I am a very proud black female.
I think we are the absolute SH*T! By me believing that we are so awesome does not mean that I think other females are not. I just love myself and by loving myself, I am a proud black female.
Just recently a Nielsen Report confirmed on paper what I always knew. There is power behind the black female.
“Corporations can’t afford not to pay attention to black women online anymore.”- Fortune.com, read it HERE!
But this post is not about the money and the fact that we lead in buying power but the fact that we are always looked down upon and yet we do hold it down. Starting about 6 months ago, I made a pact with myself to start putting my money back into the community. Not just by donating but by spending my leisure money with black businesses, focusing on black female owned. Why? Because every time I look in the mirror there is a black female staring back at me. Why wouldn’t I want to support my sisters.
And yes. Black women are each other’s sisters. We are in a community all of our own. Our experiences are unique to being a black woman. We have always had power but it is just now that the world is catching up to this knowledge.
In this post I want to highlight two of my favorite black female owned businesses- Ch0ked and Blake Porter Studio.
If you follow my blog you may remember that I modeled for Blake Porter before. I was rocking a fabulous blush colored skirt as a dress and I also wore a beautiful royal blue velvet bodysuit in the photoshoots. Rae just gets it. She is a young entrepreneur with a love for DC and a penchant for finding items that not only are affordable but look amazing on curvy gals. Oh and she has items for the single digit beauties as well.
It’s my suggestion you all head to her site and see this laced black and blue dress she has and tell me you aren’t amazed!
p.s. When I was the style expert on Great Day Washington, I wore this bad ass set too! The link to that will be below 🙂
The choker I am wearing in this outfit is from my new FAVE accessories shop, Ch0ked! I tend to wear statement pieces to elevate my mostly basic outfits and when the designer reached out to me on Instagram, I took a look at what they had to offer and SWOONED! There is absolutely NOTHING basic about these chokers and earrings. NOTHING!!!
If you want to make a statement and if you want to be a conversation starter, these are the accessories you need. Through text message conversations, I have had the opportunity to get to know the designer and am even more obsessed. I love kind hearted people who like to uplift and empower others and makes me WANT to spend my hard earned coins with them. Oh and talented ladies like her who handmake items!
Before I divulge the shooting info, I leave you with this. Support your community. Put money back into your community. Before going to fast fashion retailers, why not check out what your local entrepreneurs are selling or making. And because I love you all so much and Ch0ked is so awesome, here is a discount code to use when you order your next statement piece.
Use: Commecoco and get some money off!
Shoot Info
Location: A random Maryland Tag and Title place on Landover Road in Maryland.
Camera information: Canon 80d with a 35mm 2.0 Youngnuo lens
Photographer: 10th Letter Visuals
Watch my Great Day Washington Segment HERE
The Ch0ked Dominatrix and Pearl are calling my name and I loved that photoshoot with Blake Porter! Way to support others J!
I love this!! Black women are a force, if we don’t ride for each other, no one will. Not too long ago, maybe around July, I said I was going to start supporting more small owned Black businesses. I want to know that my money is making a difference and when I can, I buy directly from Black women. For now, all of my beauty needs are being met by amazing Black women I found on IG and I’m loving it.
I feel the exact same way. Supporting and building each other up is the best way to go. You should check out webuyblack.com
they have a great list of black owned businesses to buy from!