My Least Favorite Farmers Market (As A Black Vendor) + Update
Hey everyone,
Hope you are all doing well. So, ’tis be the season to be thankful. For a few times this year, while the owner was either doing another market or on a business trip, I was asked to help out 2 different small businesses at the same time by doing a few Sundays at a different farmers’ market called The Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market at Merrick Park (aka Shops at Merrick Park) [named after George Edgar Merrick] hosted by Florida Fresh Markets. If I had to explain what it was like being there, I would say it like this: what if the TV show (What Would You Do?) became a reality where no one recorded what happened? Long story short — The TV show’s tagline speaks for itself by saying “You won’t believe what people do when they think no one’s watching!” Imagine being the only black vendor in an all-Hispanic farmers market…whose city was built by black people. In this multi-layered blog post, I will share my experience there and how I felt being there.
P.S. Before you read this, I highly recommend getting or making yourself a cup of coffee [or tea] [or in this case, eggnog (whether spiked or unspiked) since I’m posting this on Christmas Day itself and officially posted on New Year’s Day] and get ready for this rollercoaster of an experience I had.
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Part 1: Customers and Bypassers
As a vendor, whether it is skincare or food, it is always important to let people (especially first-timers to the market or event) get a feel of what you have. However, when it comes to getting people to try what I offered, these were some of the comments that I got back from the customers and bypassers while I was there:
- ”Sorry, I don’t buy outside my race.” (Yes, I did hear this a few times and no one noticed or said anything when I was trying to have people sample the hummus.)
- ”I’ll come back next week and buy from the owner when he’s here.” [The product(s) they’re looking for is right in front of them when I was trying to have people check out the skincare.] — I heard this at least once every Sunday I did both Merrick and even Saturdays/Sundays at Yellow Green [the one I was most at]; I heard this before a few times when I first started doing the one in Hollywood, which either way I found it very disrespectful to both myself and the small business they claim to support, but let race be a factor on when and how to support a small business — an independent business who wants to make a tangible impact in the local community. Honestly grew tired of hearing that phrase on a “at least a once a week” basis — it was to the point where I sometimes got a $0 on skincare sales [both card and cash transactions] for the whole day or even both Saturday and Sunday, which is embarrassing that people let the race of the team’s seller of the day affect their business’s sales over time.
- There were even some of the staff who worked in some of the stores inside the actual Shops at Merrick Park with the most common one being one girl who worked in the location’s Nordstrom [I noticed the logo on her shirt] who always bought from everyone around me, and never wanted to try anything from me [when I am there] just to only say to me “good luck” — if luck paid bills, then more people would be homeless [✋🏾 — just because bus stops and beds start with “b” don’t mean they feel the same] or sleeping in their cars [✋🏾- can testify — not the easiest place to sleep in] with their businesses on a thread or even worse — unable to be updated, ignored, or even filed for bankruptcy. She was one of a few who have said that to me; it wasn’t the fact that it felt dismissive and frustrating, but hearing “good luck” is more like my hard work [even though this was not my business] was invisible when I was there while visible while others on the team are there. This recurring interaction was a semi-minor highlight of the challenges I faced while trying to stand out and carve out a space for myself, despite selling for someone else while among more established vendors and small business owners and even sometimes, invisible barriers to success. There were days were I saw every vendor having a crowd or even a line while I am standing there with the 2 tables [aka the 2 small businesses] I was selling for at once just waiting for a person.
[Keep in mind — this all happened in the winter/spring and summer of 2023.]
Small businesses are independently owned and operated, serving local or niche markets that want to make a tangible impact on their local community, promote entrepreneurship, and contribute to the growth of unique and diverse economic landscapes. By supporting a small business, you are not only fostering individual dreams but also helping to sustain the heartbeat of local economies, encouraging innovation, and reinforcing the close-knit connections that thrive within communities.
*I even said they were free samples and several saw me and ran away (or walked a little bit faster).
*Do you know how embarrassing it is to be given 2–3 full boxes of products to start a day only to give them nearly all full boxes of products at the end of the day?
Mini Story Time:
I’ll be legit, one of my last days at that specific market (as a vendor, thank God, and never again), I was asked to take as much pita bread as I wanted to help sell at the market. Knowing how prejudiced they were to me (both customers and head staff), I purposefully took 15 bags (the lowest I would ever bring)…and after being at that market from 9–6 that Sunday, it was a busy day for the other vendors because I gave the team back 10 bags…and since 1 of them was for sampling, I only sold 4 bags of pita the whole time being there when at other markets, on average, always sold double digits worth of pita.
