Boycott, Schmoycott… Instead here is what you SHOULD do…

Boycotting without alternatives is just noise—it’s energy spent shouting into the void without building a path forward. True power lies in creating systems that replace what we no longer need, fostering self-sufficiency, and ensuring our communities thrive on their own terms. This isn’t about simply saying no; it’s about building the “yes” that sustains us. Let’s explore how to turn collective action into collective solutions, moving from reaction to creation.

1. Strategic Use of Major Corporations

• Leverage Their Supply Chains: Major retailers like Walmart, Amazon, or Costco offer access to bulk goods at lower prices. Use this to stock up on essentials such as seeds, gardening supplies, tools, educational materials, and sustainable living products. These items can become the foundation of a community’s self-reliance efforts.

• Education Through Corporations: Many major corporations offer free or subsidized training programs, certifications, or workshops for skills like coding, digital marketing, and entrepreneurship. Black communities can leverage these opportunities to build professional expertise that translates into local business success.

• Corporate Philanthropy: Instead of rejecting corporations outright, demand their participation in community development through grants, sponsorships, and partnerships for initiatives such as entrepreneurship programs, community gardens, or cooperative businesses.

2. Building Community Infrastructure

• Cooperative Models: Take inspiration from Black Wall Street by building cooperative businesses such as grocery co-ops, credit unions, and shared workspace hubs. Pool community resources to create businesses where ownership is shared, and profits are reinvested locally.

• Localized Commerce: Develop businesses that cater to essential needs—childcare centers, repair shops, delivery services, and cleaning companies. Start small, but ensure they are run with the intentionality of serving the community.

• Reinvestment of Profits: Profits generated from businesses within the community should be reinvested into other local initiatives—whether it’s funding scholarships, creating affordable housing, or building community centers.

3. Fostering Self-Sufficiency

• Agriculture and Food Security: Buy seeds, start small gardens, and eventually expand to urban farms or community gardens. Teach children and adults alike the importance of growing food, saving seeds, and creating food systems outside of grocery store dependency.

• Alternative Energy and Utilities: Invest in renewable energy like solar panels, water collection systems, and composting toilets. This not only lowers dependency on corporate energy grids but also promotes sustainability within the community.

• DIY and Skill Development: Encourage learning practical skills like sewing, carpentry, home repair, and mechanics. Turn these into small businesses within the community or offer services to neighbors.

4. Intentional Business Development

• Purpose-Driven Business Models: Black entrepreneurs need to be clear about who their businesses are serving. This means establishing businesses with a mission to empower and uplift—not just to profit. Focus on industries that directly support community needs, like healthcare, housing, and education.

• Reclaiming Narrative and Identity: Black Wall Street was built on the foundation of community pride and ownership. Encourage businesses that embrace cultural identity and foster a sense of belonging. This can range from fashion and art collectives to media companies that amplify Black voices.

• Financial Education and Independence: Teach financial literacy—budgeting, credit building, investment, and wealth preservation—through community workshops and mentorship programs. Black banks and credit unions can serve as a platform for these initiatives.

5. Challenging the Lifestyle Brand Mentality

• The critique of “lifestyle brands” is crucial. Many brands fail to offer tangible benefits to their communities beyond aesthetics or exclusivity. To counter this, ask:

• Does your business address a genuine need in the community?

• Is it intentional about its mission and purpose, or is it chasing trends?

• Does it reinvest in its people, or does it simply seek profit for individual gain?

6. Community Accountability

• Teach and Pass Down Knowledge: It’s not enough to establish something if the knowledge isn’t passed to the next generation. Create programs that ensure sustainability—mentorships, apprenticeships, and leadership training to continue the legacy of self-sufficiency.

• Collective Responsibility: Encourage community members to be active participants—shop local, support local, and invest locally. Movements don’t work if people aren’t willing to make sacrifices for long-term growth.

7. From Boycott to Build-Up

Boycotting without alternatives is just noise. Instead of focusing energy on shutting down, channel it into building systems that replace what corporations offer:

• Boycott big banks? Start or support a credit union.

• Boycott fast food? Build community kitchens or invest in Black-owned restaurants.

• Boycott mass retailers? Support or create a network of Black artisans, farmers, and small business owners to fulfill those needs.

8. Reimagining Black Wall Street for the Modern Era

Black Wall Street was a beacon of Black excellence, but it wasn’t just about businesses. It was about interconnectedness—a community where success was communal and resources circulated within. In today’s digital age:

• Use technology to connect Black entrepreneurs globally.

• Build e-commerce hubs that allow small businesses to compete on a larger scale.

• Create apps or platforms to connect customers with Black-owned businesses locally and nationally.

Final Thought: A Movement with Purpose

The spirit of Black Wall Street was built on purpose, intentionality, and collective power. Today’s challenge is not just about boycotting corporations or creating lifestyle brands—it’s about fostering systems that uplift, sustain, and empower communities for generations. It’s about recognizing that corporations aren’t enemies; they’re tools to be used strategically until they are no longer necessary. Let’s move from reaction to action, from critique to creation. That’s how legacies are built.