Actress Jackee Harry From ‘227’ and ‘Sister, Sister’ Comes Out In Support Of Reparations Specifically For ADOS
Actress Jackee Harry of “227” and “Sister, Sister” fame is using her star power to advocate for reparations for Black Americans.
“I believe that the window this time for, I call it guilt-money, and by that I mean specifically, if they want to make some changes … in systemic racism in the United States of America, we have to get the money towards the programs that get us some money too,” Harry said. “They gon’ have to roll out some dough, some trillions and give these kids some opportunities.”
Harry made the comments during an episode of Vivica Fox’s podcast. Initially, she included “people of color, Black people and Asian people” in her comments about who should get reparations.
I’m advocating for reparations. And the window of opportunity might be right now, at the height of the #BlackLivesMatter movement. We need a program that gets money back into communities of color.
After getting some feedback from many members of American Descendants of Slavery (ADOS), Harry clarified she is supporting reparations for Black Americans descended from slaves specifically, but also supports mitigating poverty for disadvantaged groups in general.
“Seems I upset a few people with the language used here, so let me clarify: I support reparations for ADOS. Separately, I support a fix to the failure that was The War on Poverty. I believe both are needed to better address systemic racism in this country.” Harry wrote.
With “Sister, Sister” now available on Netflix to stream, Harry is experiencing a resurgence in her popularity. She thanked fans for supporting the show almost three decades after it first aired.
“So honored that our little old show is getting as much love today as it did 26 years ago when it premiered. We’re in the top 3! Thanks to everyone watching #SisterSister on Netflix!” Harry tweeted.
ADOS has been passionately pushing a reparations agenda and is garnering more and more support for its movement.
According to Magellan AI, 10 advertisers spent more than $1 million on podcast advertising in July 2020 alone. This spending will continue to grow. That is one of the reasons Spotify signed exclusive deals with Kim Kardashian West, Michelle Obama, and Joe Rogan, reportedly paying $100 million for exclusive rights to The Joe Rogan Experience. Podcasts can serve as entertainment, but the real benefit comes through the education and insights of more complex topics.
How to Use Podcasts for Business Growth
When I launched the Target Market Insights: Multifamily + Marketing Podcast, I was hoping to learn how successful multifamily investors were finding the best places to invest. I was able to answer that question, not just for me but also for others seeking the same insights. Since then, I’ve expanded the show to highlight the marketing challenges people face as real estate investors, entrepreneurs, and business professionals.
Some shows appeal to a broad audience, covering a wide range of interests. This approach is often to garner more subscriptions and downloads. However, downloads and plays will not determine success. The ability to build trust with potential customers will drive success.
For this reason, you should consider using podcasts for business growth and reaching new customers. Unlike other mediums, there are multiple opportunities to grow your business through podcasts. Below are four ways you can leverage podcasts to nurture skills, implement strategies, drive awareness, and attract more business.
Listen to Business Podcasts
The easiest way to leverage podcasts is to listen to them. The audio quality of top-rated shows rivals the production found on mainstream radio. Unlike reading a book, you can listen to shows during your morning routine, commute, or workout. And you can listen across different devices like your computer, tablet, smartphone, or smart speaker. Start with specific episodes that address specific questions or challenges. Subscribe to shows geared toward relevant topics.
Many business podcasts attract top entrepreneurs, professionals, and investors who openly share their insights to help you grow your business. These shows are both educational and entertaining. Find shows and episodes that will help you attract new clients, improve your operations, and improve your profitability. It should be noted that the real value is implementing the tips, not just listening to the episodes. Make it a point to identify and implement key insights that will have a positive impact on your business.
Advertise on Podcasts
While major brands are spending on podcast advertising, there is plenty of room for smaller businesses and entrepreneurs. If you have a clearly defined target audience, it is easy to find shows that appeal to that demographic. For example, say you make accounting software; you can find top accounting podcasts like Cloud Accounting Podcast and get in front of a dedicated audience of people who are likely interested in using accounting software. Running an ad campaign on these shows will allow you to put a message in front of a highly targeted audience. And because those listeners are listening to podcasts, you know they are looking to learn or grow and will be open to products or services that can aid them on their journey.
