I thought to myself, I don't think your competition is with Muslims or Buddhists, etc. I think your challenge is to draw our people from mostly white-owned establishments who choose them especially because they are white. Anyway, I laughingly said to myself. I am not going to hold either against you. In fact, that you are Black-owned pushes me to you today.
Yes, I am pushing myself more to buy Black, and not just when it is comfortable or feels right, especially when it feels not-so-right.
The market of thrift is mine. I consider myself an excellent, seasoned shopper. I know how to shop this market and get what I want at the best price. I don't buy items that I must repair or that I will use when I lose weight, retire or when the Lord comes, etc. I get what I want and need and most often feel very fulfilled in my purchases. So, I already have shops in mind, online stops, bartering options, etc. Not one of them is a Black-owned business. I push myself to find yard sales in my community -- no regular businesses though. The few that I have patronized in the past have closed. Why? Probably because I did not support enough, and enough of my kind did not.
So, I looked with eyes that said, "There are items in here for me." I was happy to hear about the 24% discount, and I pushed myself to pay a little more if needed. I found two beautiful vases. I love fresh cut flowers and was in the market for a beautiful vase as a wedding gift for our (AYA's) science teacher. She is going to love it, and she will love it more knowing that I purchased it from a Black-owned business.
Ringing me up, the sister must have added 25% to the sale price. I helped her figure it all out, and she expressed sincere gratitude. I also suggested that she get herself onto the Around the Way app so more of us can find her. It's a smart phone app that will let you know our businesses that are closest to you. Go to: http://aroundthewayapp.com/.
Also, join me in Buying from only Black-owned establishments during the month of February, 2014.
My daughter Ife and some comrades of hers at Bennett College are kicking this out. 28 Days of Black.
