#one of these is my alma mater and let me tell you the cash flows within these schools are crazy

[digitaldandelions]

Why Communitists are Critical of Desegregation in the 1960s-1970s

"Why should I care?"

Listen-- there are some things you can learn from Desegregation in the United States and in South Africa like:

Why there is so much disparity currently between our communities.

How to address this disparity for successful communities

--Plus, you can find out how my father radicalized a class of AP US History Students.

I was wondering how to start my first blog. I think it's appropriate to start with my background and a story about how my Dad radicalized an AP US History Class. Let's begin--

My Dad was a Civil Rights Activist and the first Communitist I've ever met.

Subsequently, I am also named after him- Rodney Jerome Sumler. We have the same initials. We have the same Alma Mater: we went to North Carolina A&T State University, an HBCU dedicated to serving our community. My Dad graduated in 1965, the same year of the Civil Rights voting act. During his tenure, he was one of the many student activists who planned the student sit-ins at Woolworths. He's done many other community things since then too, championing affordable housing, getting people from the community elected to directly represent the community, other good things. Now, to the story.

How my Dad Radicalized an entire AP US History Class

I was a Junior in High School. I took AP US History, and we had the usual "ask a family member about history" assignment. There was my Grandfather, who fought in WWII. He loves telling about his time in the Pacific theatre. However, I decided to talk to my Dad about history. At this point, I really hadn't grasped that he was a whole Civil Rights Activist. He was just Dad- who sometimes hung out with Black Panthers and... when you're a teenager, you don't notice these things.

Anyway, I spoke to my father, and I returned to the class with my findings. When asked about what I learned, I stood up and said-

"Desegregation was the worst thing that had happened to Black People."

"Don't you mean /Segregation/ was the Worst thing to happen to Black People?"

--my US history teacher asked, stunned. When you are a teacher, especially a High School teacher, you have to have a very manicured front. It was surprising to me that he was so surprised.

I quickly corrected him, "No, Desegregation was the worst thing to happen to Black people."

I said what I said. Now, here is why:

My father explained that, while Black consumers were released to do business with anyone who they wanted, Black business owners were still segregated. Black business owners still couldn't get the money needed to grow their businesses and compete with mainstream businesses. In many cases, Black people still couldn't get funding well into the 2000s. For example, my parents had to depend on their white friends to get a mortgage to move into a better neighborhood in 2001. Currently, Black people's houses are appraised for much lower than their counterparts.

The US Desegregated Main Street, but they didn't Desegregate the Change Purse

With no capital, Black businesses couldn't compete with mainstream businesses. Unable to compete, and with their primary consumers now doing business with mainstream businesses, many Black businesses failed. This caused the wealth of Black families to circulate out of the community. This is what happened in South Africa as well. Nelson Mandela was able to negotiate the end of Apartheid, but only because the Afrikaners really only care about who controlled the country's wealth. Just as in America, it would take decades, generations, before the indigenous South Africans could properly build their communities. It only came, though, when they began to desegregate the way money flowed.

Anyway, I eloquently explained everything my father told me. I remember having a fascinating discussion about it later. Like, how I noticed that I have never been in a black bakery, been to a black shoemaker, been to a black grocery store. My classmates noticed and listed things too- like, how specifically other communities have these things, but Black people did not in 2005. It was really poignant for my father, precisely because he had a community newspaper. It was difficult for him to advertise with other black businesses, so he had a really informed perspective.

What can we do?

The main problem is the "Desegregation of the Change Purse" -- it's difficult for Black business owners to raise capital (or money) for their businesses. This can be remedied in 3 ways:

Increasing Money Earned: this the most powerful way, and it is a way you can help! Businesses that show a lot of revenue, profit, and strong cash flow are considered good investments! Go to your favorite business and spend money there often. Buy things often- it's even more important than tipping! Frequent purchases demonstrate better cash flow. Increasing money earned will help the following two ways.

Increasing Equity: Equity is money, equipment, or property that you invest into a business to make it successful. For example, if you have no money but have an extra desktop, you can give it to a business as equity! In return, the business can pay you a little money for your investment equity. It's a cool, creative way for a community to fund a business.

Increasing Working Capital with a Loan: This is the most common way to raise money for a business. It is also the quickest way to get working capital, or money used to run a business. These loans can include mortgages to get a building or a piece of property or microloans to buy equipment. Of course, the loan has to be repaid, preferably with business income. Loans can be expensive because of their interest rates- it costs to borrow money. That being said, having the first two items can save you a lot of money in the long run.

How can I do a Capital Raise for my Business?

My father passed in 2015- the same year I started my business. One of my last conversations with him was about the business I wanted to start. I, unfortunately, didn't get to talk to him about this kind of stuff. I'm sure he would have had a lot to say about business funding- he helped so many people start their businesses too. Fortunately, he did teach me how to listen and ask good questions. You can get a lot of knowledge from your community if you ask the right questions!

I learned a great deal about capital raises because of my partnership with business strategists and former SBA loan officers who want to help "Desegregate the Change Purse." In fact, I have teamed up with them, and I am offering a program to help business owners. We'll work with you until you raise $100,000 for your business.

Learn more by booking an appointment with me here-

https://www.digitaldandelions.com/free-consultation

#business ideas #owning a business #small business solutions #capital raise #black history #civil rights #black lives matter #black business #black owned