Podcast advertising rates can vary widely, but most shows are flexible and can work within your budget. When exploring costs, you will want to know the CPM (or cost per thousand). CPM is a standard rate used to measure the cost to reach 1,000 people. The average CPM for podcasts is $18 for a 30-second ad and $25 for a 60-second ad, according to AdvertiseCast. Note that these costs will vary greatly based on the show and the perceived value of the targeted audience.
Become a Podcast Guest
Many podcasts are interview-based and accept qualified guests. Being a guest on a podcast is an excellent way to generate awareness of your brand, service, or product. To start, make a list of the top-rated shows for your category or industry. Some firms assist with booking guests, but you can also reach out directly. In most cases, all you have to do is find the show’s website link on Apple Podcast or Spotify, then contact them via email if you do not see a guest application form. It helps to put together a media kit or pitch sheet to highlight your expertise and topics you can cover. This makes it easy for a host to know if you are a fit to book for the show.
When preparing to be a guest on a podcast, be sure to listen to a few episodes ahead of time to get a sense of the show’s format and the host’s personality. Prepare a few talking points to help you stand out and deliver value to the listener. Think about what your ideal audience is struggling with and share a few tips to help them. Remember, the audience wants to get value from the discussion, not hear an extended sales pitch for your business. If you deliver enough value, listeners will want to get in touch with you so make it easy to capture these new leads by sharing the best contact method.
Launch Your Own Podcast
The most impactful way to leverage podcasts for business growth is to launch your own show. Granted, it requires a commitment and some equipment to get a show off the ground. Audiences crave content and the best podcasts deliver. Top-rated podcasts know who they help, the content they seek, and have a unique perspective to share. It helps to be genuinely curious about a topic and develop interviewing skills that will capture the interest of your followers.
I’ve interviewed over 200 guests and have seen the benefits in our business as I established more credibility in the industry. The benefits of having your own show include building awareness for your personal brand or business, attracting new clients, learning and networking with guests, invitations to speak or write for larger events and publications, and adding an additional revenue stream.
If you are considering launching a show, it’s worth noting that most podcasts don’t make it to 20 episodes. Many podcasters underestimate the time commitment needed to develop and produce a quality show consistently. It may be better to start with one of the other options before deciding to launch your own show so you can get a good feel for the impact the platforms can have on your business.
Of the 100 million monthly podcast listeners, your ideal client is listening and waiting to hear how you and your product or service can solve their needs. Now is the time to tap into podcasts to grow your business.
Meet Yvette Kendall A Rarity in the Science Fiction Content Creation Game
As a Black woman science fiction writer/content creator, Yvette Kendall is the definition of a rarity. Kendall is the author of The GOD Maps series and also the creator of the new sci-fi sub-genre Biblical futurism.
Owner of her own publishing company, Stravard Lux Publishing House, Kendall will be publishing her brand of zombie anthologies named The American Zombie Chronicles and a children’s book called A Zombie For Mommy!
BLACK ENTERPRISE got the opportunity to talk to Kendall about what motivated her to become involved with the sci-fi genre and her future plans.
How rare is it for a Black woman to be engulfed in the science fiction genre as a writer and creator? What motivated you to be involved in it and what keeps your creativity going?
People say that I’m a rare occurrence in that I’m fully immersed in the concepts of science fiction and futurism in my daily life. My previous vocation was that of an inventor and product developer. Science fiction is the breath of innovation. Whether it is a three-dimensional product or building a new universe with words, it has been part of my everyday experience.
I’m motivated by the stories that present themselves to me in such a complete and demanding manner. I feel that being a Black woman in any time period (past, present, or future) makes me and other women like me an indispensable demographic. Our stories orchestrate energies that shape and mold new paths. We have a say in what this world will look like in the future because it cannot exist without us.
