We’re all in this together.
As social media feeds across the world black out today in support of #BlackOutTuesday, we’re taking a look at the Canadian brands that are supporting the Black Lives Matter movement in the fight against police brutality and systemic racism. We recognize that a monetary donation and social media support does not fix the problem, however we hope that it is the start of a greater push to amplify Black voices and to promote diversity and equal rights both on social media and, most importantly, in real life.
Aritzia
“No words, no post on Instagram, no amount of donations will ever be enough. But action inspires actions inspires change. And we are in this together,” wrote Aritzia at the start of a post announcing that it has donated $100,000 to Black Lives Matter and the NAACP in honour of George Floyd.
SSENSE
In a post announcing it will donate “to organizations fighting racial injustice including Black Lives Matter,” the Montreal-based luxury e-commerce brand wrote on Instagram: “Black Lives Matter. SSENSE stands in solidarity with the fight against white supremacy. We stand with our Black colleagues, designers and community and those on the ground practicing true allyship and protesting state sanctioned violence. Silence is complicity.”
Mejuri
Toronto-based jewellery brand Mejuri announced on Instagram that it has made a donation to the Official George Floyd Memorial Fund. “We also know this is not enough,” the brand wrote in the post. “So we will continue to listen, to educate ourselves, to speak up, and to stand in solidarity.”
DECIEM
Canadian beauty brand DECIEM announced that from today its Instagram Stories will be dedicated to continuing the conversation around racism and inequality through the sharing of videos submitted by its followers. Additionally, it said it will donate $100,000 to Black Lives Matter and the NAACP Legal Defence & Educational Fund.
Lululemon
Sharing news of its $100,000 donation to the Minnesota Freedom Fund – an organization providing protestors who have been arrested with the funds to post bail – the Canadian sportswear brand wrote, “We haven’t always got it right. Over the years it made us question if we had a right to speak up. And we are privileged to have a voice and a platform. So… Know we are not indifferent. Far from it. We are passionate about every single human being being valued.”
Tanya Taylor
Canadian designer Tanya Taylor – whose business is based in New York City – has committed to donating 20 per cent of net sales from her eponymous line to the NAACP starting from today. “While we wish it could be more, we are a small business recovering from the effects of COVID-19, but are committed to doing our part in other ways in the interim,” the brand wrote on Instagram noting that it will support and share businesses owned by Black professionals as a start. “As a brand, we are discussing more long-term and meaningful actions we can take, and will be sharing with you soon.”
Nudestix
Nudestix announced two donations to its new Beauty Be Change initiative last night. The first is a minimum of $25,000 over two years to “scholarships for post-secondary education of POC in marginalized and oppressed communities” and the second is $20,000 to a business fund “for POC working as makeup artists or content creators to provide work in the beauty industry and black small business owners.”
Looking for more? Find our list of Black-run beauty brands to support here and a list of anti-racism resources here.