Walking the Walk. not just talking the talk.
In 2009, before George Floyd's murder and all the protests and interest in Buying Black that stemmed from it, I took a stand to buy Black ONLY for an entire year. I did it out of love for, and duty and service to, my community. Not anger or vengeance. It was a major sacrifice. I had no idea how hard it would be. I never thought my family would be threatened. No grocery store. My daughters were 2 and 3, and we could not find a Black owned outlet for fresh produce, milk. See 2 min. inspirational BET video re my sacrifice.
BET/Centric honored me for my Buy Black pledge and teaching the world how & why I did it.
Buying Black. Living it. Loving it. Proving it. Promoting it. Teaching it. Preaching it.
During my yearlong Buy Black stand, I saved every receipt, documented my journey... all the entrepreneurs, products, local outlets and major retailers, and how and where I found them. My life is a real-life case study on the plight of Black owned businesses; the lack of Black ownership in markets and industries grounded in Black culture; the history, racism, and the resultant psychological and structural barriers preventing Black consumers from supporting their own. I lived and learned so much more than my Juris Doctor or MBA could have ever shown me. I developed a priceless expertise, an inimitable, hard-earned wisdom chronicled in my book, "Our Black Year" and the landmark study championed by Kellogg, at Northwestern University. Now, I speak all over the world to spread the good news re historic greatness of Black owned businesses, the tough truths re inequality and injustice, teach the simple solutions, and preach economic solidarity! See my Speaker Vitae for lists of speeches, events, and hosts.
During my stand, press covered my speech at Altanta Black Chamber event , held at Black wine bar.
Economic Empowerment keynotes - some of my hosts
I'm spreading truth, growing businesses, inspiring unity
Convention and expo keynotes
Convention and expo keynotes
My keynotes prove your organization's support of Black owned businesses and commitment to racial/economic equality.
awards banquets and galas
Convention and expo keynotes
Let me pay tribute to your group and your honorees and bring the economic unity message to your annual event.
Annual summits and meetings
Annual summits and meetings
Let me introduce the growing economic equality movement to your trade, civic, faith, and academic group's agenda.
Let me help your group support Black owned businesses!
community events and townhalls
buy black/ economic empowerment/ business d&i summit at your company, church, group meeting
buy black/ economic empowerment/ business d&i summit at your company, church, group meeting
America wants to talk and learn about buying Black and creating economic equality. I've keynoted and helped my corporate, university, civic and faith partners put on dozens of powerful community events.
buy black/ economic empowerment/ business d&i summit at your company, church, group meeting
buy black/ economic empowerment/ business d&i summit at your company, church, group meeting
buy black/ economic empowerment/ business d&i summit at your company, church, group meeting
When I speak, mainstream firms see the community impact of supplier diversity and bring more Black MBEs, banks, and media into their supply chains, shelves, and franchises.