Being the first female writer for a zombie anthology under Caliber Comics, how did that accomplishment happen and what should we anticipate in the future?
Social media is a powerful tool! Networking and sharing my sci-fi novel online are invaluable. I was approached by someone on Facebook that has a comic book company that publishes through Caliber. He asked if I had ever written zombie horror before. Up until that point, I had never ever read a comic book. He urged me to try my hand at it, and I agreed.
Within the next few days, I had written 12 unique stories that blew him away! The catalog that I created was more than they needed at the time. Always thinking ahead, I began my own anthology in the same genre.
That decision gave birth to The American Zombie Chronicles. As I move forward, my schedule is to finish the trilogy of The GOD Maps, and put artists in place to formalize my new comic book line. I have several other mind-bending stories on tap that I’m writing as well like The Revelation Activation and another brand of spooky comics called The Conspiracy Theory Horror Edition.
How difficult is it for a Black woman trying to break into the sci-fi genre? What do you think it will take to make it less so?
I believe that the difficulties arise when our stories are read by people whose experiences are not reflected on those pages. When they can’t relate or when the content is too honest to digest, there can be an authority-ladened kickback.
That kickback can come in the form of unfavorable reviews or open protests of your work. As a sci-fi writer of color, you may be reprimanded for taking latitudes that other writers would otherwise be praised for. There’s a need to have people that understand your background intrinsically and to aid in telling of your stories.
I feel that the solvent for this issue rests in having more people of color in key creative spaces. People like Ava DuVernay, Regina King, and Shonda Rhimes, to name a few. Because they are pioneers, these women are integral in expanding the scope of our work.
What’s next for Yvette Kendall? Is there anything in the works that you’d like to speak of?
The future is really bright for me at the moment! I’m in talks right now to turn my flagship novel The GOD Maps, Volume One into a television series. I’m super excited about that recent development!
I’m also working hard to have the new sub-genre that I created called Biblical futurism recognized globally in the writing and film industries. It’s important to me because it’s the very genre that I employ to write my novels.
Biblical futurism has gained a following since its conception. Besides that, I have published a children-friendly zombie book series. The first book is on shelves now and it’s called A Zombie For Mommy!
What advice would you give to the little Black girl who wants to follow in your footsteps or the Black woman who is already entrenched in sci-fi but wants to advance to the next steps for her?
My advice would be to write daily, even if it’s just a paragraph. Books are nothing but a congregation of paragraphs that complement each other. Instituting this habit will allow your creative forces to grow. Another thing is to not focus on particular writing styles set by others.
There’s no right or wrong way to communicate your vision. Science fiction (by loose definition) is a broad field without set parameters. Don’t be afraid to go against the prescribed norms in order to find your voice.
For the ladies that are in the midst of it all, my suggestion is to find a team that believes in you and your vision. Put effort into providing quality content and imagery. It may be unfair, but books are judged by their covers and their titles. Protect your intellectual property with copyrights, trademarks, and other branding methods.
Be sure to “market … market …market,” and never forget to network strategically. That way, when the opportunity comes, it will be glad that it found you and not the other way around!
Last but not least, recognize that you are enough, that your voice matters, and that “YOU” matter.
Baby Boomers More Comfortable Returning To Office Than Millennials as COVID-19 Lingers
In an astonishing revelation, baby boomers feel safer going back to their offices than millennials even as COVID-19 continues to spread, according to a new Clutch survey.
Some 59% of employees over 55 would feel safe returning to their office, compared with 53% of workers both age 35-55 and under 35. The finding is thought-provoking as news reports have suggested that boomers are among the groups most likely to face problems from the coronavirus pandemic.
A ratings and review firm, Clutch’ recently surveyed surveyed 400 U.S. workers.