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Part 2: Selling Mediterranean Food
When it comes to selling Mediterranean food, the main objective is to “feed the people” and let them sample and try what they offer that is made fresh.
Double Standard:
As I stand at my booth, enthusiastically encouraging people to sample our freshly made hummus, I encounter a series of responses from potential customers claiming they’re full, busy, or not hungry. However, what unfolds before me reveals a disheartening reality. The very individuals who declined my offer are now swiftly indulging in the hummus offered by the Hispanic vendor just three booths away.
What’s particularly striking is that these individuals seem unaware that I can observe their actions, exposing the hypocrisy in their behavior. Whether or not there’s a personal connection, a basic level of respect suggests refraining from dishonesty with one vendor about being full, only to promptly partake in a free sample of the same thing from another vendor moments/seconds later.
In the bustling marketplace, such conduct undermines the principles of fair engagement and mutual respect. It goes beyond the mere act of trying or buying; it reflects a lapse in integrity and a lack of consideration for the vendors who invest time and effort into sharing their products. This scenario serves as a reminder that regardless of the diversity of vendors, honesty and genuine interactions contribute to fostering a more respectful and harmonious marketplace environment.
Think Before You Speak:
Had 2 women pass by and I offered them to try only the salt scrubs [I do sell both the food and skincare at the same time, but I sometimes pitch one for like 10–20 minutes then go back to the other one every once in a while]. Anyways, as they are walking, the girl on the right says (as they’re walking away): “Sorry, she doesn’t want to have bad breath while she gets her makeup done.”
…I was promoting the skincare…granted, I was selling hummus and skincare at the same time…but I was promoting skincare…who eats skincare…on top of that, why are there so many articles about why you should eat your skincare? Even one of the vendors looked at them puzzled, then looked at me and said “well, that’s not very nice of them”. I just looked back at the vendor and said “who eats skincare”, which made the vendor laugh.
Poor Parenting Example:
Although I haven’t embraced parenthood myself, a peculiar pattern unfolded multiple times, almost like a weekly ritual, during my time in this particular market. Strikingly absent in my experiences in Aventura and infrequent in Hollywood, the scenario typically involves parents, or both if present, strolling with their young children.
As these families traverse past my booth, I extend offers of free samples of the delectable food I have on display. Frequently, the parents either dismiss my offerings with a curt “no, thank you” or choose to ignore me, proceeding on their way. However, their children often halt, captivated by the allure of complimentary hummus and other treats available for sampling at my booth.
It’s at this juncture that things take an unexpected turn. The parents, stationed near the adjacent booth, deliver peculiar directives to their children. Instead of the usual beckoning like “come on, [child’s name],” I’ve overheard variations of discouraging phrases such as “don’t try from him” or “don’t try from people like him.” In instances where the child persists in their curiosity, some parents resort to yelling, demanding their child’s immediate return, or physically intervening by marching over, firmly grabbing their child’s hand or arm — the noticeable gestures not escaping my attention.
The plot thickens as these same parents propel their youngsters towards the Hispanic vendor, conveniently situated three booths down, coercing them to sample his hummus. The stark contrast in treatment raises questions about the underlying motivations and biases at play, offering a disconcerting glimpse into the dynamics of these market interactions.
Mini Rant:
As a watchman (and part-time mystery shopper), a notable observation has emerged regarding the selling style of the Hispanic vendor who specializes in hummus, along with various other culinary creations. It’s intriguing to note that despite both of us employing a similar glove technique — keeping the left hand ungloved and the right hand gloved (presumably due to our shared right-handedness) — our practices diverge significantly.
In my approach, I utilize the gloved hand to tear pita bread for sampling, restricting my left hand solely to handling paper sheets to place the pita on. Subsequently, I spoon the samples with my right hand and present them to customers on the sample sheet. When a customer opts for a debit/credit transaction, I remove my glove, dispose of it based on the situation, and use my phone from the right pocket to conduct the Square transaction.
Conversely, the Hispanic vendor follows a different routine. He tears and holds the bread with his ungloved hand, uses the gloved hand to spoon the samples onto the bread, and retrieves the paper with either hand before handing it to the customer. In the event of a debit/credit purchase, he takes out his phone, holding it with the gloved hand while inputting the transaction amount with his ungloved hand.
