#0031 Pinch punch, Black History Month

Author

Juanita Rosenior
October 07, 2024

Hey Loved One,

It’s Black History Month and the first edition of my personalised publication. I know some people have mixed feelings about BHM and its value but I’m never going to shy away from an opportunity to celebrate us.

However, for the first time, I found myself getting vex as I witnessed some interesting behaviour from our own. One thing you’ll see people complain about during this time is being asked to do things for free and organisations not having budgets readily available for the annual event. One thing that isn’t called out is how our own can be complicit in the exploitative behaviours of these organisations.

So if you don’t know I manage talent and one of my clients was approached to take part in an exhibition for an incredibly well-known retailer. The initiative - led by a Black woman - was a dumpster fire from the very beginning with the goalposts changing every time we spoke. This individual:

  • approached multiple people to display their work with no compensation - Sometimes money isn’t always available on projects but their must be some benefit to person investing their time.

  • offered to pay for printing of my client’s work then negated on the offer and told them they could pay for printing themselves saying that budget had been spent elsewhere.

  • Advised they were representing this prestigious retailer - and is an employee there - but when it came to signing an agreement to protect my clients copyright etc they suddenly became ‘a brand within the brand’ - total nonsense.

  • asked for one set of work and then tried to get more and more out of my client’s archive.

  • Presented that their work would appear across multiple sites then changed it to one location.

  • Proposed to display their work poorly with no consideration for the integrity of the work.

Needless to say, we terminated the opportunity but not before a lot of work had gone in curating and pulling together agreements.

Now as someone who works in industry, I know that things can change all the time but Black History Month comes around every year. To have a Black woman approach my clients and say that they were attempting to elevate Black creatives but felt no shame in offering them nothing not even a decent display of their work was aggravating AF.

What seems to happen is that those doing the asking put no thought into the fact that this is the livelihood of some of these artists. How do I know? Because honestly before being self employed I did the same thing. It’s important to remember that they deserve to be compensated. It doesn’t even have to be cash but something that will genuinely amplify the person taking part. Phrases like “raise your profile” just make people’s eye roll.

The other interesting thing is that this representative left her company open to a potential PR nightmare as there’s nothing juicer than a social media post telling the world how a brand is attempting to exploit Black people during Black History Month. The irony is huge.

What I would say is if you’re ever in the position that you’re trying to organise BHM inside an organisation:

  • Advocate for a budget well in advance and remind your employers how asking for things for free is the same as slave labour and isn’t great for their public profile.

  • If you can’t persuade them to invest, find other ways to celebrate the month that doesn’t involve the labour or cost of someone else for the event to be delivered.

And please remember - as I told her - just because we’re Black doesn’t mean we can’t be professional. This is a bugbear of mine where I feel like despite working in ‘mainstream’ spaces those learnings are often put aside when dealing with each other. Another rant for another day.

What I’m watching

Reasonable Doubt (Disney+): Listen! I know between Prime, Netflix, NowTV and the like we’re subscribed to too many streaming channels however if you do happen to have a Disney+ subscription I would recommend Reasonable Doubt. Starring Emayatzy Corinealdi and produced by Hollywood actress Kerry Washington, we follow the life of Jax, a hot shot lawyer trying cases at a high-profile firm in LA. Now I’ll be honest, this is not a show I would watch in front of my kids or my mother because there are many a steamy scene and choice language but it is rare to see thrilling TV with a Black female lead. Reasonable Doubt Season 1 and Season 2 are now screening.

What I’m attending

I had the chance to attend the Naomi in Fashion exhibition at the V&A last week and I spent most of the exhibition going “Wow”. I’m a little embarrassed as I’m one of those people who tends to look more than read when I head to an exhibition but it is hard to be Naomi Campbell and not say a lot through your visuals. I did a micro review over on my new YouTube channel.

For this week only one of my icons, Ozwald Boateng is having an exhibition of African art and his collection in honour of Frieze week that starts today (Monday 7 October) for one week only plus Outernet at Tottenham Court Road which has a large multimedia display is celebrating Black Britons and other displays throughout the month. All a bit London-centric I’m afraid but I’m hopeful that a Google search can bring up some great events wherever you are in the world.

Over on YouTube

This edition I answer questions about business, life and motherhood. When you're showcasing your work people think it's easy but no-one truly sees the real nuts and bolts behind it all. This video gives just a glimpse into my perspective on what it takes to run a business.

And by 👏🏿 the 👏🏿 way 👏🏿 Friday is Black Girl Day Off. Started in 2020, its purpose is to encourage Black women to take a break for our mental health, living under a unique set of circumstances so try and get the day to yourself if you can!

Until next time