How to Actively and Respectfully Engage in the Movement While Still Promoting Your Business
The times are changing. This should be abundantly evident, unless you have your head in the sand. Not since the Civil Rights Movement, has there been such upheaval based on the racial structure of America. The Black Lives Matter movement is as strong as it is vital and necessary to our world.
We believe that we need to celebrate Black lives, honor Black experiences and support Black voices in every possible way.
But how do you support the movement, ethically, responsibly and with your whole heart, while still promoting your business? It’s a question that has been on the mind of business owners across America, especially primarily white-owned businesses. In the times of a pandemic, worldwide protests and a large economic downturn, many businesses are struggling to stay afloat. The only way to survive is to keep the doors open and keep promoting.
Here are 5 ways you can promote while still supporting Black Lives Matter:
- Identify how you can help others through your services
No matter what your business is, there is a way to help others, directly or indirectly. You can donate. You can volunteer as an organization or you can find the unique ways your business can be a part of the solution. For example, if you are a therapist you can help people struggling with emotional grief in the current climate. A criminal defense attorney could step up to protect those being arrested for protesting. An HR company could give more talks on diversity and inclusion in the hiring process.
- Watch your language
Words have so much power. Language is what sets us apart from others, both as businesses and as human beings. Your words can help or they can harm and they can also leave you open to criticism. We’ve been watching a number of businesses fall apart and be called out for non-inclusive or derogatory language. Don’t let this happen to you. Watch your words. Think before you speak and especially before you post anything.
- Be honest and open
Remember the Golden Rule? Treat others as you’d like to be treated and if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all. Now is not the time for more negativity. We need to lift others up. But in the same vein, don’t force a post or a comment just because everyone else is doing it. Disingenuousness leaves a bad taste in the mouth and it’s painfully obvious.
- Strike a balance
You still need to promote your business, but do so within reason. Good promotion is always focused on taking the spotlight off of you but right now it’s even more important to GIVE. People know what it looks like to promote for self-gain – don’t be that business. Focus on others and do everything you can to give back.
- Commit to a change
Put your money where your mouth is. Actions speak louder than words. The only way to make a change is to be the change. Now is the time to hold your business accountable and make actionable steps to support the movement.
And since we don’t want to be that business, we’re practicing what we preach. We are committed to promoting, engaging and donating and in some cases have already begun monthly donations to the following organizations:
- People of Color in Publishing
- We Need Diverse Books
- Black Writers Collective
- Rebuild Foundation
- Art 21
- Black Art Futures Fund
- Harlem Academy
- National Black Child Development Institute
- Thurgood Marshall College Fund
- Black Lives Matter
- Equal Justice Initiative
- Color of Change
In solidarity,
The Found Gen