Surprisingly, no comments or concerns have been raised by the staff, bypassers, customers, or even security personnel that have to pass by on the basis. Despite my reluctance to criticize or diminish small businesses, it’s essential to acknowledge, drawing from my experience in the restaurant industry, that distributing food samples with an ungloved hand and employing the same glove for holding a phone during debit/credit transactions poses a significant health violation and hazard. In this post-COVID era, out of the majority of markets I have attended [whether vendor or customer], it’s noteworthy that the majority of individuals prefer vendors who exercise more caution and use more bare-hand contact in food sampling than those who are gloved, especially concerning the use of gloves during food sampling.
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Part 3: Head Staff
Oh boy, it is a shame when the majority of the bypassers ignored me — but the fact that the head staff at the market do it more is a massive red flag. To save time, I’m not listing the names of the head staff, but those who know that market well know who I am referring to.
I’ll just simplify everything when it comes to them:
-One time, they called the owner, while he was away, telling him that I was not listening to what they told me. How can I listen to someone when:
a. You do not even say “good morning” to me, but say morning to every single Hispanic vendor at the market around me (with some vendors getting a hug and kiss)? At least a simple “hello” would suffice if too lazy to say “morning” to me. Most bypassers say “morning/hola” to the Hispanic vendors, but when they see me, most don’t say “morning” — just smile at me and carry on with their day before saying “morning” to the Hispanic vendor. Most of the Hispanic vendors said “morning” or “hello” to me so I at least appreciate that.
b. You only tell me one sentence like “move the table up” then you proceed to move the table for me without me doing it [or consent because you purposefully tell me when I finished placing all the food and skincare products on the tables and if I moved the table, the food and/or products would fall]. I still remember one specific day that one of the head staff was with a female security guard and when the female security guard complimented how I organized the tables, the head staff gave an angry/dirty look at me for what the female security guard and when she [the head staff] was by herself later on in the day, she tried to belittle my table and fix it.
-The head of the farmers market staff, Dinah Alvarez — who ironically owns her own skincare brand [that’s also just her name] — has threatened to terminate the skincare booth I was helping sell, even though we also sell food. She informed the owner that they might end our skincare sales, but when speaking with him, she portrayed herself as the victim, shifting the narrative when, in fact, I’m the actual victim. It’s concerning that this decision seems to be influenced by my presence as a Black man since there were no other black vendors at the time while every other vendor was [specifically] a light-skinned Hispanic and even though the owner of the CNSC [the skincare brand I sold for] was not a light-skinned Hispanic, he looked closer [by skin color] to them than he was to me.
Really? The owner was there and they never referenced a possible termination to him, 2 of our Hispanic teammates were there and never mentioned it, but when the team’s only black teammate is there, you want to talk to him about terminating one of their 2 small businesses from “their market”. But, here’s the real question[s]: If you don’t like the fact a black person is selling for 2 non-black businesses in “your market”, wouldn’t you just terminate both businesses? Not just one? And how ironic that she only targeted the skincare company I was selling for [since she also has a skincare company]?
— Even when it comes to paying the head staff the amount for having their team’s booth for the “day”, I had issues on my first day by myself there.
— Even with staff when they asked about the funds to pay off the table, she [some woman named Edith] asked where’s the owner (not saying hello or afternoon), told her “he’s not here today”, then she asked what time the owner was coming today. I said, “I’m not sure”. She then says, “Okay, I’ll wait for him so he can pay me”. Before she walked away, I told her “He left me the money to give to you”. She looked shocked, said “Oh”, took the money, didn’t thank me, and walked away. Her first reactions immediately gave me a red flag about her.
— Dinah even called the owner of both CNSC [the skincare small business] and MD 305 [the Mediterrean small business] to tell him that they may terminate their skincare line from “their market” so they can expand their own skincare small business, which is literally just her name. I’m like, really? The owner was here and you never referenced termination, 2 of our Hispanic teammates were there and you said nothing, but then the team’s only black teammate was there, and you want to talk to him about terminating the business from the market.
