Although Black businesses are being disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the dark clouds have a silver lining…Black Love!
Blackout Day 2020, powered by OneUnited Bank, was a huge success! Over 2 million people united on July 7, 2020 to not spend any money, except to support Black owned businesses. As reported on CNBC, “Black-owned Businesses Reported a Boost in Sales and Interest on Blackout Day“, some Black-owned businesses saw a 200% increase in sales!
In addition, many organizations announced plans to invest millions of dollars to fortify Black-owned businesses. Recently, the NAACP in partnership with Beyonce and BeyGOOD announced the Black-Owned Small Business Impact Fund to step into their roles as community leaders by providing financial support. As stated on the NAACP website, the initiative will provide grants in the amount of $10,000 to Black-owned small businesses in select cities “to help strengthen small businesses and to ensure economic empowerment for Black businesses.”
Influencers such as Janelle Monae, Rihanna, The Weeknd, and Michael Jordan are also signing onto the movement for Black empowerment. They’re donating to various organizations including Black Lives Matter, the American Civil Liberties Union and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.
In a similar vein, BMe Community is galvanizing Black leadership to encourage Black
L.O.V.E, an acronym to accentuates the actions of Love, Own, Vote and Excel. Each of these principles seeks to create progressive actions and constructive steps forward after weeks of protesting. BMe awards fellowships designed to unite, celebrate, and elevate Black leaders to achieve greater influence and impact in creating more caring, prosperous communities. BMe also encourages all leaders and organizations of every walk of life to embrace and promote Black L.O.V.E.
Live – Prioritize the value of Black lives, mental, physical and spiritual health, and heritage.
Own – Increase financial literacy, asset-ownership, and creation of generational wealth.
Vote – Remove barriers to voting, end corrupt policing and turnout the Black vote and census.
Excel – Amplify narratives that make it impossible to ignore Black excellence.
At a time when we are experiencing the impact of COVID-19 and Racism-20, we are also coming together to build a better future, directed by #BlackExcellence. We are the champions of tomorrow and with the economic co-operation of our community we can rise above every circumstance. Band together and remember the power of Black L.O.V.E.
