Shit, everyone is thinking this anyway. I truly hate that most are too scared to say it publicly because honestly, WTF do we have to lose? We’re already NOT getting the funding. Getting on a retail shelf was never the issue, nor is it the fucking “prize” or achievement they make it out to be. That’s the easy part, chile.
NIGGAS NEED FUCKING MONEY! Me included. 🙃
& I know these folks on the internet get tired of hearing me talk about money/funding, but until we get some, I’m gonna keep talking about. Because why the HELL are they trying to play us like we are dumb. Grant programs, VCs, ALL OF THEM. You mean to tell me NONE of us are worthy of investment?! 🤔 & at least if a few of us got it, I’m sure we’d turn around and invest in each other post-acquisition. & they definitely don’t want THAT! 😂
We don’t need any more fucking accelerators. We need COLD HARD CASH. & THEY KNOW IT!
Furthermore, I think icing out smaller, non-celebrity/influencer-adjacent brands is a part of their strategy. Keep the money in the circle, get the rich wealthy, and let’s use our sham of an organization to make sure the brands who truly need the funding never get it—nor ever enter the room because who TF can at $10K/ticket?! 😂
Don’t even get me started on HOW + WHEN we found out we were a “finalist” last year. 😂
This is all one big fucking joke. The only part that is actually unbelievable to me is that so many founders are only willing to discuss the shenanigans in private, when we could truly burn all this beauty industry politics shit down by speaking the truth publicly. 🖤
More than anything, I just want folks to SFPWU. We are deserving of the same resources as everyone else in this fucked up ass industry. & when I think about the founders I know, what we’re enduring, the brands we are all building, how we’ve streeeeeeeeeetched cash, and our collective resilience time and time again… it honestly brings me to tears how unfair and unjust our journeys have been. 💔
“an AI training initiative to ensure Black founders aren’t left behind as technology reshapes business.”
-they seriously think we are incompetent to learning?!?
As a collective we need to let black owned die and lay to rest. It has done nothing to us but hold us back, treated like we’re incompetent, incapable, and have low self esteem.
She founded this organization after George Floyd and BLM. I bet before that she didn’t give a fuck and still don’t. She’s profiting off black low self esteem of being less than. Even if it’s not what we believe ourselves to be, that’s how they SEE us.
They see us as panhandling bums on the street. They pick us up when they need to look good or they see $$$ hitting the can.
Honestly, I can't even say that Aurora James is the one people are, or should be, afraid of—if anything, she's Emma Grede's cover/scapegoat. Everything that is happening with The 15 Percent Pledge is very much aligned with her business practices. Just look at what she did to Ami Colé... Diarrha Ndiaye sought investment from EG, EG didn't give it to her, Ami Colé shutters, then EG offers her a role as EVP of Product Development for Kim K to relaunch a beauty brand. I'm assuming she thought the community Diarrha built with Ami Colé was bankable and could be leveraged to build an audience for Kim K's beauty brand. Anyway, I have so many thoughts about this and more, my brain feels like 🤯
You made a great point about the problem being capital, not shelf space. And learning about Ami Cole’s issues last year really opened my eyes on how hard it is for a brand to be successful in stores like Sephora. All we see is glitz and glamor, but this is people’s livelihoods we’re talking about. It’ll be interesting to see how things play out with the pledge.
I couldn’t agree more! I already commented on your video but I appreciate this breakdown. So, so many of the grants I’ve tried to apply for from them required you to already be UP! $$$ and I’m like baby.. who are we really helping here??
When I saw the photos from the blue carpet I legit had this same thought. WTH do they do?!? I have a profile on their website for my pillow business but nothing... just crickets. Any grants I see from them are for beauty. Im just taking up shelf space I guess...
Not to mention, The 15 Percent Pledge completely overshadowed Sharon Chuter's efforts when she launched the Pull Up For Change Initiative in 2020. What Sharon was trying to do felt more tangible than what AJ & EG has done with The 15 Percent Pledge... There were no galas but she held the powers that be accountable and raised funding for black owned brands with the "Make it BLACK" campaign in 2021
I was surprised they still held this event at Paramount……. I never understood galas. Use the gala funds to actually help people. It’s just another excuse to have a party.