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Part 3a: The List of Potential Claims
As a writer and a researcher, I tried to look up the different potential claims based on my experience and this is the list of potential claims based on my research:
Public Accommodation Discrimination: The farmers market operates as a public space, even if its parking is not publicly accessible. This situation presents a claim against the market, particularly since it may be sponsored by the city or other municipal entities. Public accommodations laws prohibit racial discrimination in places open to the public, and the market’s failure to address or tolerate racist comments and discriminatory behavior directed at me — some of which originated from the market’s head staff — could constitute a violation of these laws. This issue is exacerbated if the market receives public funding or has municipal affiliations, which would heighten its obligation to provide an equitable environment for all vendors and customers.
Business/Employment Discrimination: Both small businesses I worked with at the farmers’ markets ignored the discrimination I faced, despite my efforts to report it. This discrimination frequently impacted my daily sales. Hearing customers say, “I’ll come back next week when [team member or owner’s name] is here to buy from them” happened WEEKLY at both markets, even when the skincare products and/or the food they wanted was RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM. When I explained my low sales and the reasons behind them, the only response I received was, “Don’t take it personally.” This was particularly frustrating, especially when some of the owner’s friends used the same excuse and received the same dismissive reply. It was simply unacceptable.
Hostile Work Environment: This claim feels like a balance beam. On one side, some vendors and a number of customers treated me with respect and acknowledged my presence, often greeting me with a “good morning” when the head staff did not. On the other side, however, the head staff — both women mentioned — and the majority of customers treated me differently, contributing to a hostile work environment. The racial harassment and exclusion I experienced were pervasive enough to affect my ability to work and feel safe. The businesses I worked for failed to address or prevent this hostility, making them complicit in creating an environment where I was not afforded a fair opportunity to succeed.
Whistleblower Protection: The irony in this situation is striking. When I initially filed a racial discrimination claim against Dinah and the market, the business owner of the skincare and hummus company interpreted my decision not to inform him about the claim as “going behind his back.” Despite their awareness of the racism I faced — which negatively impacted my sales, resulting in $0 during that period — they chose to retaliate by terminating my position over the phone. A few days later, he called to offer me my job back, citing my ongoing housing issues, even as they continued to operate at Shops at Merrick Park.
False Reporting: When Dinah falsely reported issues to the business owner, it led to adverse outcomes for me. This claim could implicate both the head staff and the market, as Dinah was complicit in disseminating false information about me. Her actions damaged my reputation and significantly hindered my ability to succeed in the market. The inaccuracies and misleading claims made by her fostered an environment where I was unfairly targeted and mistreated, creating grounds for a defamation claim based on the harm caused by these false statements.
Adverse Actions: The fact that Dinah, who has a skincare brand of her own [including a physical location/store while the business owner doesn’t have a physical location and is mainly just known in some farmers markets in South Florida], called the business owner that they may terminate the owner’s skincare booth [despite both the skincare and the Mediterranean small businesses are being sold in the market] from “their market” since they have me [a black man — and team’s only black team member (left)] selling in “their market” while lying to the business owner on the real reason including making excuses about me, all as a ploy for her to get more sales in her skincare brand in the market [on the other end of the market since I have seen people by me with shopping bags with her name on the bags] since his skincare is popular is honestly a massive disgrace to businesswomen, small businesses, and skincare businesses everywhere for her actions.
Failure to Address Issues: Both the small businesses I worked for and the market organizers were negligent in addressing the issues I raised, resulting in my continued suffering and a deterioration of my situation. Despite my efforts to report and highlight the discriminatory practices and hostile environment, they took inadequate action to resolve these problems. Their negligence not only dismissed my complaints but also exacerbated my ongoing unhappiness and professional struggles. This demonstrated a clear failure to fulfill their duty to address and rectify the discriminatory issues I brought to their attention, especially given that the market staff initiated the hostility, which was then compounded by a significant portion of the customers.
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Part 4: Customer’s Questions [the ones who were willing to stop for me]
Firstly, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to those customers who took the time to stop by either of the booths I managed at the market. Your support towards the businesses I was selling for means the world to me.
During one encounter, a couple, seemingly cognizant of my status as the sole black vendor, asked me about my favorite aspect of this farmer’s market. In all honesty, I told them “the fact it’s walking distance to a Trader Joe’s”. This revelation might seem unexpected coming from someone with a background primarily dedicated to writing, social media management, math tutoring, and web/graphic design while assisting small businesses in their expansion. Interestingly, similar interactions have occurred in other markets I’ve participated in, both during my initial months and more recently.
