#BlackEconomics That’s A Major Key

It’s #BlackAugust which is a time to celebrate the legacy of Black resistance, sacrifice, fortitude and discipline. It’s also Black Business Month and and we at BAOBOB are taking the time to discuss the importance of Black Economics as an act of resistance.

In the Black community there is always a “soundtrack to the movement,” in particular importance to this article is my favorite track on DJ Khaled’s Major Key Album entitled “Nas Album Done.” A Major Key is a key that leads to success. My favorite verse on the track from infamous rapper Nas states:

“Go Support us like a local Black grocery store, cuz in the hood shit ain’t passed down through blood, it’s a dub on that, we get government aid, spend it at they stores, putting they kids through college, we need balance, we can lease and own deeds in our projects, so I’m asking G’s to go in they pockets, the racial-economic inequality, let’s try to solve it.”

In this one moment he discusses the legacy of Black poverty, the systems of racial-economic inequality that keep poverty prevalent, and the power of Blacks investing into a Black economy.

Blacks learning about finances, saving and investing our money, starting family businesses, supporting other Black businesses, being community oriented, organized, patient, focused. That’s a major key. 

I believe that whether you are protesting in the streets, teaching our children in classrooms, working on legislation, registering voters of color, or starting your own business that we all have our place in the act of resistance. Those are all major keys. But many of those acts of resistance get more spotlight than the focus on economics as a collective responsibility. But economics is everything. Let me explain.

In a Ted Talk by investor Rukaiyah Adams she talked about how Black folks net worth is technically the same today as it was at the end of slavery. She mentions how Sandra Bland spent days in a jail because she and her family couldn’t afford the few hundred dollars for bail. That poverty gives us less influence over our lives. And when we consider Korryn Gaines, a mother at her wits end who wished to be sovereign, I ask: How is sovereignty or self sufficiency possible for Blacks without a Black economy?

I am not saying that money will save us from police brutality. I am saying that with a Black economy we can employ, feed, and educate our own. There is a little Mexico, and a China town in every major city, while Black businesses are sprinkled here and there. There is a certain loyalty we have to have with each other in the way we choose to spend the dollar$ so our communities can thrive.

This is the premise behind BAOBOB: The Bay Area Organization of Black Owned Bussineses. So we created a Black biz directory with the intent of driving traffic to Black bussinessss. And we are also working towards offering professional development and perks to our members and community. We are smack dab in the middle of our #WhyWeBuyBlack 3for$3 crowdfunding campaigin. Every movement takes money. And at minimum we want you to donate $3 and ask 3 others to do the same!

We want you to think about what it would take for you to buy Black exclusively? Or at least come close.

While we may not have sovereignty from the law, what if we did govern ourselves, love & protect one another?

And what if those of us with money and influence taught others how to acquire wealth and build black grocery stores, black schools, and invest in Black communities?

We Buy Black…

We invest in ourselves…

Cuz that’s a major key.

If you would like to support our crowd funding campaign click below:

 http://bit.do/BAOBOB 

Thank you!