How are you?
I’m well! Thanks for asking! Trying times but I am feeling optimistic. I am appreciating the roses that are currently growing through the concrete.
What inspired you to launch this new platform?
Initially, I just wanted to create a “finsta” where I could follow a ton of the Black-owned companies that were being circulated because of the movement– a place where I could easily locate brands to support. Once I started the page, I quickly realized that keeping the information to myself would be downright selfish so I posted it to my personal page asking people to refer companies to follow. The response was astounding. We received hundreds, even thousands of brands spanning many different categories. It happened innocently. It happened organically. We are responding to the demands and building a new space “brick by brick.”
Why is this platform important for the fashion industry and consumers to follow and pay attention to?
I’ve found two things in this process.
One, there are/were many Black-owned businesses that were hiding. They didn’t want to necessarily reveal that they were Black-owned in hopes to gain more business. They were “passing,” for lack of a better word. When the surge of support happening for Black-owned business surrounding the fight against racial injustice, it was almost like everyone put on a sign in their digital storefront to announce proudly that they were indeed Black-owned.
Two, many people that simply want to support and locate more Black-owned businesses (or small businesses in general) and create more conscious spending habits may not have the time to dig for that one website or item that they came across some time ago. Creating this space is not only a way for people to easily peruse and discover how multifaceted we truly are, but also to see things through a different lens. For example, we have the opportunity to highlight items and images on our platform that may have not been appreciated or reached on the artist’s page directly.
It is important for the industry to see that there are more than just the two to three CFDA/Vogue “industry approved” designers to pay attention to and support.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CByc1Pgpm3P/
Since launching, you’ve quickly amassed a significant following. What has the response been from the community and/or brands featured?
People are THRILLED! People are celebrating! People are proud! Many brands have written to us saying that after we post, their products move. Their brand elevates into a new space. They get a burst of motivation and inspiration to keep pressing forward in these trying times.
How do you discover all of these brands? If someone wanted to be featured, what’s the best way to get in touch?
Most of the brands have been referred to us through the community. It has been a constant flow of people simply sending us brands that they love or that they have recently discovered. We have implemented a new registration system at www.blackownedeverything.co where you can register your business with us and we will feature from that list. Reaching out on our socials (Instagram, Twitter, & Facebook) works as well.
How can non-black individuals be an agent for change and demonstrate true, authentic allyship?
It’s very simple, when you find something you like, love, or enjoy. Share it. Share it with your following. Spread the word and support the brands. Diversify your spending along with your surroundings. It will become second nature.
How can the fashion industry do better? Where do you want to see change?
There is a laundry list of what needs to change in the fashion industry and it starts by holding companies accountable for creating diversity internally. Many brands have been under fire for creating products or making announcements that are racially insensitive – many of which have to go through a considerable amount of channels before reaching the public’s eye including but not limited to–product concept, product development, product edits, approval, photography, image approval, digital team review, buying team review, sales team review etc. It is apparent that there are not enough people of color in the room and that if there are a few, they are not empowered to speak up.
