June 11, 2020
Mid-week Inspiration: Carving Space with Black Creatives featuring Sierra Simone
Instagram: @sierrasimonexo | @aconvowithfriends
Occupation: Stylist
Location: NYC
How have you been staying inspired and uplifted during this time?
I have been staying inspired by other people –– more specifically black people, by the protests, art, music, nature, my ancestors, and rediscovery of myself. Many of us have grown up in inadequate environments and still become rose gardens. I am inspired by my people.
What are certain causes / types of organizations you may be interested in supporting?
One thing that has been important to me is amplifying black voices, especially at the polls.
Like any other investment, you want to think long-term. This is a marathon. I think the first thing to do is alleviate placing white guilt on your black peers and use it to fuel the following:
Occupation: Stylist
Location: NYC
How have you been staying inspired and uplifted during this time?
I have been staying inspired by other people –– more specifically black people, by the protests, art, music, nature, my ancestors, and rediscovery of myself. Many of us have grown up in inadequate environments and still become rose gardens. I am inspired by my people.
What are certain causes / types of organizations you may be interested in supporting?
One thing that has been important to me is amplifying black voices, especially at the polls.
- The Black Lives Matters Movement core mission is to build a world where Black lives are no longer systematically targeted for demise.
- Black Futures Lab –– Their mission is to engage Black voters year-round. They are committed to using their political strength to stop corporate influences from creeping into progressive policies –– and they plan to combine technology and traditional organizing methods to reach Black people anywhere and everywhere.
- NAACP Legal Defense Fund –– America’s premier legal organization fighting for racial justice.
- Campaign Zero –– they will take deliberate action by policymakers at every level of government to end police violence.
Like any other investment, you want to think long-term. This is a marathon. I think the first thing to do is alleviate placing white guilt on your black peers and use it to fuel the following:
- Invest in Black businesses/organizations with your time offer your services, patron, volunteer + donate, buy black, support black banks and business
- Have brainstorming sessions with your white peers –– have uncomfortable conversations with your family and do it with the thoughts to dismantle living in your privilege daily. Educate yourself, create a book club and read anti-racists texts such as "Stamped from the beginning," "On the other side of freedom," "White Fragility," "So you want to talk about race," and more...
- Lovingly engage your white peers that are not similarly minded (goal being that everyone understands structural racism in America historically, as well as how we practice it today)
- Vote on every level ( federal, state, and local levels )
- Sign Petitions
- Donate
- Call your reps/ email them
- Protest