Even if the difference is slight, Clutch Editorial Manager Shelby Jordan told Black Enterprise she thinks the discovery is extremely shocking given older employees’ increased susceptibility to the virus. She is unsure why. But Jordan says that maybe while millennials are not as concerned for their own safety, they are more concerned about the safety of those around them. For example, they would be hesitant to return to the office because they could catch the virus and put those around them—like parents and friends—in danger.
“Based on my past report, I do think companies are doing a great job of accommodating their workspaces to make their staff feel safe, Jordan says. “This could explain nearly even numbers across all age groups.”
The gap between boomers and millennials isn’t the only difference. In terms of location, the survey revealed that people in the Midwest (64%) would feel safe working from their office in this stage of the pandemic. That’s compared with 56% of Southern employees, 45% of Western employees, and 36% of Northeastern employees.
“I think the Midwest feels safer going back to work because the region features a more spread-out landscape—it is easier to remain socially distant,” Jordan says.
Other findings indicated most employees (55%) would feel safe working from their office at this point in the pandemic, and just 32% would feel unsafe. The rest fall in the middle.
Some (82%) of the American workforce is comfortable commuting to work safely amid COVID-19, which is understandable given that 84% of employees drive to work alone.
About 75% of employees concur that private office spaces are the safest office layout, but only 1 in 5 have that option. The most popular floor plan today is a mixed office space (42%) that combines private spaces with communal areas.
The survey further showed that the pandemic highlighted some factors that suggest remote work will be a more popular and accepted alternative after COVID-19.
While almost all employees feel safe commuting to their office, working from home offers time back in their day to spend with friends and family or simply relax. Plus, some workers report their home office set-up is just as comfortable and productive as their desk at company headquarters.
Urban cities and rural areas have faced different obstacles in managing the spread of COVID-19, leaving some regions more ready to return to work than others. However, American employees have recognized the benefits of working from home over working in a traditional office.
Interestingly, all age groups in the U.S. workforce have a consistent perception of safety in the office. The survey indicated over half of each generation would feel safe returning to work. Still, some employees are concerned about the ages of co-workers, family, and friends around them.
This Black Woman Entrepreneur Is Teaching People How To Heal Through Breathing
The business of wellness has become increasingly popular over the last several years due to the trend of more Americans becoming conscious of their mental health. For the Black community, racial trauma along with other factors can contribute to more Black Americans dealing with anxiety and depression. One Black woman decided to create a series of workshops to help other Black women cope with their anxieties through breathing sessions.
Jasmine Marie is the founder of Black Girls Breathing, a special workshop series for Black women to practice breathwork, a type of breathing exercise or technique used to improve mental health. Marie found that this type of wellness exercise was critical for Black women who face their own set of challenges.
“After practicing breathwork and incorporating the tool into my life (while experiencing the many up’s and down’s of various chapters) for 4.5 years, I decided to get my breathwork training. During training, I noticed the lack of diversity in our groups (not uncommon for the wellness industry) and thought even more how this work isn’t really known in the Black community or accessible,” said Marie in an email interview with BLACK ENTERPRISE.
“I created Black Girls Breathing when I didn’t see any organizations focusing on bringing this work specifically for us while knowing the power of this tool and how Black people suffer from the highest rates of chronic stress and the related physical ailments related to it.”
Unlike mediation, breathwork can be described as an active practice that lets a person control their breathing, which can be used to boost immunity, enrich creativity, and reduce stress levels. For Marie, it was important to bring diversity in this space that is typically predominantly white to help Black women with their healing journeys.
“Black women have different experiences than non-Black women of color and white women,” she added.”It was important for me to acknowledge that our particular lived experiences and how the world perceives us has an impact on our mental health and create an environment that addresses that reality and offers tools to help us work through and heal through that.”
Customers can book virtual sessions amid the COVID-19 pandemic to take part in group sessions. Marie says in addition to healing in their own individuals, the sessions have also created a safe space for Black women to convene and feel relaxed.
“Most of the Black women who experience it once, come back and have begun to develop a practice. Now more than ever we’re seeing how lack of insurance and low-income due to layoffs have caused additional stress on top of the everyday stress felt of being Black,” said Marie.
