There is a quote that reads “I am my ancestors wildest dream,” and I truly believe that I am.
I believe that the excellence that is produced from my life has transcended through generations. I believe that I am living the life that my ancestors always dreamed. A life that is marked with integrity, workmanship, honorability, creativity, ownership and more. My mindset has always been that of selfless. What I do, I do for future generations to come. What I do, I do because my Grandmother always dreamed of accomplishing. I do not of myself but of what I want my life to produce for others.
I have come a long way and a long way I have to go. I believe that doors open and closed exactly how they are supposed to. I believe that my steps are ordered. I believe that my life is marked with excellence. Therefore, God always has a plan that is larger than we could ever see. The key to this life is trusting the path that is placed before you…even when it seems unclear. New beginnings start every day—it’s your opportunity to do something that you’ve only dreamed…it’s your opportunity to trust the vision that was given to you…it’s your opportunity to create the life that you want.
Looking around at the world today and examining where my people are, saddens me. But, I believe a new beginning is coming. I believe that this generation is more powerful, intelligent and bold. I believe that we will use the blueprint of our Elders (ancestors) to guide us to where we want to be—from business to politics, ownership to investing. This is the time that Black America needs to lean on ourselves to do for ourselves; produce for ourselves and hire ourselves.
There is no lack but the lack of knowledge. My Grandfather always said “If you want to hide something from a Negro, put it in a book.” It is our lack of self-education that keeps us “below” status quo.
But the time is no more…there is a new organization that has come to light that will help us to live out the dreams of our ancestors and produce a legacy for future generations. Of this organization, I serve as the Chief Communications Officer and founding member. This organization is called Black BRAND, a newly minted Black Chamber of Commerce and Business Association within Hampton Roads. The goal of Black BRAND is to promote group economics through professional development and community empowerment. What we have found is that Black Americans are the only group that doesn’t practice group economics.
Of the 1.1 Trillion dollar buying power that Blacks have, our dollar only circulates within our community for 6 hours while our counterparts’ dollar circulates through their communities for nearly a month.
The facts: Currently, a dollar circulates in Asian communities for a month; Jewish communities approximately 20 days; and white communities for 17 days. Of our $1.1 Trillion buying power, only 2 cents of every dollar an African-American spends in this country goes to black-owned businesses.
2 CENTS OF EVERY DOLLAR!!!
The goal of Black BRAND is to educate ourselves so that we can do for ourselves. There is a reason why Black Wall Streets all across America thrived in our history. From Black Bottom (Paradise Valley) in Detroit, MI, to Jackson Ward in Richmond, VA, and Black Wall Street in Tulsa, OK. The reason that they were destroyed is because we were so successful that we posed a threat to our counterparts—so they forced us to do business with them by burning (Tulsa) or running a freeway through the heart of the business district (Detroit).
Black BRAND exists in the spirit of Ujamaa, which means cooperative economics—To build our own businesses, control the economics of our own community and share in all its work and wealth together.
Yes, this means that YOU NEED TO BUY BLACK!
In order for us to do this, we must first acknowledge that it needs to be done. Each generation is to do better than the last. We have to keep climbing. We have to create a future that is for our children’s children and so on.
What will your life say about you?
Make a difference. Join Black BRAND!
