As we attempt to navigate our way through the events of 2020, more and more people and companies are using their platforms to speak out about injustice. We've written about ways you can be actively anti-racist and some of the content you can watch or read to better understand the deep issue of racism. Now, we're looking to how we can vote with our feet and wallets.
Change is needed on all levels. But since big brands are often the loudest voices in our society, it's extremely important that we see change happen here, in addition to on an individual level. As a consumer, it's important to support brands that are doing the right thing. It's important to celebrate the companies that align with your values.
Below are a selection of the big brands that are taking a stand for the Black Lives Matter movement. These are the companies that are donating towards change or speaking out against injustice. Voting with your wallet makes a difference.
Fenty Beauty
Fenty Beauty announced on its Instagram account that it would be participating in Blackout Tuesday. The brand will not be conducting any business on June 2. The move is in solidarity with the protestors and others fighting for equality.
Glossier
Glossier announced on its Instagram that it will donate $500,000 US across organisations that are focused on ended racial injustice. These include Black Lives Matter, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Equal Justice Initiative, Marsha P. Johnson Institute and We The Protestors.
Nike
Nike has addressed the events of late with a video posted on its YouTube channel. The video shares these powerful words:
“Don’t pretend there’s not a problem in America. Don’t turn your back on racism. Don’t accept innocent lives being taken from us. Don’t make any more excuses. Don’t think this doesn’t affect you. Don’t sit back and be silent. Don’t think you can’t be part of the change. Let’s all be part of the change.”
NYX
On Instagram, NYX announced to its followers that it was donating to the Minnesota Freedom Fund and to Black Lives Matter. The LA-based brand did not disclose the value of the donation, but has pledged to continue championing black creators and inclusive makeup shade ranges.
The brand wrote: "We stand with our black community and will be donating to the Minnesota Freedom Fund and Black Lives Matter.”
Sunday Riley
This is a personal issue for the founder of Sunday Riley - she went to school with George Floyd.
"We walked the same hallways, maybe sat in the same classrooms, albeit at different moments in time. We had entirely different lives, different opportunities, and faced different challenges. Had we both been in the exact same situation, at the exact same moment, I think it would have ended differently for me. Actually, I know it would have. That reality pierces me to my core," Sunday wrote in a post on Instagram.
The brand has pledged to donate $50,000 to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
Stella McCartney
Another brand donating to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund is Stella McCartney. The brand took to Instagram to announce that it would donate an undisclosed amount and shared some words:
"Racism is a pandemic that kills. It subjugates. It incarcerates. It humiliates. We are the vaccine – we must stand strong and unite against systemic ignorance today and begin to build a better tomorrow, for everyone."
Sony
Sony has chosen to postpone its coming PlayStation 5 event. The brand has spoken out saying now is not a time to celebrate. Sony wrote on the PlayStation Twitter:
“While we understand gamers worldwide are excited to see PS5 games, we do not feel that right now is a time for celebration and for now, we want to stand back and allow more important voices to be heard.”
GANNI
GANNI will be donating $100,000 Black Lives Matter, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the ACLU. The brand wrote on Instagram: "At GANNI, we stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. As we’ve been researching and educating ourselves, our silence—born out of the fear of saying the wrong thing—has gone on for too long."
FILA
FILA is also donating directly to Black Lives Matter. The brand has pledged $100,000. It wrote on Instagram: "Today and every day we stand in solidarity with the Black community and we will use our voice to support you as you have always supported us."
The platform owned by Facebook has announced that it has pledged $10 million US toward anti-racism efforts. It hasn't gone into detail about which particular organisations will receive the funds just yet. Instagram shared a statement on its feed stating "the more we #ShareBlackStories, the more we raise voices that make a lasting impact."
Image: Fenty Beauty
