Commitments & Values

Through my business and within my personal life, I am committed to:

• One

  Continuing personal anti-racism work through continuing to seek out and attend workshops and learning/listening opportunities as well as self-reflective work (like Leesa Reene Hall's writing prompts). Internalizing anti-racism work is crucial. I want to be sure that I take personal responsibly to introduce new modes of learning and growing.

• Two

  Accepting that I WILL MESS UP (and have in the past)…but not letting that stop me from long-term commitment to anti-racism and social justice work. I will put my ego aside in order to not be a perpetuator of violent systems of oppression, and be able to take criticism in a non-defensive way. And with that, hold speaking out above “being liked” and lean into any discomfort that will arise.

• three

  Continuing to acknowledge the areas where I or other white people are holding too much space, and a) see where I can step back or pass opportunities on (asking myself, “is there someone who knows more about this topic than me who would be better for this?” or “have I had this opportunity in the past to speak to “XYZ” and don’t need to take up space a second time when there are BIPOC artists, healers, and educators who should be amplified instead?” while putting forth a few names who I recommend for the “job”) and b) call out those spaces and demand they address their whiteness if they are not. I will advocate for Black and POC voices regardless of losing out on an opportunity or burning a bridge.

• four

  Only attending markets that are actively inclusive of BIPOC-owned and LGBTQA+ owned businesses. As well as that of wholesale clients or other modes of selling my work in person. As well as seeking out more opportunities to hire Black and POC freelancers/businesses for photography, modeling, and any other times I am in need of external hires within my business or collective projects. I will also seek out Black and POC owned businesses when looking to add products to the shop, collaborate on photoshoots, collaborative projects, etc.

• five

  Continuing to invest in the BIPOC community monthly- through donating a percentage of my income to organizations doing vital work, the businesses where I spend my money, books I read, inspiration sources, education, etc. It will not be in the form of flashy marketing campaigns like "this weekend only, 15% of sales will be donated to ___", where I am ultimately the one making the profit (encouraging people to buy from me). Rather, just as a given part of my life. At the same time as sharing and spreading the word about how and where others can spread their money in the form of mutual aid/donations.

• six

  Continuing to share, learn from, and support anti-racism resources and share the work of Black and POC artists, healers, creatives, businesses, educators, authors, environmentalists, etc. both online and in person.

• seven

  Continuing to acknowledge and name my whiteness, and reflect/examine the ways I as a human and business owner with white privilege perpetuate, benefit from, and uphold white supremacist systems, oppressive ways of thinking, and hold biases in order to take informed action both externally and internally.