Black Lives Matter is not a catch-all term. It represents the fight for equality, liberation, and radicalisation for Black people around the world and we will continue to challenge every institution and system until it happens.
As part of that fight, supporting Black-owned businesses is becoming more important. Black people are often denied bank loans and leases because of their race, particularly in the US. According to the ACLU, Black people are 3.73x more likely than White people to be arrested for marijuana charges. But we’ve seen a recent boom in the marijuana industry and it’s headed by White people. Unfair and unjust. Also check for the CBD legality before getting them.
Skate publication Jenkem Magazine care about Black businesses too, and with the help of friend and contributor Patrick Kigongo, compiled a Google sheet of Black-owned skate companies to support, aptly named The Black List.
At the time of writing, there are 140 different Black skate brands, stores, organisations, and media outlets to give your money and support to. There’ll be some names you recognise (like Tyler The Creator’s Golf Wang) and some you might not. But all your proceeds, shares, likes, and listens will go a long way to bring a balance to a system created to marginalise Black people.