“Our community has been so grateful that we’ve made the core of our work available in an accessible way. We’ve begun to host some sessions with a licensed therapist so the community benefits from traditional talk therapy + somatic healing (healing of the body). We look forward to expanding our work so more Black womxn can experience this powerful tool.”
Finding Out What’s Next for Naturi Naughton and Tasha St. Patrick
Naturi Naughton is the definition of success. She has worked for everything she has been able to accomplish. She has built the drive, tenacity, and the wherewithal to be able to conquer in such challenging times. She has definitely stood the test of time in an industry that is forever changing. The businesswoman and the philanthropist that she has grown into is because she took the lemons that she was given and made lemonade. Black Enterprise had the opportunity to meet and speak with this powerhouse of a woman.
What do you have going on currently?
Well, preparing for the spin-off of Power, staying focused on my faith, being a good mother to my 3-year-old daughter, enhancing my relationships, and continuously working in my goals. I went back to my first love, which is my music; just finding my voice again. For the rest of the year, I just want to stay healthy and do good work. Hopefully, I will direct and produce my own projects. I’m really working on producing more stories for our people. I would like to get more involved behind the scenes of filmmaking in another year or so.
What have you learned from being a businesswoman on Power?
I’ve learned so much! Not just from Power, but from the transitioning from the music industry. Things like:
Sometimes it’s OK to let the other person be right. You don’t have to fight to be right.
In business, sometimes you will have to do things you don’t want to do and that make you feel uncomfortable.
Be patient.
You will have to work with people that are not kind, have bad energies, are not easy to work with.
Although Power is widely successful, it is not all of who I am. You can’t let any business or career dictate you or your happiness. I think that is so important.
What advice would you give to that woman who wants to give up, who has no more fight in her?
There are no shortcuts to success. I literally was that woman living in L.A. I wasn’t making any money. I wasn’t working for about two years. There was a dry spell in the industry. I’m not going to lie to you, there are going to be moments when you do feel like giving up. There are going to be moments when you are not chosen, when you are not going to be successful. Anything that is great will be met with challenges. So, when you do get something, you have a great appreciation for it because you put in the work. Pray for strength! There may be a reason why you’re being blocked, why it isn’t working out for you. Just being aware that everyone has their time. And soon your time will come.
I grew up in the inner city. We have fed over a hundred families in different cities. We fed well over 500 families in Brooklyn alone. We coupled with a restaurant here in Brooklyn so that they could stay afloat in the midst of this COVID/pandemic crisis. We’ve fed over 10,000 people in New Jersey. Simply, my foundation is a place where people can go if they have a need. Obviously, I can’t fill every need, but I can do my part.
Eventually, my foundation will have a summer workshop that helps to find artists, actors, entertainers. We will have classes and have others in the industry come and speak with them. They will get the tools needed for entertainment. It takes education and talent.
Dr. Jessica Mosley is a serial entrepreneur who loves teaching fellow CEO women how to show up in their truth & power. As Steward Owner of MizCEO Entrepreneurial Media Brand, Sovereign Care Home Care, Sovereign Care Medical Training Center, and Deborah’s Place for Battered Women, Jessica is busy making moves that impact her community & those connected to her.
Black Entrepreneur Gets Saucy, Signs Deals With 30 Grocery Stores
Reggie D. Smith, founder of one of the fastest-growing Black-owned line of gourmet sauces called STL Pure Heat, started out creating delicious meals for just his friends and family. Now, however, he is the owner and CEO of one of the hottest food products in the country.
Based in St. Louis, Missouri, STL Pure Heat is a perfect mix of flavor and heat that flawlessly blends peppers, spices, and locally sourced vegetables into one sweet and tangy marinade. His sauces can be used to transform meats and seafood dishes into authentic, at-home culinary delights for dipping as a marinade or as a meal topper.
