3 Black Female Founders on How to Be a True Ally
“You have power. You have so much power, so use that power for good.”
Beyond posting messages of solidarity on social media, true allyship means acknowledging your privilege, holding space for your Black colleagues, friends, and community, and striving to be actively anti-racist. “It’s about amplifying the voices that are most impacted,” activist Tamika D. Mallory recently told Vogue. “A good ally places themselves in between the system and those people the system is harming, using their privilege to allow the voices of the impacted folks to be heard and protected.”
In order to do just that, we passed the mic to three Black female founders who generously offered to share their thoughts on allyship with our community as part of our Ask an Expert Instagram Live series. Ahead, we’re sharing just a few of the many takeaways from our conversations with Jasmine Marie, the founder of Black Girls Breathing, Devi Brown, a wellness educator, energy healer, author, and the founder of Karma Bliss, and Nikia Phoenix, a self-love advocate and the creator of Black Girl Beautiful.
Scroll on to learn more about how you can show up for Black-owned small businesses, hold space for Black colleagues, friends, and communities, and approach allyship with heart, humility, and kindness, according to these founders.
If you missed any of these insightful conversations, you can watch them in full via our Create & Cultivate IGTV channel, here, here, and here.
How Allies Can Show Up for Black-Owned Small Businesses Right Now
“I
t’s going to take more than the month of June to make an impact.
We need you to be consistent in your efforts and keep it going.
—Jasmine Marie, Founder, Black Girls Breathing
Get Local
“The biggest point I want to make is get local. It just takes you opening your eyes a bit to identify those businesses that could use your support and impact your local economy.”
“If you Google African American festival in your city, I guarantee you that there are some bands that have been highlighted that have been doing working in your city and you may not have heard of them.”
“One way that I like to look for Black-owned brands for myself is the Nile List. It’s like a directory for Black-owned businesses. They’re currently building what would feel like a Google for you to search and support Black-owned businesses.”
Be Consistent
“It’s so important to keep it going. Keep your actions consistent. This is not just a one-off.”
“Black people are hundreds of years behind in terms of financial wealth, so it’s going to take more than just the month of June to make an impact. We need you to be consistent in your efforts and keep it going.”
“Go share that message with other people within your circle that are looking for ways they can be active with how they combat against overt and systematic racism.”
Commit to 360-Degree Advocacy
“Take a look from your seat of privilege—and the title or the job that you hold—and say, How can I further impact service-based Black-owned businesses or initiatives that could use my voice and use our corporate dollars?”
“If you are at a major corporation, lots of major corporations have what is called a supplier diversity team. This team’s job is to source Black-owned, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses to put them into the supply chain, so it’s not just the same network of people and agencies and businesses that are receiving support from corporate dollars. Get tapped into your supplier diversity team.”
“Maybe you’ve started [a business,] how diverse is your team? Is there a way for you to be very specific in seeking out talented Black professionals and freelancers who need a platform and opportunity to showcase their art and not do so for free? We know how Black culture has impacted mainstream culture, however, a lot of Black creatives are not being paid for their services at the rates that they should be.”
”If you are contracting Black-owned vendors, be more of an advocate. Look at the numbers and make sure you’re paying them the same amount as you would a white-owned agency. Are they selling themselves short? How can you show up for them? As an ally and industry insider, let them know they need to up their rates before getting more business or taking on more clients.”
If you missed our conversation with Jasmine Marie, the founder of Black Girls Breathing, you can watch it in full here.
How to Hold Space for Black Colleagues, Black Friends, and the Black Community
“
Holding space is to be with someone without judgement, to practice active listening, and to really hear someone’s truth, no matter what it is.”
—Devi Brown, Wellness Educator, Energy Healer, Author, and Founder, Karma Bliss
Make This a Journey
“This is a journey and you have now signed up to dedicate the rest of your existence to being the most expansive, elevated version of who you are to show up as your highest self to show up in wholeness and to actively serve the world, not just people who look like you.”
“It’s important that you realize that your own unlearning and your own path to expansion and enlightenment is going to be a journey. This is not something that you are going to understand by binge-watching every documentary about the Black experience or listening to every podcast, this is also going to be an excavation of self.”