I know this is a very serious matter but im so sorry, I was hollering with each line:
“What better way to kick off our first Black History Month newsletter by giving The Fifteen Percent Pledge their lashings”
😭😭😭😭
But let me be serious for a moment. The grift you’re describing is the same one that has plagued many of these ‘for us by us’ accelerators/programs/initiatives vacuuming up support, money and mind share… happened with AfroTech and Culturecon too 🥴
Championing equity through high-profile pledges is the accepted way to signal institutional progress. But these pledges often just trade one mask for another, replacing old gatekeepers with a new elite of "approved" influencers. Is your commitment to "equity" just a performative shield to keep the status quo comfortable?
Loved your take on this. I remember when the 15% pledge launched in 2020.. it felt promising. What happened to Monica is egregious and during BHM? The plot has been lost entirely.
Absolute banger of a piece. Used to work in beauty and now am an investor and need more of us to be honest about the performative nature of the grants and lack of venture funding.
Incredibly well-expressed piece. Have been a bit weary of the pledge since post 2020, as I never hear about it outside of the annual gala -- which makes me echo your commentary regarding data/metrics.
One day we will realize that the systems that have oppressed us are never going to be the ones that break us from the same shackles.
I love this article. It's interesting getting some perspective after coming across your video as well as Monica's. However, while reading I couldn't help but think: Isn't that what all these organization-gala-foundation-charity(??) thingies are? Lol. It's we give some money to some people but it's really just a see-and-be-seen networking event. I don't think we should've expected more because the founder is Black... I do follow her on Instagram and enjoy her content and she makes great gowns but the details around this event make me question her intentions more and more :(
Anyway, hopefully more Black founders can speak up!
(Also $10k a chair for something that's supposed to be inclusive might be the most insane part of all of this)
Such a well-written piece, my girl. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Shit, everyone is thinking this anyway. I truly hate that most are too scared to say it publicly because honestly, WTF do we have to lose? We’re already NOT getting the funding. Getting on a retail shelf was never the issue, nor is it the fucking “prize” or achievement they make it out to be. That’s the easy part, chile.
NIGGAS NEED FUCKING MONEY! Me included. 🙃
& I know these folks on the internet get tired of hearing me talk about money/funding, but until we get some, I’m gonna keep talking about. Because why the HELL are they trying to play us like we are dumb. Grant programs, VCs, ALL OF THEM. You mean to tell me NONE of us are worthy of investment?! 🤔 & at least if a few of us got it, I’m sure we’d turn around and invest in each other post-acquisition. & they definitely don’t want THAT! 😂
We don’t need any more fucking accelerators. We need COLD HARD CASH. & THEY KNOW IT!
Furthermore, I think icing out smaller, non-celebrity/influencer-adjacent brands is a part of their strategy. Keep the money in the circle, get the rich wealthy, and let’s use our sham of an organization to make sure the brands who truly need the funding never get it—nor ever enter the room because who TF can at $10K/ticket?! 😂
Don’t even get me started on HOW + WHEN we found out we were a “finalist” last year. 😂
This is all one big fucking joke. The only part that is actually unbelievable to me is that so many founders are only willing to discuss the shenanigans in private, when we could truly burn all this beauty industry politics shit down by speaking the truth publicly. 🖤
More than anything, I just want folks to SFPWU. We are deserving of the same resources as everyone else in this fucked up ass industry. & when I think about the founders I know, what we’re enduring, the brands we are all building, how we’ve streeeeeeeeeetched cash, and our collective resilience time and time again… it honestly brings me to tears how unfair and unjust our journeys have been. 💔
thank you for being a soundboard for this!!!
ALWAYS! 🤞🏾
This pissed me off!
“an AI training initiative to ensure Black founders aren’t left behind as technology reshapes business.”
-they seriously think we are incompetent to learning?!?
As a collective we need to let black owned die and lay to rest. It has done nothing to us but hold us back, treated like we’re incompetent, incapable, and have low self esteem.
She founded this organization after George Floyd and BLM. I bet before that she didn’t give a fuck and still don’t. She’s profiting off black low self esteem of being less than. Even if it’s not what we believe ourselves to be, that’s how they SEE us.