Made locally in small batches with all-natural ingredients, the sauces have only 40 calories per serving and are available in three different flavors – Sweet & Spicy, Sweet & Mild, and Garlic Heat. Each bottle has a unique blend of sweetness with a nice kick of your desired heat. Reggie makes it extremely easy for foodies to go beyond the ordinary hot sauce and jazz up their next dish with creativity.
Especially during grilling season, professional and family chefs can show off their talents at the grill and embellish their perfectly seared steaks and burgers with flavorful sauces that reflect the taste of true southern roots.
Reggie says that it was during one of his other business ventures when he discovered that he had created an amazing sauce that everyone enjoyed. He takes pride in using local small businesses to manufacture and package his products and says that it is important for him to see his community flourish.
His sauces can be purchased at more than 30 grocery stores across the nation or online at STLPureHeat.com.
Political Analyst Bakari Sellers to Address What Biden’s Policies Would Mean for Black America
In the midst of this historic election year, Black Americans are facing the compounding crises of a global pandemic, police brutality, record-high unemployment, and targeted voter suppression.
To unpack this pivotal moment, BLACK ENTERPRISE partnered with Be Heard Talk, an award-winning talk show that adds a taste of hip hop, Assata Shakur, and spice to unseasoned news. Each Sunday, the Be Heard Talk team — Selena Hill, Digital Editor at BLACK ENTERPRISE; Stanley Fritz, the New York State Political and Campaigns Director at Citizen Action of New York; and Tammie David, a community organizer – will hold live conversations with elected officials, organizers, political leaders, and surrogates from the Biden campaign about this era-defining election.
This week, CNN political analysts, best-selling author, and attorney Bakari Sellers will join the team to discuss the impact that Joe Biden’s policies and politics will specifically have on people of color. The series, which is part of BLACK ENTERPRISE’s “Our Voice Our Vote” 2020 election coverage, kicked off on September 13 with LaTosha Brown, the co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund. During her appearance, she stressed the importance and the power of the Black vote.
Sellers made history in 2006 when he was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives at the age of 22. This made him the youngest African American to win a public office at the time. After eight years in office, he ran for Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina in 2014 and lost. In 2018, he released the documentary While I Breathe, I Hopethat chronicles his losing bid for lieutenant governor.
In May the Morehouse graduate published the memoir My Vanishing Country at the age of 35.
Watch Bakari Sellers’ live interview on “Be Heard Talk” this Sunday, September 20 starting at 2 p.m. EST by registering here. You can also view and leave comments during the live show via Black Enterprise’s Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or YouTube page.
Trump Announces Federal ‘1776 Commission’ To Promote ‘Patriotic Education’
President Trump announced a federal “1776 Commission” to promote “patriotic education” Thursday while accusing Joe Biden and The New York Times of warping history.
Trump talked up the commission during a speech he gave at the National Archives marking the anniversary of the Constitution’s signing. Trump said Democrats and the Times’ “1619 Project” are promoting an inaccurate version of U.S. history by over-emphasizing race and the legacy of slavery.
“I will soon sign an executive order establishing a national commission to promote patriotic education. It will be called the ‘1776 Commission,’” Trump said according to the New York Post.
Trump added the commission “will encourage our educators to teach your children about the miracle of American history and make plans to honor the 250th anniversary of our founding” in 2026.
Trump has had issues with the Times‘ 1619 project, a series of articles arguing that 1619, the date the first slave ship arrived in the American colonies, is the true date of America’s founding rather than 1776. The 1619 project received praise for challenging ideas and exposing a part of America’s history that is largely hidden in history books. However, the project was also criticized as poorly written and reasoned.
Since the project was published, Trump has attacked it, threatening to pull federal funding from schools that teach it, even though he does not have the authority to do so. Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom Cotton has introduced legislation preventing American schools from teaching the curriculum.The legislation, titled the “Saving American History Act of 2020,” would prohibit the use of federal funds to teach the 1619 Project by K-12 schools or school districts. Schools that teach the 1619 Project would also be ineligible for federal professional-development grants.