“It is a journey for you to unlearn all the belief systems that we now as collective consciousness outgrown. All the belief systems that can no longer serve you because they were not equally serving everyone.”
Commit to Continued Education
“It is not a Black person’s job to explain the entirety of their experience—the entirety of their generational trauma—in a way that you understand so that their feelings can be validated. That is your journey. That is your homework. You do not need to add to the work or emotional processes of a Black person.”
“This is going to be a constant life’s education. It is not just a documentary you’re watching this weekend, it’s also really realizing that this is collectively our human story. So, what are the ways that you are going to elevate your education and knowledge and your heart in service to others and knowing other people’s experiences?”
Show Up in a Supportive Way
“For all of us, that’s going to look different. Really see what impact do you want to have on the Black community now that you're aware of the challenges that are faced, the privilege that you’ve lived, and the inequality that is a part of every day for people.”
“As you’re doing this great unlearn, you also have the opportunity to be invested in the Black community, in your human being brothers and sisters, in a way that can supersede just this dismantling that we’re doing now.”
“How can I use my unique gifts, my unique calling, to be of service not just to myself but all underserved communities? Where can I best be used? How can I really show up in a way that’s uniquely mine and in a way that best serves other people? Where exactly do you want to make a difference?”
If you missed our conversation with Devi Brown, a wellness educator, energy healer, author, and the founder of Karma Bliss, you can watch it in full here.
If you’re looking for ways to continue your education and this process of unlearning, we’ve put together a list of 11 Books to Continue Your Growth in Being Anti-Racist.
How to Be an Ally With Love and Kindness
“
You have power. You have so much power, so use that power for good.
”
—Nikia Phoenix, Self-Love Advocate and Creator, Black Girl Beautiful
Acknowledge Your Privilege
“Acknowledge that you have been able to move in and out of this world in ways that others have not. There are certain privileges that come with being a white woman. You are able to be ignorant to the truths that people of color experience every day. This is a hard fact.”
Listen to Your Heart
“Breathe into your heart and exhale through your heart. So often we are listening to try to formulate a response, to try to formulate a rebuttal, instead of genuinely acknowledging that the person in front of us is a human being acknowledging their humanity.”
“When we’re able to listen with our hearts, we’re listening, we’re feeling, and we’re seeing through those eyes of compassion. We’re not trying to be right, we’re listening, we’re seeing through those eyes of compassion. Listen with your heart.”
Be Humble
“As an ally, specifically an ally to people of color, you are not aware of the microaggressions and the prejudice, the systemic racism that people of color experience on a daily basis. You don’t experience that.”
“Be humble, hold your tongue, and don't try to whitesplain a person of color’s feelings and a person of color’s emotions.”
“You have to listen. You have to humble yourself to learn and realize that you don’t get kudos you don’t get any brownie points for being an ally.”
“People of color have been in this fight for a long time and so much of what we’ve been saying has been falling on deaf ears.”
“Be humble enough to silence yourself when a person of color is speaking and sharing how their feeling because their feelings are just as valid as your feelings.”
”Part of being humble means confronting the part of you that allows your ego and your privilege to speak instead of your heart.”
Have Grace
“Have grace for yourself in your quest to be a true ally. Take those Ls, take those losses, because those are ways for you to learn.”
“You don’t have to show up and be perfect. Practice is not about being perfect. It’s about learning. Be okay to take those Ls.”
“It’s okay to make mistakes—because guess what? When you make those mistakes, when you open yourself up, when you’re vulnerable, you open yourself up to the truth and the work that you need to do.”
“Have grace for yourself and have grace for the people that you are an ally to. The person that you are attempting to be an advocate and an ally to, they may not be able to vocalize how they’re feeling.”
Be a Helper
“We are always looking for the helpers. If you have acknowledged your privilege, you’re listening with your heart, you can be a helper by using your privilege for good.”
“Make sure that you are using your privilege to open doors for people of color, and when you open those doors for people of color, make sure that you are listening to them.”
“When you see that a person of color is not being treated fairly, speak up.”
“Being an ally means being able to acknowledge that maybe you haven't been doing enough and that you can do better.”