They see us as panhandling bums on the street. They pick us up when they need to look good or they see $$$ hitting the can.
Girls, don’t be a panhandler.
do they think we’re incompetent to learning!! it’s actually anti black and having the OPPOSITE effect if you ask me lmao
Girl! It’s so insulting! Sounds like no child left behind.
This was a great write up by the way.
Honestly, I can't even say that Aurora James is the one people are, or should be, afraid of—if anything, she's Emma Grede's cover/scapegoat. Everything that is happening with The 15 Percent Pledge is very much aligned with her business practices. Just look at what she did to Ami Colé... Diarrha Ndiaye sought investment from EG, EG didn't give it to her, Ami Colé shutters, then EG offers her a role as EVP of Product Development for Kim K to relaunch a beauty brand. I'm assuming she thought the community Diarrha built with Ami Colé was bankable and could be leveraged to build an audience for Kim K's beauty brand. Anyway, I have so many thoughts about this and more, my brain feels like 🤯
You made a great point about the problem being capital, not shelf space. And learning about Ami Cole’s issues last year really opened my eyes on how hard it is for a brand to be successful in stores like Sephora. All we see is glitz and glamor, but this is people’s livelihoods we’re talking about. It’ll be interesting to see how things play out with the pledge.
I couldn’t agree more! I already commented on your video but I appreciate this breakdown. So, so many of the grants I’ve tried to apply for from them required you to already be UP! $$$ and I’m like baby.. who are we really helping here??
When I saw the photos from the blue carpet I legit had this same thought. WTH do they do?!? I have a profile on their website for my pillow business but nothing... just crickets. Any grants I see from them are for beauty. Im just taking up shelf space I guess...
Not to mention, The 15 Percent Pledge completely overshadowed Sharon Chuter's efforts when she launched the Pull Up For Change Initiative in 2020. What Sharon was trying to do felt more tangible than what AJ & EG has done with The 15 Percent Pledge... There were no galas but she held the powers that be accountable and raised funding for black owned brands with the "Make it BLACK" campaign in 2021
...ok, I'm done for real this time 😅
yes, i said this too! also RIP to Sharon Chuter. That’s one that still doesn’t sit right with me.
I was surprised they still held this event at Paramount……. I never understood galas. Use the gala funds to actually help people. It’s just another excuse to have a party.
I know this is a very serious matter but im so sorry, I was hollering with each line:
“What better way to kick off our first Black History Month newsletter by giving The Fifteen Percent Pledge their lashings”
😭😭😭😭
But let me be serious for a moment. The grift you’re describing is the same one that has plagued many of these ‘for us by us’ accelerators/programs/initiatives vacuuming up support, money and mind share… happened with AfroTech and Culturecon too 🥴
no because it’s actually hilarious lol. they play too much and need a spanking 😂
Championing equity through high-profile pledges is the accepted way to signal institutional progress. But these pledges often just trade one mask for another, replacing old gatekeepers with a new elite of "approved" influencers. Is your commitment to "equity" just a performative shield to keep the status quo comfortable?
Loved your take on this. I remember when the 15% pledge launched in 2020.. it felt promising. What happened to Monica is egregious and during BHM? The plot has been lost entirely.
Absolute banger of a piece. Used to work in beauty and now am an investor and need more of us to be honest about the performative nature of the grants and lack of venture funding.
Incredibly well-expressed piece. Have been a bit weary of the pledge since post 2020, as I never hear about it outside of the annual gala -- which makes me echo your commentary regarding data/metrics.
One day we will realize that the systems that have oppressed us are never going to be the ones that break us from the same shackles.
I love this article. It's interesting getting some perspective after coming across your video as well as Monica's. However, while reading I couldn't help but think: Isn't that what all these organization-gala-foundation-charity(??) thingies are? Lol. It's we give some money to some people but it's really just a see-and-be-seen networking event. I don't think we should've expected more because the founder is Black... I do follow her on Instagram and enjoy her content and she makes great gowns but the details around this event make me question her intentions more and more :(
Anyway, hopefully more Black founders can speak up!
(Also $10k a chair for something that's supposed to be inclusive might be the most insane part of all of this)