“The left has warped, distorted and defiled the American story with deceptions, falsehoods and lies. There’s no better example than the New York Times’ totally discredited 1619 Project,” Trump continued.
The 1619 Project “rewrites American history to teach our children that we were founded on the principle of oppression, not freedom. Nothing could be further from the truth. America’s founding set in motion the unstoppable chain of events that abolished slavery, secured civil rights, defeated communism and fascism and built the most fair, equal and prosperous nation in human history.”
Trump also threw a jab at Biden announcing he would erect a monument to Delaware Founding Father Caesar Rodney in the National Garden of American Heroes—a garden Trump announced in July when activists and protesters were pulling down historical statues.
A statue of Rodney was taken down from a square in Wilmington, Delaware, Biden’s hometown, earlier this summer.
Rodney, a Delaware delegate suffering from cancer, rode 70 miles on a horse to Philadelphia to cast a tie-breaking vote for independence before the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. He was also a slave owner.
“Joe Biden said nothing as to his home state’s history and the fact that it was dismantled and dismembered,” Trump said. “Today America will give this founding father, this very brave man who was so horribly treated, the place of honor he deserves.”
Lowe’s and Shark Tank’s Daymond Are Hosting A Virtual Pitch Challenge For Diverse Small Businesses
Since the beginning of the year, numerous companies have launched different initiatives to promote more diversity within their workforce and the clients they do business with. This week, retail giant, Lowe’s, announced that they will be teaming up with investor and Shark Tank judge Daymond John for a new virtual pitch challenge to help small businesses from diverse backgrounds get their products onto the retailer’s shelves.
The “Making It With Lowe’s” pitch challenge will go on from Sept. 15th – 25th where businesses can apply for the chance to pitch their brand to John and a team of Lowe’s executives to have their products sold at the major retailer.
“Prior to COVID-19, Lowe’s was making efforts with its grant program to onboard more diversity and [offer more opportunities to] diverse suppliers,” said John in an exclusive interview with BLACK ENTERPRISE.
“Whether I’m on Shark Tank or I’m in the private sector, I love bringing the spotlight to deserving people with great products and who are putting companies together…they came up with this idea to go out there and highlight these [entrepreneurs] digitally on our platforms and in stores then let’s get deeper and invest some mentorship and time into the ones that really rise to the top.”
The program has already started and through Sept. 25, diverse small business owners can apply. Lowe’s will start by identifying an initial 375 small businesses, and then the pool will narrow down to 75. Those selected will be invited to submit more in-depth stories via video. It will also provide a shot at gleaning mentoring, advice, and support from the FORTUNE® 50 retailer.
“To know that 375 people or companies will have the ability to be highlighted in some form I think that makes it unique knowing that the net is spread really wide,” John added. “Knowing that these entrepreneurs will be able to pitch Lowe’s executives directly and be able to tell their stories is unique.”
“When Lowe’s introduced our grant program for minority-, women- and rural-owned small businesses impacted by the pandemic earlier this year, we were humbled by the overwhelming response for the grants and we were impressed by the creativity, passion, and vision from hundreds of thousands of applicants—and we instantly knew we wanted to do more,” said Lowe’s President and CEO Marvin R. Ellison in a press release.
“Offering our customers greater access to products being created by diverse small business owners allows Lowe’s digital and physical shelves nationwide to better reflect the diverse communities we serve and ensures our customers have access to the most innovative and valued home improvement products in the marketplace,” Ellison continued.
The search will end with a one-day virtual pitch challenge which will be hosted by John where five of the diverse small business owners will pitch their product “live” to Ellison and other Lowe’s executives for the chance to become a Making It… With Lowe’s small business partner. John will mentor the group as they prepare for their biggest pitch ever.
The finalists will be announced and featured on Lowes.com later this year, and the Making It … With Lowe’s results will be revealed on Lowe’s social channels in early 2021.