“Seat at the table, pass the mic. Make sure that I have a plate to eat off of and that that plate is full. You cannot say that you are giving people of color opportunities if you are not paying them accordingly.“
Check Yourself
“You can always take time to check yourself. Check how you’re feeling, check and see if your ego is speaking or if your heart is speaking.”
“Check yourself about your intentions. Before you post something, before you write something, before you react to someone, check yourself. Get in touch with your heart and how you’re feeling and why you’re feeling that way. Check yourself, it’s a saving grace.”
“Even though you may believe that you are one person, you can positively change your community, positively change your environment, positively change your world. You have power. You have so much power, so use that power for good and help change some of these racist systems.”
If you missed our conversation with Nikia Phoenix, a self-love advocate and the creator of Black Girl Beautiful, you can watch it in full here.
Editor’s note: The book recommendations Nikia Phoenix shares during this IG Live are, The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk and Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome by Dr. Joy Degruy.
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29 Quotes on Diversity and Inclusion From the Create & Cultivate Stage
“Bring us in the room because it’s great for optics but if you’re not hearing from us nothing is going to change.” — Miatta David Johnson
To put it simply, diversity matters, and the stats speak for themselves and new research makes it crystal clear. Companies with a more diverse workforce perform better financially. In fact, companies in the top 25% for gender and ethnic diversity at the executive level are more likely to have above-average profitability than companies in the bottom 25% (not to mention they’re also 33% more likely to outperform the competition).
But it’s not enough to just listen and learn. We have to take action and understand our responsibility in moving the needle and making inclusion the norm, not the exception. Diversity, inclusion, and the importance of allies at work have always been an important conversation, but now more than ever, we need to talk about it, get uncomfortable, and do the work.
Read on for 29 quotes from powerful Black women and POC voices from the Create & Cultivate stage on the importance of diversity and inclusion so we can create cultures, communities and companies where everyone belongs.
Photo: Courtesy of Create & Cultivate
Panel: Inspired Inclusivity: Creating Cultures and Companies Where Everyone Belongs
Where: LA 2020 Conference
Panelists:
Nyma Tang | Beauty Influencer & Inclusivity Advocate
Adrienne Houghton | Singer, Actress, Talk Show Host, Lifestyle Personality, & Entrepreneur
Shahd Batal | Model, YouTube Star, & Influencer
Arnell Armon | YouTuber & Influencer
Sunita V. | Influencer
Moderator:
Randi Bryant | Sista-Intendent, Diversity and Inclusion Strategist"
On bringing inclusivity into the boardroom…
“Everything I do, I want it to be inclusive. I wanted diversity. It was important to me that people could see themself in the brand.” — Adrienne Houghton
On representation...
“I wasn’t represented, which is why I do what I do now.” — Shahd Batal
“I think brands really need to look internally and ask, ‘Why haven’t we created these shades? Why are they ashy? And do we have people in boardrooms who can speak up?’” — Nyma Tang
On the entertainment industry…
“Us as consumers need to recognize our power. Be the change we want to see.” — Adrienne Houghton
On representation in work culture…
“You’re hiring black influencers but there are no black people on your team. Actually hire us and work with us.” — Arnell Armon
On the future of inclusivity...
"We need to stop taking baby steps. I want to jump, I want to leap. I want to see everyone represented." — Shahd Batal
“You’re hiring black influencers but there are no black people on your team. Actually hire us and work with us. — Arnell Armon”
Panel: Intersectionality in the workplace: A conversation on diversity and the important role of allies at the office
Where: The San Francisco Conference 2019
Panelists:
Bhavagna Bhattiprolu | Vice President, Blended Strategy Group
Miatta David Johnson | President and Co-Founder, MVD Inc
Massah David | Co-Founder, MVD Inc
Ally Maki | Actress
Sahara Pynes | Partner, Fox Rothschild LLP
Moderator:
Randi Bryant | Diversity and Inclusion Strategist, Author, Speaker, and Trainer
On the importance of diversity versus inclusion…
“I think it’s important because diversity on its own can only serve optics, inclusion is making sure that people’s voices are being heard, being in the conversation, not just the topic of the conversation.” — Massah David
On creating real change…
“Bring us in the room because it’s great for optics but if you’re not hearing from us nothing is going to change.” — Miatta David Johnson
“If they understand this will affect their profits that’s what is going to create a change.” — Miatta David Johnson
On how to make real change in large companies...
