How to help the BLM movement

This post was created as a resource to help my family, friends and readers navigate the Black Lives Matter movement. I have been learning so much, and wanted to share that all with you. I am honestly so mad and embarrassed that it took loosing George Floyd and so many other Black lives, to gain the support for this movement. But, I am here, you are here. And although we all probably want to get back to normal, I encourage you to evaluate what that looks like to you. To me I can’t go back. I am consumed with reevaluating the way I speak about the human experience. I’ve ignored racist remarks in the past and I refuse to now. I can’t believe I ever did.

Of the most optimistic ideas I’ve learned this past week - is that my voice is needed right now. My friend Bria Jones shared the reasoning on IG. (She’s an amazing human being that we can all learn from) I took away that to actually affect change, white voices have to speak out against racism (duh). It is not just okay to stay silent on racism, that’s how we got here. But, that we must be anti-racist. And actively fight against racism.

I then read a few stories of how Black fathers were harassed by police. These broke my heart. They were out doing normal everyday things and then a random racist white person “gets uncomfortable” with their - presence… the police are called out. They harass the innocent Black men, and then out of nowhere another random but anti-racist White person steps in to tell the cops to stop. So the cops do. But, the irrefutable damage that has been done to these men, is HORRIBLE.

I’m not a white savior. I don’t want to claim to be. I’m not perfect AT ALL. But, our white voices are needed. And that’s why I am writing this post. It is to help you know what you can do with your voice to positively impact and support the Black Lives Matter movement.

EDUCATE

• Read about racism specifically systemic racism

• Read about white privilege

• Read about defunding the police - and what it actually means.

• Read stories from Black authors - I saved many here.

DONATE

• To organizations that fight racism here’s a list of 142 ways to donate here.

PARTICIPATE

• Show up to protest - they’ve seemed to have dissipated. But, I’d recommend to look them up on Facebook.

• Sign a petition here

• Call your Representatives here

ADVOCATE

• Speak out against Racism!

• An article on ‘How to talk to your White Family about Racism’

VOTE

• Register here

• Find the dates to vote here

• Find out who and what is on your ballot here

• Now who do you vote for?

  • Google the names on your ballot.

  • Check out how they’ve voted in the past.

  • And ask yourself - does this align with my beliefs?

• Shop - use your dollars to support Black and Locally owned businesses

  • Authentic Goods of West Africa - African baskets

  • Sika Designs - Stunning Dresses designed with Ghanaian fabrics

  • Shekudo - Beautiful shoes

  • Estelle Colored Glass - Rainbow of colorful glass

  • Lola Ade - Statement Jewelry

  • Pink Lipps Cosmetics - Makeup

  • The Glamatory - Makeup

  • Humans Before Handles - Jewelry and Accessories

  • 79Rose Dressshop - Plus Size Fashion Brand

  • Eeni Edit - Planners, Stickers, and Phone cases

  • Purty - Appare and Jewelry

  • Whitney Manney - Apparel Designer

SUPPORT

• Black Bloggers

  • Jasmine Green - KC Fashion Blogger and Marketing guru

  • Bria Jones - KC Fashion Blogger and Tiktok phenomenon

  • La’Shonda Woodard - KC Foodie and Fashion Blogger

  • Britt Null - KC Lifestyle Blogger

  • Amira Rahim - Amazing Abstract Artist and Teacher

  • Lauren Elyce - Fitness and Fashion Blogger in ATL

  • Alea Lovely - Photographer + Spiritual Sh*t Podcast Host

  • Dressmyroom - Ariene owns a Vintage Home Furnishings + Styling Studio

  • Venita Aspen - Fashion Blogger - preppy and so cute!

  • Monica Awe-Etuk - Fashion Blogger - chic, chic, chic!

  • Cynthia Andrew - Fashion Blogger, fun and bright, and she’s currently expecting!

  • Rochelle Johnson - Plus Size Fashion Blogger

  • Kim Mitchell - Banana Republic Art Director and super chic dresser

  • Chrissy Rutherford - Fashion Blogger

  • Sparkle - Fashion Blogger - Mini Style Maven

Sharing support for the BLM is really important to me. I wanted to share ways that helped me know what to do, and ways to really do good work here. Our voices are needed and I hope this post inspires you to do good.

xo,