Pearl & Ink is an anti-racist business.
As the sole member, I stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and affirm that Black, Brown, and Indigenous people deserve the full, unwavering support of the business community. I see no division between my efforts as a private citizen to demand full rights for BIPOC and my efforts as a business owner. Human rights are always “on brand.”
This statement is a public commitment to use my unearned White privilege—including my voice, influence, platform, and dollars—to interrupt systemic racism through concrete actions in my business practices, my personal life, my relationships, and my community.
During the protests against police violence that began following the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, I committed to the work of dismantling racism by re-engaging with the Olympia, Washington chapter of SURJ and joining a group of small business owners in Thurston County who are committed to creating anti-racist businesses. Through self-education as well as ongoing engagement with these and other groups, I pledge to continue learning about the history and effects of racism in our country, uncover and acknowledge my privilege and the ways I capitulate and actively contribute to systems of oppression, and seek accountability from BIPOC. I pledge to think creatively, seek feedback, remain open to correction, and change my actions.
I will never become a fully anti-racist person or run a fully anti-racist business. But I commit to showing up to help dismantle systemic oppression so the world can be a safe and equal place for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
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As a first step, I’ve signed the Anti-Racist Small Business Pledge, created by Hello Seven. This is how Pearl & Ink will address each point:
Name white supremacy and the impact of racism on both our personal and professional lives.
White supremacy impacts every aspect of my personal and professional life. Because I’m White, there are many ways I disempower Black people and uphold systems of oppression. This includes how I spend my money, which contractors I hire, which businesses I associate with, and the kinds of content I share. Looking at a list of my clients and collaborators, it’s obvious that I operate in an almost completely White sphere.
To unlearn these behaviors and begin to undo the harm I’ve caused, I’ll explore each aspect of my business immediately, including my policies, use of language and finances, and my marketing and networking tactics. As I discover racist aspects of my business, I’ll change them to be actively anti-racist.
Engage in anti-racist education for you and your team.
I pledge to engage in anti-racist education quarterly. I will pay for and attend a BIPOC-led workshop or training twice a year and engage in an anti-racism book study with other business owners twice a year.
Commit to open conflict and allow discomfort.
Open communication is part of Pearl & Ink’s stated values and includes full engagement in conversations about race and systemic racism. I pledge to embrace the inevitable conflict and discomfort that will arise during these conversations and to be an active participant in the conversation. It’s not going to get better if we stay silent, pretend racism is over, or deny that we’re part of the problem.
Invest a portion of your monthly company budget to the Black community.
I pledge to invest 30% of my business budget into Black-owned products and services, including software, services, Black-authored business books, and writing tools.
Express your sincere, long-term commitment to becoming an anti-racist organization.
As a start, I’ve crafted a statement of Pearl & Ink’s commitment anti-racism, which I include on my consumer-facing marketing materials, client documents, and internal policies:
Pearl & Ink is an anti-racist business. Through education, active involvement in anti-racist groups, information sharing, internal policies, spending, and action, this business is engaged in the ongoing work of dismantling systemic racism.
During the first half of the 2020-21 year, I’ll forge a more detailed action plan.
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How will you know I’m doing what I’ve said I’ll do?
Each June, to coincide with the anniversary of this commitment, I’ll release a report documenting Pearl & Ink’s progress in each of the above areas. These reports will be available from this page. I invite public accountability and welcome dialogue, correction, and questions.
If you’d like to talk about anti-racist work or this commitment in any way, reach out. I’m here for the work.