TOP 5: GIFTS THAT GIVE
In my academic years I wrote papers on direct action, civil rights, Free(ing) Tibet and shutting down the School of the Americas. I fell in love with Angela Davis and found myself with an intrinsically deep passion for justice of marginalized humans. This time also coincided with falling in love with a girl (not Prof. Davis). Resulting in discovering my queer identity and community. I was always customizing myself and my pals through the lyrics & sentiments that made us, on the garment that suited all of us, tshirts. I get to do that NOW! professionally and for myself…#tweenteen20sdreams do come TRUE!
I recently coined #activistfashion (at least I think I did, I’ll google later). It feels like a great way to sum up the spirit and intent of the HOMIE, I ADORE YOU [HIAY] — one of a kind apparel collection, ACTIVIST FASHION. Inspired by the community organizers, activists & marginalized voices [#4LYFE]. This is my first OFFICIAL HIAY collection to be released. I’m so honored by the timing for this to be happening with the kickoff of Young Bloods Collective’s annual #YBCHolidayMRKT. Which will be virtual this year, suiting all of our plans just FINE. Also getting in on that #cybermonday fever. HEy-YOOOOO!
Enough ::high:: preamble reminiscing ! My TOP 5 : GIFTS THAT GIVE
The beauty in the Kaepernick crop sweatshirt is Andy Slots, what a badass babe! The photograph was taken by the ONE & ONLY Danielle Zimmerer.
PAINTINGS >>> G.L.I.T.S
G.L.I.T.S is an organization that Sylvia Rivera & Marsha P. Johnson could get behind, YOU NEED MORE than that?! Fair, this amazing org focuses their efforts on getting Trans & Trans sex workers healthcare, housing, and humanity (aka support, resources & care, ya know BASICS). Trans, and especially Trans people of color are hyper marginalized and this is nothing new, look back at our girls, Sylvia & Marsha…We need Trans justice and we NEED it NOW! Do you know about the LGBTQIA+ Panic Defense (formerly the Gay/Trans Panic Defense)? Basically, someone can claim that they didn’t know the person was LGBTQIA+, proceed to “freak out” upon “realizing”, murder that person and then get off scot free. 11/50 US States have passed legislation barring this “defense”. ELEVEN OUT OF FIFTY STATES. IN THE US. IN 2020. ENOUGH YA’LL. We gotta work together as a community (ps. that’s a primary method of G.L.I.T.S. action) and break down these pervasive systems of racist, inhumane, bullshit and be better than our ancestors and our government. So when you buy an Alchy Ink painting from homieiadoreyou.com $5-10 of each sale will be headed to G.L.I.T.S. RAD huh?
While you’re at if, if you find your outrage untenable over this, demand your state strike this defense out of existence.
2. #ACTIVISTFASHION >>> TINY REPS GRANT FUND
YOUNG BLOODS COLLECTIVE is a creative arts & culture non profit serving the Yampa Valley & beyond. The #TINYREPS Grant Fund is monetary funding (opening once fund reaches $5,000, currently at $1,700) accessible to BIPOC [Black, Indigenous, People of Color] in Routt County. Serving for things that aren’t covered with assistance programs. Like mental health services, helping with business startup, gap funding, etc. This organization was created by my pal Sista Luna & moi back in 2016 to serve under represented creatives in the arts community.
Now with a worldwide pandemic and society grappling with the realities of systemic racism… creating a fund and a subsequent monthly virtual happy hour, TINY REPS HAPPY HOUR (1x mtn every 3rd Thurs 6pm MST) felt like the best way the org could support our local marginalized community and also stay engaged. Discussing the unique intersection of the Black Lives Matter Movement & creativity. Namely how do you keep moving things forward to change the tides and not burning your shit out.
$5-10 from each sale of #activistfashion will goes towards the TINY REPS GRANT FUND.
3. HOME GOODS >>> SEEDING SOVEREIGNTY
SEEDING SOVEREIGNTY mission statement is :
Acting in kinship and building community, like our grandparents taught us to.
Seeding Sovereignty; an Indigenous-led collective, works to radicalize and disrupt colonized spaces through land, body, and food sovereignty work, community building, and cultural preservation. By investing in Indigenous folks and communities of the global majority, we cross the threshold of liberation together.
Rise with us. Grow with us.
I followed them on insta a few years ago and the content is extra sharable and just has such a great aesthetic and mission. Which is important, finding an org with a mission, branding and action you can get behind is HUGE. It’ll be the difference of you creating a sustainable and lasting investment vs. just throwing $$$ at it 1x. That’s not really helpful, and you shouldn’t think the work is done, it’s not. So take time to research who you want to donate or volunteer to on a monthly basis, get INVESTED and spread that around to your circle. We can get further faster by investing in community and getting others to tag team with us!
$5 of each HOME GOODS [outlet covers, rock knobs] will go towards SEEDING SOVEREIGNTY.
4. ALL THE BLACK GIRL MAGIC >>>THE LOVELAND FOUNDATION
I hope that it’s clear to you by now, and this is not up for debate— Black Womxn are the SUPREME content creators! & we MUST protect our Queens! Trans especially! The ever poignant Rachel Cargle, makes anti-racism work wholly accessible + direct through her insta, writing, lectures, amazing personal course work and the celebratory Rich Auntie Supreme! This human is such a badass and has ALL THE RECEIPTS! If you don’t already know this powerhouse and her work, I IMPLORE you to explore! Making her even cooler and showing the extents her brilliance hits, she created The Loveland Foundation!
Loveland Foundation is committed to showing up for communities of color in unique and powerful ways, with a particular focus on Black women and girls. Our resources and initiatives are collaborative and they prioritize opportunity, access, validation, and healing. We are becoming the ones we’ve been waiting for.
INSPIRED! & Fills such an IMPORTANT need!!!!! I hope you’re noticing a thread and the thread is COMMUNITY IN ACTION.
$5-10 from all #Blackgirlmagic, Listen to Lizzo & RHYTHM NATION prods (products) will get pumped into The Loveland Foundation!
5. LEATHER EARRINGS>>>UTE LAND TRUST
I was born on Ute land, I currently live on Ute land. It means a lot to me to own a home, but it doesn’t escape me that it’s never been “our” land to be owned. Meanwhile I’d love these mountain mansions that are occupied 3 weeks at best out of 365, to be reclaimed for indigenous or non wyt people living, struggling, making this valley viable for everyone but them…Luckily Ute Land Trust seems to have a better handle on legal, equitable, direct actions that can reclaim First People’s land, specifically the Ute Tribe.
The Ute Land Trust (ULT) was established in 2018 by the Business Committee of the Ute Indian Tribe to assist in the healing of the deep wounds left by the injustice of the violent removal of the Ute Indian Tribe from ancestral lands in Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. The hope is that ULT will reconnect the people of these lands by engaging with other tribes, federal, state, and local governments to partner in land stewardship and traditional conservation efforts.
$5 from every Leather Earring sale will be donated to the efforts of the Ute Land Trust reclamation of Ute Lands!