On another occasion, a young couple, was shocked about the limited foot traffic around my booth despite our fantastic offerings [from both the food and the skincare] and the fact that it is a busy market full of people. I looked at them and pointed to my face. I did forget what the guy guessed [I think he guessed my facial hair], but the woman knew what I meant. The woman in the couple comprehended immediately and remarked, “White Hispanics can barely get along with black Hispanics,” a statement that struck a chord with me given my knowledge of such dynamics even though I am a black American and not a black Hispanic, but the fact white Hispanics don’t get along with black Hispanics is really sad.
The irony of these situations didn’t escape me, and when I shared these experiences with one of my closest Hispanic friends, she initially thought I might be exaggerating. To illustrate the point, I proposed a hypothetical scenario to her: imagine being the only Hispanic in an all-Black farmers market — an event happening on a Friday night. Her response was telling: “No way, they’re going to ignore me the whole day.” My reply was a simple “Exactly.” These encounters serve as poignant reminders of the nuanced dynamics at play in diverse environments and the importance of recognizing and addressing them.
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Part 5: Conclusion
In conclusion, the deeply unfair and disrespectful treatment I have endured due to the pervasive hypocrisy and prejudice at Shops at Merrick Park has had a profound impact on my joy and effectiveness as a salesman…and even my smile. Despite the positive interactions with the majority of vendors, the actions of bypassers and head staff have cast a shadow over our team’s sales efforts, causing me to lose the genuine passion I once had for my work.
While I am still pursuing legal action by filing a lawsuit (both for racial discrimination and emotional distress/trauma) against Shops at Merrick Park, Florida Fresh Markets, and the city of Coral Gables, I am still on the outlook for anyone would be able to help in this situation. In the team time, I share this experience to shed light on the incongruity between the market’s proclaimed values of bringing local communities together and fostering good company, and the reality of discriminatory treatment faced by a member of a vendor in their market. On top of that, I will expand what I did instead of filing a lawsuit [in the meantime as of writing this] in the next part.
The discrepancy between the market’s taglines, such as “Bringing local even closer to home” and “good company,” and the prejudiced treatment I endured from some bypassers, some customers, and especially the head staff based on my race, challenges the authenticity of these statements. It is a stark reminder that promoting inclusivity and fairness is not just a tagline but an ongoing commitment that requires genuine actions and attitudes from all involved.
Regardless of race or ethnicity, every individual deserves to be treated with respect and fairness. The experiences I faced underscore the importance of fostering an environment where diversity is celebrated and discrimination has no place. As we strive to build truly inclusive communities, institutions like that market must reflect on their practices and ensure that their actions align with the values they profess.
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Part 6: Conclusion
In conclusion, the varied responses to these shirts reflect the diverse perspectives that exist in our society. Opinions range from appreciation to disapproval with the majority showing appreciation, with some even viewing the shirts through the lens of racial sensitivity. It is important to consider the context that gave rise to these garments. The genesis of the shirt lies in the experiences of a black vendor at the Shops at Merrick Park farmers market, where the atmosphere was not marred by racism, but rather characterized by respect and kindness.
It is within this backdrop that the shirt found its inspiration, offering a unique expression shaped by the vendor’s personal encounters. As we navigate the complexities of public opinion, this anecdote serves as a reminder of the nuanced narratives that influence creative endeavors and the power of personal experiences in shaping the fabric of our cultural expressions.
June 1st, 2024 Update
So, I personally let my last day doing farmers' markets for either the Mediterranean food or skincare small businesses this past Mother’s Day due to how sales were for me that day and previous days, how often I got ignored by customers who kept asking where someone on the team was, told them where they were with them responding with "I’ll come back next week when [insert name of team member] is there" when:
- the product/food item they’re looking for is right there IN PLAIN SIGHT
- all of the skincare products and food have the same discounts and benefits for everyone to enjoy a happy little discount or 2 — since the more one buys, the bigger discount they’ll get, out of respect whether they’re first timers or returning customers
- I am the only African American team member [left] on either team
I have addressed multiple times what has happened when I get asked why my sales are low, explained what happened and what people told me, and only got "don’t take it personally" almost every time as a response. Even when I came to the markets because the owner told me that their friends [who were back in town and were coming to the market to buy some of their products] were on their way even pulled that same stunt on me and said the same thing of "I’ll come back next week when [insert name of owner] is here" when they saw me instead of their friend - this was this past April with 3 different friends of the owner’s for a market that’s only open on the weekends. Real friends will support your business by making purchases, regardless of whether the owner is there because they value and appreciate what your business stands for along with what you offer - the fact I’m the only one they do that is honestly even worse.
