It seems that this season we're all in right now is full of an overwhelming amount of sad and angering news. I'm really hoping that things will start to change soon.

After the senseless and horrifying murder of George Floyd and many other black Americans, I was shook to the core. America is hurting and I want to be part of the group that helps it rebuild, heal, and move forward for the benefit of all.

On Black Tuesday, I decided that, instead of posting my regularly scheduled content or even posting a black square for #blackoutTuesday, I would spend time thinking hard about how I can be part of the solution. Even though my heart goes out to all those affected by and struggling to make sense of recent events, I didn't feel that posting a black square on #blackouttuesday was enough.

So I decided not to post anything in order to allow more space for the voices of others to be heard. While I'm definitely not an expert in anti-racism, I know that most of you open my emails and read my blog, so I wrote an email to all the people on my list to share what I learned over the past few weeks in case you were also looking for resources or support.

This post is a summary of this email with additional resources and links at the bottom. If you're a black person reading this, please know that as a fellow minority, I support you and I see you. While my life and experiences are not the same as yours, I stand with you and I'm here for you. Please reach out as I'm always happy to support anyone asking for help, guidance, advice and love.

If you don't read anything else from me, please watch this video, which I found very enlightening and deepened my understanding of the issues and what #blackouttuesday was trying to accomplish.

—> @MSPACKYETTI: If you're black, think twice about blackouttuessday <—

And now here are some resources and thought-leaders I've found and wanted to share with all of you.

HOW TO SUPPORT BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES

From my conversations with black entrepreneurs and business owners, don't support them because they're black and you fill the need to do a good-deed for the day. Support them because they're d*mn good at what they do.

100+ Black Owned Wedding Industry Businesses to Support Now and Always (Brides)

BLACK-OWNED WEDDING INDUSTRY BUSINESSES I SUPPORT AND WANT YOU TO SUPPORT IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO HIRE SOMEONE

• Ross Oscar Knight, Knight Weddings & Events (Syracuse, New York)
• Sarahna Fernandes, Simply Organized Solutions (Trinidad & Tobago)
• Jessica Mars, White Linen Media & Design (Barbados)
• LaRhonda Minor, Posh Chic Events (Atlanta, Georgia)
• Randi Smith, Sugar Euphoria (Raleigh, North Carolina)
• Lisa Staggers, Purple Crane Events (South Carolina, North Carolina, & Georgia)

BOOKS AND ARTICLES TO EDUCATE YOURSELF

• 10 Steps to Non-Optical Allyship
• A list of Anti-Racism Resources by Rachel Ricketts
• How to Be an Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
• White Fragility by Robin Diange
• So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

FILMS/SHOWS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND

• 13th
• I am Not Your Negro
• When They See Us

TALENTED BLACK INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS TO FOLLOW

• @mspackyetti
• @solstudiomarketing
• @xaylibarclay
• @erinondemand
• @colorofchange
• @Ijeoma Oluo
• @rachel.cargle
• @thelovelandfoundation

I understand that asking questions about racism and anti-racism can feel embarrassing or uncomfortable. But sometimes the most uncomfortable experiences lead to the greatest amount of change.

Sending hugs to you all!
Desirée