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6 Ways To Support The Black Community All Year Long

6 Ways To Support The Black Community All Year Long
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There are things that we should make a conscious effort to do all throughout the year, not just during Black History Month. I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but Black history is American history. The contributions of Black people in this country are not only incredibly vast, but also crucial to the modern society we live in today.

Black people are responsible for the traffic light, folding chairs, gas masks, laser eye surgery, potato chips, mail boxes… the list goes on and on. Most of the popular fashion and beauty trends you see today are rooted in Black culture, whether it be flashy long nails, patterned braids and dreadlocks, sneaker culture, or most of today’s streetwear in general.

I am biracial and very aware of my own light skin privilege. I am also proud as hell to be of African decent. One of my idols, Maya Angelou, once said, “I am so grateful to be a Black woman. I would be so jealous if I were anything else.”

My ancestors overcame slavery and segregation. To this day, my community is forced to explain to others why cultural appropriation is offensive and why just because you have “a black friend” doesn’t exempt you from making racist remarks. We often face discrimination in the workplace and micro aggressions in our very own families and friend groups. But nonetheless, we continue to be strong, heard, stylish, educated, driven, powerful, and so much more.

So, in order to celebrate the contributions that Black people have blessed this country with, I put together a list of things that we should ALL be doing. Regardless of your race or background. These small acts can hopefully help you relate to and respect the work and contributions that Black people are making every day.

1. Support a Black-owned business

There are TONS of amazing black-owned brands and businesses across fashion, beauty, food, interiors, art, and more. Do your research to find out what brands are truly Black-owned and spend some money with them. Even a small purchase can make a big difference. If you’re not sure where to start, check out my list of 30+ Black-owned businesses that I personally shop and love.

For even more suggestions, check out this article me and my friend Marquaysa wrote for BuzzFeed.

2. Read a book by a Black author

Obviously, there are many, many great books to choose from! Here are some suggestions from my personal collection:

3. Follow Black content creators and support their projects

As a content creator myself, this is really important to me. The influencer space is so full of thin, rich, white women. And of course I am not here to speak negatively about anyone, but it’s just a well-known fact that influencers and creators of color often get paid lower rates, are offered fewer brand partnerships, etc. — even if the quality of their content is on par with (or better than) their white peers. So, actively following and engaging with creatives of color is a very meaningful way of supporting the community so we can begin to see more people who look like us in ads, in articles, and on our social feeds. Here are some of my faves:

4. Watch films and shows with Black leads

The most important time for films is often opening weekend. So, paying to see a movie with Black leads when it’s first released is a great way to support Black creatives in the film industry. But even if you’re not a moviegoer, there are hundreds of streaming options. It’s also important to not only watch Black trauma porn. There are incredible films and shows created by Black people across all genres: comedy, romance, horror, thriller, action, and more. For a long list of suggestions, check out my BLM resource page.

5. Read and share some positive articles about Black people

There is always so much negativity in the news in general, but sometimes it can feel like there is a disproportionate amount with Black faces attached. Try seeking out some more positive stories about people of color. You can take a browse through Black news sites like Essence, The Root, Blavity, or Travel Noire.

Also, check out some of the pieces I’ve written over the years at various outlets:

These are projects I’ve had the privilege of being featured in:

6. Donate to a nonprofit

There are many great organizations out there fighting to give people of color a justice, equality, and a fair shot at success. Here are a few suggestions you can look into:

  • Black Lives Matter — “The Black Lives Matter Global Network is a chapter-based, member-led organization whose mission is to build local power and to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.”
  • Black Girls Code — “To increase the number of women of color in the digital space by empowering girls of color ages 7 to 17 to become innovators in STEM fields, leaders in their communities, and builders of their own futures through exposure to computer science and technology.”
  • NAACP — “The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.”
  • Black AIDS Institute — “Our mission is to stop the AIDS epidemic in Black communities by engaging and mobilizing Black institutions and individuals in efforts to confront HIV.”
  • Thurgood Marshall College Fund — “We’re dedicated to transforming the lives of students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black Institutions. Talented students from diverse backgrounds gain access to lifelong rewards.”

Check out my YouTube video on some of my favorite black-owned businesses:

And don’t forget, every month should be Black History Month.

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