DEFUND THE POLICE

#BLACKLIVESMATTER

 At Big Mood Creative, we support and respect Black culture, Black creatives, Black lives and most definitely, the long overdue dismantling of white supremacy that has created and fostered racial injustice towards Black humanity for centuries.

We would not be where we are today without the creative thought, skill and culture that our Black community has shared with us throughout history. Black creatives have shaped our world’s culture since the beginning of time and usually without receiving the proper credit. Although as a minority woman owned business, I experience a constant battle against racism and sexism for space and opportunity, I know that this does not and will never compare to the Black experience. For that reason, I do not have the luxury of standing idle and must use whatever platform I have to uplift our Black neighbors, family, creatives and friends. They need our collective BIG MOOD energy to advocate for and with them.

So BE BOLD, BE MOVED, BE A PART OF THE FIGHT TOO! 

Here are some next actions we can ALL take to collectively protect and empower our Black community here in Chicago as well as across the country. This list is no where near exhaustive so I ask that you continue to research more ways to get involved: 

  1. Support the CPAC, Civilian Police Accountability Council. This council, elected by the people of Chicago, would give power to the community on how to or how not to leverage CPD across the city, this includes power to defund or abolish the Chicago Police Department. The CPAC initiative is currently in the city council public safety committee, however we need 26 Aldermen to vote on it and currently only have the support of 19. For more information visit: https://www.caarpr.org/stop-police-crimes. This link will also give you information on which city council members support CPAC and if your alderman isn’t on the list, call them and ask them to support the enactment of the CPAC immediately! 

  2. DONATE, DONATE, DONATE! Please visit bigmoodcreative.com/BLM for a list of organizations you can donate to today.

  3. Follow and support Black creatives, entrepreneurs and change makers by following their social media accounts, highlighting their work and/or purchasing from them. 

  4. Take time to productively reflect and then SHOW TF UP! Whatever way that looks for you, in whatever way you can and no matter how uncomfortable. DO IT. Our Black community needs our support and collective efforts to demand justice. Silence is violence.

Here is what BMC is doing: 

  1. COVID-19 has affected my business in ways I could not and had not prepared for. As a newly formed business, I received no economic relief from the government. However, I will not allow that to be a barrier! I am pledging to donate our savings in the amount of $200 to the following organizations: $50 to Marsha P. Johnson Institute dedicated to defending the rights of Black Trans people, $50 to the Refinecltv Juneteenth Black Business Fund to provide financial relief to Black Chicago Business owners, $50 to The Loveland Foundation bringing therapy and healing opportunities to Black women and girls, and $50 to My Block, My Hood, My City that focuses on youth leadership and youth empowerment across the City of Chicago. For transparency, I will post the receipt of our donations to our Instagram. 

  2. I will NOT be offering services from June 19th, 2020 to July 19th, 2020 in order for folks to redirect their spending power as I ask new potential clients to hire Black creatives for their projects. I will be highlighting Black photographers and videographers on our website and Instagram account for your reference. 

  3. Big Mood Creative was founded on the premise of amplifying voices that are often silenced at the hands of white supremacy and racial inequality. There is continued affirmation and urgency for powerful storytelling. I am dedicated to leveraging our platform to provide resources and help empower communities through visual arts. I also pledge to continue reflecting as a business owner, consistently working on fostering an inclusive and just environment, internally and externally with any and all clientele, staff, community partners, contractors, and freelancers. 

Black Lives Matter and if you DO NOT believe that or think in the slightest bit that this is up for debate, then I CANNOT and WILL NOT serve you. 

 

I am my mother’s silenced voice and with my unchained words I will demand and deliver justice.

 

In Solidarity, 

Big Mood Creative, LLC 

Founder and Creative Director, A. Mayleen Mermea