The Inner Work of Branding: The question every Black founder asks

Every Black founder that I’ve worked with or had a discovery call with asks me some version of this question: “How do I build a brand that both serves my community without making anyone feel left out” This is code for.. “I don’t want to piss off white people”. This concern is rooted in the impact of white supremacy because that’s where we get the idea that any kind of exclusion means that it’s creating harm. The truth is that we all need spaces where we can be among our own, but historically when white folks have created spaces for themselves…it involved denigrating others. As a result, some assume that if we create our own spaces, we’ll treat them just the same. The reality is that reverse racism doesn’t exist because there isn’t an institution to support it. A space just for Black people or any sub group within the Black community creates safety. Brands can’t be for everyone and that’s okay. The worst thing you can do is water down your message and be difficult for your audience to find. As a founder, you do need to take a stand on something so that people can decide if you’re the right choice for them. Let me know if this resonates. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit helloneysa.substack.com