On Mother’s Day, after presenting my sales from both booths, I was asked 3 questions by the owner of both businesses since they said it is impossible to make 0 card/online sales on the food:
- Am I okay? - Yeah, I was okay that day [still had housing problems, but was still alive at least]; I ran both booths by myself since the other guy had a headache and could not make it.
- Am I being resentful to the business? - No; I was giving 100% even when I wasn’t 100% well and have mostly gotten low sales since both incidents at Merrick Park last year, which being at that market made me lose my touch with being a salesman.
- Am I trying to sabotage the business? - When I was asked this question last, it honestly confirmed that it is now time for me to quit both small businesses, move on with my life, and start my own craft [properly], start looking for pop-up shows to do, start hosting trivia events, get my name and brand/business out there, etc. The answer was no; I was not trying to sabotage their business when people tried to sabotage me by letting race affect who they buy from despite it being the same small business.
Let Me Get This Straight
The owner’s friend who [now normally] sells Mediterranean food tells people [since most people ask what is in the food] that some of the food that has eggplant in it is used with Japanese eggplant [something I found out from overhearing the owner’s friend since he helps make the food - I just tell people eggplant since that was all I knew] - but apparently, him admitting to people that some of the Mediterranean food we sell is Japanese eggplant is NOT sabotage since he sells out of the products most days despite everyone knowing Japan is not a Mediterranean country. But, when I tell people it’s just roasted eggplant and walnuts, they ask what’s the country origin of the food — and when I say “Jordan”, I sometimes, get asked, “Where in Africa is that”…still speechless when I got asked that.
- Why do I say “inauthentic”? If I want to make an authentic Thai Green Curry, I wouldn’t use red curry paste. If I’m making butter chicken, why would I use turkey and substitute margarine for butter? If I’m preparing ramen, I shouldn’t be buying udon noodles. And when I buy a box of chocolate chip cookies, I expect it to have chocolate chips, not raisins. — You get the point I am trying to make, right?
- For the past few months, the owner’s friend who [now normally] sells Mediterranean food tells people how wonderful the owner is, points to the banner next to me with the owner’s face on it to show people what he looks like, and doesn’t tell people to come over to the booth where I am to check out his friend’s skincare products [since ironically - I am the owner’s editor to his poetry book] and honestly gave up asking him weekly on such a simple task of bringing people over to me once he’s done with them [since the owner, aka his best friend, owes the skincare and co-owns the Mediterranean food] and he hasn’t said told people to come over to my booth to try out the products since since mid-February.
This update turned out to be longer than I expected, but I’m grateful to get this off my chest while taking a step back from social media. I’m ready to pick myself up and start the next chapter in my life, including rebranding my business.
I'll be focusing more on my Black history nonprofit (inspired days before the original 2023 slander about different departments of education and the AP African American Studies high school) and its online shop (inspired by my experiences listed in this article). On both websites, I will also be promoting various books that I am writing and publishing (ranging from racial equality, mental health, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), and much more) - the nonprofit promoting the books with some books on the online shop getting exclusive book merch created by me.
- Under the nonprofit, Black Cards Of History Inc., we’re dedicated to promoting black history awareness and racial equality through trivia. We use trivia as a way to bring people together, no matter how old or young they are and no matter what race or ethnicity they are as well. Please visit www.blackcardsofhistory.org to learn more.
- Under the online shop, Black Cards Of History LLC, as we are still looking for a card manufacturer to start printing and publishing physical trivia decks that we make, we do offer apparel (streetwear, swimwear, etc.), mineral necklaces, and merch dedicated to black history and racial equality. For example, one of our apparel taglines is dedicated to Ending Hair Discrimination aka “My Hair Is Not A Threat”. Please visit www.blackcardsofhistory.com to learn more.
If you or someone you know has experienced prejudice or racism, don’t stay silent — speak up and speak out. You can reach out to your local news station or report a civil rights violation to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. If this happens outside the USA, the respective country has a civil rights reporting system in place as well.
- For the past few months, the owner’s friend who [now normally] sells Mediterranean food tells people how wonderful the owner is, points to the banner next to me with the owner’s face on it to show people what he lor report a civil rights violation to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. If this happens outside the USA, the respective country has a civil rights reporting system in place as well.