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Where G+G Stands on Issues of Race

As the founder and CEO of Grid + Glam, I want to share exactly where we stand as a company and brand. Black lives matter. Racism is reprehensible. The fact that it has taken hundreds of years of injustice for it to finally feel like something will change is unacceptable.

And yet, here we are. It feels different now. Like we are at a tipping point that is so very, very long overdue.

Graphic with a photo of a coffee cup with the Grid and Glam logo with the wording, Where G+G Stands on Issues of Race.

In my past career, I was deeply entrenched in doing work to help “level the playing field.” I realize today, in a way I never did before, that voting the right way and donating to the right organizations, and even working in that space professionally, has and never will be enough. I now realize that by staying comfortable and silent in my personal life, I have been a part of the problem. I need to do the hard work to become actively, and loudly, anti-racist, and teach my children to do the same. I am committed to doing better.

And, as the leader of this company, I want you to know that WE are committed to doing better. My team and I are actively working to advance the efforts to end racial injustice. Not just while this is a ‘hot topic,’ but always.

To my Black friends, clients + fellow organizers. We love you. We are listening, learning + ready to link arms with you to make a change for the better.

What I am Committed to Doing in my Personal Life

If you are committed to doing the same in your life and are looking for guidance on where to start, below are the steps I’m taking.

Personally

Educate myself by listening, researching + reading books.
Vote.
Sign petitions.
Peacefully protest.
Speak up every single time I see or hear something racist.

In my Family

Read books with my children on anti-racism.
Teach my kids how to be actively anti-racist and the importance of speaking up for our Black friends every single time. We must use our voices and our bodies even when it's not comfortable and not safe.

With my Money

Donate.
Not buy from companies who are contributing to the problem.
Support Black-owned businesses.
Find grassroots leaders to financially support.

What G+G Is Committed to Doing as a Business

Along with what I am doing in my personal life, I wanted to share what Grid + Glam is doing as a business. I am committed to using my platform to do better in the world. Grid + Glam refuses to let this conversation stop.

If you are a business owner, I encourage you to look at this list and see if you can take some similar action.

Donate portions of our profit to support anti-racism causes.
Share resources that will help this community on my Instagram page, in my newsletter and on my website for the long term.
Offer more scholarships for both my Membership + Organizers Academy Program.
Continue to amplify the voices of Black organizers.
Collaborate with minority-owned brands and BIPOC organizers.
Update the Statement of Inclusion in our Employee Handbook.

We added the following language into the values section of the G+G Employee Handbook. This is reviewed with new employees as they join the team. Here is an excerpt of our Commitment to Inclusion:

Grid + Glam is committed to making a positive impact on the world. We are committed to not only speaking out, but also taking action. We promote the values of inclusion and support for all in our society, especially our BIPOC members. We donate profit each year to further this cause. We collaborate with a diverse group of brands and entrepreneurs, and offer open scholarships to ensure that all voices are heard and all members of our society are included.

Resources You Can Use to Listen, Learn + Take Action

I acknowledge that I still have a lot to learn. I know that I am not going to do this perfectly. I will continue to do the work of anti-racism in my life and home, I want to encourage you to do the same. If you’re interested in learning more and taking action, here are a few places you can start.

Voices You Can Listen to on IG:

Jessica Wilson (@jessicawilson.msrd)
Alishia McCullough (@blackandembodied)
Rachel Cargle (@rachel.cargle)
Morgan Harper Nichols (@morganharpernichols)

Books You Can Read:

I highly recommend downloading “Between the World And Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Listening to him read his own book aloud is extremely powerful.

Books You Can Read With Your Kids:

If you are interested in finding more, you can check out Books for Diversity on Instagram. You can also check out these two articles from the New York Times and Embrace Race.