As we all know it can be very hard for black creatives to strive in their industries. Although we may have the most talent, experience and knowledge in many cases. We aren’t given the resources and tools for that to be seen or to rise to it’s full potential which brings me to the point of why we need to support each other and network horizontally instead of vertically in the words of Issa Rae. There are many instances where we get looked over and left behind when we have so much to offer and often get our hard work and ideas stolen from us by bigger brands (this happens in all industries). These are all reasons why industry events such as culture con are major for us.
I know that many of us get tired of being the token black person or being looked at as the spokesperson or sole opinion of the black community in many rooms and at many tables, but this is why when you get in a position of power or influence you need to reach a hand back or send the elevator back down to your people. Not saying that you need to just put your name and reference behind just anyone but it’s so many of us that are talented that you can pass a good opportunity on to another black person. If you are a celebrity hire a talented black creative team including a hairstylist, wardrobe stylist (stylists can use clothing from black designers as well), makeup artists, photographers and much more because giving them that opportunity can give them the chance they need to showcase their work and create a lot of clientele for them and it took nothing from you but they all made you look amazing.
We have to learn that helping the next person isn’t taking anything from you, if you can’t take a job pass the word along to someone else, if you know some resources or important information pass that on to your peers. A small gesture can make a big impact. A few celebrities have been doing this and I absolutely love it, when Issa Rae hosted the CFDA Awards last year she wore all black designers (which was major because a black person had never hosted and she represented us), for the American Music Awards Tracee Ellis Ross wore black designers from the time of press events and during the entire show in which she wore 10+ different looks (along with having a black wardrobe stylist and hairstylist), Beyonce wore black artists throughout the On the Run II Tour and many other celebrities have been doing similar things. It just makes me so happy to see people on larger platforms represent us and we need to continue doing this on a big and small scale. Remember it takes nothing from you to help the next person.