“Make sure the right people are in the room. To have diversity conversations without white male founders is pointless. Unless you bring the decision-makers into the room nothing will change.” — Sahara Pynes
“It's easy to bring people in the door, but you have to get them to stay and feel like they’re a contributor.” — Sahara Pynes
“Leadership has to start from the top. There has to be accountability at the top as well. There have to be regular check-ins.” — Sahara Pynes
On the importance of advocacy…
“Leadership lending a hand is important to the discussion. We are all a group. It’s important to me that I'm reaching out to all women, all ethnicities. I’m not boxing myself into such a narrow group that I'm ultimately not including someone else.” — Bhavagna Bhattiprolu
“I think allies are so, so important. I think the way we have to look at it is we are all a group. I see it as I am a woman of color who has had a certain level of success and it’s important to me that I’m reaching out.” — Bhavagna Bhattiprolu
“Get people trained so they can handle these roles.” — Bhavagna Bhattiprolu
On diverse representation...
“I grew up in a world where I consumed so much content where people didn’t look like me. It’s really exciting to be in a time where people have different perspectives represented.” — Bhavagna Bhattiprolu
On her work impacting the next generation…
“Truly one of my life missions now is to give the next generation of girls growing up what I'm learning now in my 30’s. I look back to when I was young and I didn’t feel worthy of being in any room or any table.” — Ally Maki
“Providing a seat for these girls and changing the narrative inspires everything I do because I sometimes still see myself as that eight-year-old girl who didn’t belong.” — Ally Maki
“Bring us in the room because it’s great for optics but if you’re not hearing from us nothing is going to change. — Miatta David Johnson”
Panel: Modern Activism: Exploring the Role of Diversity, Inclusion & Politics in the Workplace
Where: The NYC Conference 2019
Panelists:
Nabela Noor | Content Creator, Activist, and Public Speaker
Halima | Model & Activist
Hunter McGrady | Model & Activist
Denise Bidot | Model & Activist
Lindsay Peoples Wagner | Editor-In-Chief, Teen Vogue
Nikki Ogunnaike | GQ Deputy Fashion Director (former Style Director, ELLE)
Moderator:
Heather Records | former VP of Marketing, Create & Cultivate
On including activism in the workplace…
“Pretty much every meeting I go into, most people know I’m the only black editor-in-chief in the US. That’s really hard because there really isn’t leadership above me that has done what I’m trying to do. There isn’t a blueprint. You just gotta push.” — Lindsay Peoples Wagner
“I feel like if I don’t say something, and I don’t speak up, no one else will.” — Lindsay Peoples Wagner
“Just stand up for what you want. Go, be bold” — Denise Bidot
“Before, models were just models, and now we’re activists. We should be held accountable for our actions.” — Denise Bidot.
“We have to talk about culture and what women really need. If we’re not doing that, we’re not doing our jobs.” — Lindsay Peoples Wagner
“Be what you needed when you were younger.” — Lindsay Peoples Wagner
On diversifying the workplace…
“The onus to effect change often falls on women of color, but women who’ve helped me most are the whole women in the room who’ve said, ‘No, this is not OK.’ It’s not just on the people of color to bang down that door, it’s really on the people who don’t look like us to bring us along with them to help diversify that room and that table.” — Nikki Ogunnaike
“Who you chose to align yourself with is a really big indicator in what you believe in” — Nabela Noor
In response to people who say “we don’t see color” …
“I need you to see color. I need you to see it, to understand it, to get comfortable with it.” —Nikki Ogunnaike
In response to people in corporate America…
“People need to get comfortable with the uncomfortable and I think corporate America isn’t there yet. There aren’t a lot of people at the top who aren’t white males. My biggest marching order for myself is to help diversify that space.” —Nikki Ogunnaike
“There’s this saying, ‘Ignore the bullies.’ I don’t believe in that or think it’s helpful for the world to change. I’m going to face them head-on and tell them I love myself.” —Nabela Noor
“I need you to see color. I need you to see it, to understand it, to get comfortable with it. —Nikki Ogunnaike”
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