ALL BLACK EVERYTHING!

#ALLBLACKEVERYTHING DAY 1

The challenge for the next 30 days, to buy from only Black owned establishments support our own and recycle the Black dollar. When I first heard about the challenge, I didn’t have to think twice about deciding jump on it. (In my Sir Mix a Lot Voice)

(I think I kind of “Bogarted” my way into the initial group of friends who came up with the idea but I love them I’m glad they graciously included me.;))

But For me, it just made sense for very few reasons. It doesn’t take much for me to do what I can. I have a saying “If I can, I will” It’s just that simple



1. The Black community is suffering

2. If we don’t do something to try and turn things around, we are a part of the problem

3. We have to take care of our own; no one is going to do it for us

4. There is potential all around us, let us tap into each other support and build.


First, let me say that I typically shop at the “normal” big business corporations. Pick N Save, Wal-Mart (Yes, I know how bad they are) Target etc. I try not to eat out a lot but I frequent McDonald’s (yes, I know how bad they are too) Where ever else my young sons con me into stopping. I often eat lunch with co-workers have them pick me up something where they go etc.
So day one: I leave for work, I often stop through McDonalds for coffee (now, the one I go to is Black owned) but I choose to make my own coffee for once. (Why else do I have a coffee pot at home) As I go through the day and lunch time approaches, I invited myself to lunch with a co-worker and our mutual friend. (I guess I stay pushing my way into people’s lives) they were happy for me to join them because well, I’m a wonderful person! ;) but they couldn’t decide where to go so I got to pick. I had been craving noodles and Company for like three weeks!! So I jumped on that, we made the plans to go….then I was like oooh, snap! *literally that’s what I said* sent out a text like hey lets support local business and go to CMYB! After a little resistance it was a go. (had they not agreed I would have passed) We added another person to the mix so the four of us met up and had lunch. *almost messed up on the first day* I frequent there often (my friends were shocked because everyone knew my name and I was talking to everyone) LOL The wait was kind of long but the food was over all good. I hope they will return to support.
I also filled up at the BP on Atkinson, now I have been doing that ever since I found out that was the only black owned gas station in the city, so that was not anything out of the normal either.

After work I head on over to Pick N Save to get something’s for dinner…*Oooh Snap* Swooped back around to go to Lena’s on Fon Du Lac. Okay, now I am out of my element. For real. I haven’t been to Lena’s in a while, when It was on East Capitol I really liked it a lot and shopped there often. My trip was not the best experience, it smelled and the cashier refused to ask if they would substitute another brand of milk because they were out of the sale brand. Now I am very pick customer, I know my rights, I know what managers can do if they choose to. I worked as a supervisor at Jewel- Osco for like 6 years. And at “my” Pick N Save they know me, (when my children are lost in the store I have to page them myself) LOL It took a lot for me not to start using my “customer is always right” voice. I decided to chop it up for the cause and go about my business. The other items I bought did not have too much difference in price, the selection is far less than Pick N Save but overall it was decent.

So I spent all my dollars on day 1 Supporting Black owned businesses.

Here are my challenges/ advantages that I foresee in the future

1. It’s hard to switch gears from a normal routine but I think it is good for my mind. Change is good.

2. I think I will save money in the long run because I will be mindful of where my money is going and to whom and not stopping everyplace for everything

3. We can hold businesses accountable, so if you want us to support you then we expect a quality of service/ product

4. When I want something like chocolate, or ice cream or anything on a whim that will be kind of hard it is not at my fingertips

5. We can see what we need in our community (like I don’t know where I will get my cats food from) :)

6. Supporting and building up your community feels good!

7. Some sacrafice is going to me made, but that is okay! Its is not all about me! :)


MVP