White business owners, if you want racial equality and justice in the world, you must do something to contribute.
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” James Baldwin
As a business owner, who you are as a person is inextricably tied to your business. In many cases, you are the business.
You can actively participate and contribute to changing the system by being an anti-racist person and spreading the word to other white people and white business owners.
Saying you’re not a racist does not help. If you want to help, you need to take action and get involved against racism.
“In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be antiracist.” Angela Davis
I am not an expert on this, I am listening, learning, and contributing and I have a long way to go.
And I know the only way to help advance this cause is to begin.
I will make mistakes, you will make mistakes. Learn from them, acknowledge them, and keep going.
Being silent is not an option.
“In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Here are some ideas to get you started, there are many more. Be curious and continue the search. And please don’t ask Black people to help you, this is our work to do.
1) Educate Yourself and Others
As with most things, education is the foundation.
Educate yourself. Start with yourself and work your way out from there.
Use your voice to educate your family, children, and friends. Every voice counts.
Talk with the people running your schools and cities. Talk with your partners and business colleagues.
Listen, really listen to and hear the people who are already doing this work.
Buy Books
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee
How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith
Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
How to Be Anti-Racist by Ibram X. KendiI’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown
Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
How to Argue With a Racist by Dr. Adam Rutherford
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nihisi Coates
Follow Black Leaders on Social Media
Rachel Cargle
Austin Channing and listen to her on Brene Brown’s podcast and check out her show The Next Question
Layla F. Saad
Ibram X. Kendi and Listen to him on Brene Brown’s podcast and watch this TED Interview
Reni Eddo-Lodge
Additional Resources
Daily email to dismantle white supremacy, ANTI-RACISM DAILY.
The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture has an excellent resource for talking about race. And this article from the Smithsonian Magazine: 158 Resources to Understand Racism in America.
TED put together a list of TED talks to help you understand racism in America.
Here is a link to a list of additional resources: “This document is intended to serve as a resource to white people and parents to deepen our anti-racism work. If you haven’t engaged in anti-racism work in the past, start now. Feel free to circulate this document on social media and with your friends, family, and colleagues.”
2) Support Organizations
There are so many ways you can support organizations already doing the work to change the racist system and begin healing.
Here are some ideas:
The Loveland Foundation
National Bail Out
Campaign Zero
You can also support Black Business Owners by buying from them and recommending them to your clients.
Support comes in many forms: time, money, protesting, and energy.
You don’t have to do all of it. Do what you can, do something. And keep doing it.
3) Vote
If you don’t like how the elected people are running your schools, city, state, or country use your right to vote to elect someone else.
“Racial inequity is a problem of bad policy, not bad people.” Ibram X. Kendi, How to Be an Antiracist
Are you with me? If so, take action today. And tomorrow, and keep going.
Be consistent and persevere. Together we can work toward racial justice.
© Stephanie Ward
Stephanie Ward is the Marketing Coach for Entrepreneurs who want to create meaningful and prosperous businesses. Grab your FREE copy of the special report ’7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time’ plus business building tips, at: https://www.fireflycoaching.com.
Share your experiences, thoughts, and questions in the comments section below. I will continue to update this post with relevant information.
If you have additional ideas and resources to share you’re welcome to share them as well.
I respond to every single comment.
What action will you take?
Great post Stephanie. It is so true that it’s an individual journey and responsibility. Wonderful books you’ve shared as resources and YES to voting! Bad policy is at the crux of so many harmful racist outcomes. When we vote for change, we can help change policy!
Thank you, Naomi! Indeed, racist policies must be changed. Voting is so crucial.