I think the most poignant observations I've had in the years since starting this blog is how much trusting black women is a central theme in it. I didn't know it would be when I started. For many years of my life I was in flow with work and not in opposition to it. So my work products were valuable and I think I experienced relatively low prejudice at work. As supporting roles in other people's dreams, black women have that part in spades. And throughout history.
When my dreams shifted to be in opposition to dominant forces like safe water access and natural treatment of malaria theindustryno longer supported me.In many cases not because of outright opposition but because of innate bias against black women led startups. Historically in the United States black women have been pioneers in all industry that has built this country Also historically dominant society tries to repress the autonomy of Black Women.
On March 8 is the International Women's Day. It is also this year, my daughter's 21st birthday. I didn't know when I was giving birth to her 21 years ago it was International Women's Day. A few years ago her birthday fell onMardi Gras which seemed special that year because we live in New Orleans. But every year her birthday has been International Women'a Day and it is this year I mark it the most significant celebration and recognition of it. For her and I.
My last post was just before I pitched in my last "business competition" and I did not win again. Even though I was the audience choice, it has hit me hard to have not been picked by the judges again. Even though the incubator uses the statistics about black women not only as only entrepreneurs but single working mothers and I am both.
But because the fan favorite prize came with a cash prize this time I used that to fund the water filter depots I have tried to fundraise for since 2016.
Despite years of failure and abject rejection, even just last month I will be this month launching these water filter depots in Ghana. Significantly because of my own dogged determination for them to happen and my faith but as importantly the people who have bought and continue to buy the first products of the social enterprise, the natural products- Rasta's Raw Naturals.
My next post will be, if everything goes according to planned in Ghana just before the 'official' launch of the water depot in Kumasi. Andwhile they are significantly unfunded, they will still pilot and people today who do not have access to safe drinking water will by the eneyd of this month. That makes my journey worthwhile even though it will never recover the lives lost on it. Including in my own family.
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