It’s Friday! The workweek (for some) is over and the focus is on relaxation and fun. Relaxation and fun, however, literally represents billions of dollars changing hands this weekend. With billions of dollars moving, someone is bound to strike it rich this weekend. Our focus should be making sure Black entrepreneurs are among the fortunate. More urgently, the racism we so often complain of is weakened when we don’t hand our dollars to racists or people who are indifferent to Black suffering — no one can oppress you unless you give them the money to do it. Here are some weekend alternatives to keep your dollar circulating in the Black community.
Netflix or KweliTv?
Netflix and chill (literally) is always a great option when looking to unwind from a stressful week. Netflix started in 1998 with 30 employees and 925 DVDs available for rent. As their subscribers grew they were able to start producing their own content, like House of Cards. House 0f Cards was so well received that it, a show from a streaming service, won an Emmy award in 2013. KweliTv is a Black owned streaming service featuring original content for and by Black people. Just as Netflix grew into a $100 billion business that now has the freedom to produce its own award-winning content, we could chill this weekend with our own platform and watch it grow such that it can shake up the industry, just as Netflix has done.
Meet Me at the Carwash
Sometimes we make things much harder than they need to be. We can literally shift millions of dollars back into our community through the most mundane purchases. I’m guessing that most of you who own a car need a wash about now. Have you made it a point to find a Black owned car wash? A thriving car wash business will create employment opportunities for low skill workers in our community and those who are hard to employ because of prior criminal offenses. A car wash creates jobs for folks who sorely need one and who, regardless of their education level, can surely wash dirt off your hood. It could be that you can’t find a brick and mortar but if there’s a guy with a bucket willing to wash in the community, with consistent clientele he could develop the business in the future.
Black Owned Restaurant, Anyone?
Everyone — and I mean everyone — likes to eat out on the weekend. Just in your neighborhood alone, thousands will be spent in a matter of hours tonight, for sure. But where will it all go? Who will be able to send their kids to college based on our purchases? Black people brought soul and season to America’s culinary landscape, this is undeniable. So it baffles me that so many of us don’t think our restaurants are worthy of our dollars today. Make it a point this weekend to eat at least one meal at a restaurant owned by and employing folks who look like us. Rather than complaining Monday about how the servers were racist — at the restaurant you happily gave your money to — do something a little different and spend with your own people.
There are any number of things you can do this weekend to have a good time, while buying Black. Those purchases can be super enjoyable while also investing in Black jobs and wealth. Buying Black doesn’t always have to feel so serious; this weekend do it for the culture and do it for a really good time!
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