves living in. I say complex because there will always be too many contributing variables for there ever to be an easy solution to fix what has been broken for so long.
I may not be white, but the lens available to me due to the demographics of my environment can give a false reading on the truth of what boils beneath the surface. A realization that has been made far more clear in our current climate.
That truth has now boiled over into the streets of our cities and neighborhoods in the form of important protests. Unfortunately there was also a small minority of rioters who negatively affected some black-owned businesses, some who had already been devastated by the city-wide shutdowns.
Sustained by Action
In the midst of this, my heartstrings were tugged towards supporting those black-owned businesses. Many who have also been disproportionately struggling to secure PPP loans. Specifically, small, independently owned boutiques such as this one - https://www.wilbournsistersdesigns.com/
The two owners, Janice and Carolyn Wilbourn have used their talents passed on by their mother, affectionately known as ‘Queen Mother Elizabeth’, to positively impact their community. Not just through clothing design but mentoring the next generation of those aspiring to find their passion in fashion.
I will continue to support this business and others like it through the remainder of 2020 by giving 10% of all sales during this time to aid them in recovering from their devastating losses. If you wish to assist this business or others like it, I have compiled a list to directly donate funds to help them rebuild their livelihood below.
Other small black-owned boutiques affected by the riots that you can contribute to directly on GoFundMe.
Guns and Roses Boutique (Dallas, TX)
Dez Deme House of Styles (Chicago, IL)
89 and Pine (Columbus, OH)
Attom Shop (Atlanta, GA)
Pillars Fashion Club (Chicago, IL)
Plagrnd Clothing Store (Greenbay, WI)
Queen Hippie Gypsy (Oakland, CA)
Shop Z Couture (Chicago, IL)
You can also help repair black-owned businesses with your John Hancock and not your wallet if you have been too deeply impacted during these times. This petition on Change.org will make it easier to identify black-owned businesses to support and create lasting change that this world desperately needs.
I know that this blog post alone won't create the kind of change you and I would like to see immediately but it's a start. A better future awaits us if we choose it.
