I’m very proud of the work I’ve managed to do with Black Like Us, but I now realize I went into this naively thinking that others who say they support Black people would be invested in the work too.

Let alone thinking that the platform would be attacked for using the word Black in the title or using that word would impact getting support or sponsorship from companies, businesses and organizations.

When I say Black, most of them run before checking out the content we produce.

That’s why when a major RV dealership showed interest in wanting to sponsor the motorhome for Black Like Us, I was excited. For months I had been told “no” so many times or ignored.

A proposal submission, a few emails, some phone calls, and then I was ready to meet with the social media team to hash out the details and expectations for the journey.

The social media meeting never happened. I received an email saying they decided to go another route. Of course, I had to ask, did I do something?

The answer was no. They wanted to do another Black project first and for me to try again later this year. I was eventually told that they didn’t want to do two Black projects at once. It didn’t matter that they were different projects with different goals. What mattered was that they were both focused on Black people.

Now, I understand all too well that people can tell you no. I really don’t have a problem with that. I’ve been told “no” so many times that it literally just rolls off my back most days as if it were nothing, which is problematic in itself. (I shouldn’t make that normal.)

But what bothers me is the idea that there is only space for one Black initiative at a time. If that’s the case, there is no real investment in Black people, businesses, organizations, or communities.

With the movement to focus on DEI and BIPOC-led initiatives, there have been so many dollars poured into organizations that are not really doing the work. They are instead giving the illusion of investment.

I don’t want to see Black people fighting to be in spaces, stepping on each other while chasing our goals in hopes that we are the chosen ones in the room. The thought of it is more like a nightmare for me.

There’s only so much I can do. I can be vocal about it, work for change and exercise the power I do have.

As a consumer, I know the power of the Black dollar. I don’t know how this journey will end, but I do know that I keep adding business after business to my list of “do not support.”

I said I would be transparent about the journey. I’ve been holding this one in for about a month. It made me reexamine my strategy. That’s okay.

I’m still trying to figure this out, but it will happen.

With love,

Jiquanda