LifeWorks NW’s Post

'Fast food is now so cheap and readily available that its consumption is associated more with straitened circumstances than with affluent ones, but that wasn’t always the case. Chatelain, a history professor at Georgetown and the author of “South Side Girls,” about the experiences of black girls in Chicago during the Great Migration, recalls the early days of restaurant franchising in the 1940s and ’50s, when fast-food chains emerged as emissaries of the American dream — with all the complexities of race and money that entailed. Chatelain is critical of the fast food industry, showing how it was the undisputed beneficiary of government largess. A highway system bisected communities and created captive markets, offering McDonald’s opportunities for growth in the 1970s, when the growth of suburban outlets was flagging as gas prices started to rise. Franchisees could take advantage of federal loans, which Chatelain calls “corporate welfare to the inner city.” As for black capitalism, she argues it was never going to be a sustainable remedy for economically desperate neighborhoods, even if she can understand why black leaders — in communities long underserved by the government — would feel pressed to take a chance on what the marketplace might yield. “Increasingly, as fast food expanded,” she writes, “the choice between a McDonald’s and no McDonald’s was actually a choice between a McDonald’s or no youth job program.” “History encourages us to be more compassionate toward individuals navigating few choices,” Chatelain writes, “and history cautions us to be far more critical of the institutions and structures that have the power to take choices away.” #fastfood #franchise #americandream #corporatewelfare #blackcommunities #blackcapitalists #entrepreneurs #usgovernment #pulitzerprize #blackhistorymonth

February is Black History Month, an opportunity to celebrate Black communities' integral role in America's history and culture. It is also a time to recognize the disproportionate barriers to that Black individuals face due to discrimination and systemic racism. In our fight for food justice, it is important to acknowledge that the exploitation of Black communities was the foundation of our current food system. Our history of slavery, sharecropping, and redlining are just a few of the racist systems that deprived Black people from having agency around food. Black communities still face the consequences of these systems today. Nearly 23% of Black people in the United States experienced food insecurity in 2022, which is almost 2 ½ times the rate of white people (Feeding America). Additionally, communities that are predominantly Black are more likely to be food deserts, meaning Black residents lack access to the fresh, nutritious foods that support health and wellbeing. In order to break down these barriers and expand food access, we can follow the lead of the Black communities that have been at the heart of the Food Justice movement since it began. The work of Black activists during the Civil Rights Movement produced many of the food assistance programs that still operate today. Beyond food assistance, it's also critical that we work to reconstruct our food system so that all people have sovereignty and agency around food. You can help advance food justice by supporting anti-racist policy, shopping at Black-owned businesses, donating to organizations that empower black communities, and learning more about the ways that systemic racism has shaped our food system. #foodaccess #foodrescue #foodjustice #foodsecurity #healthequity #healthequitynow #healthequityjustice #healthequityforall #foodwaste #denvervolunteers #volunteer #foodpantry #denverfood #denver #giveback #sustainability #BlackHistoryMonth

  The dialogue on equity and equality persists. Shoutout to Nicola M., PR queen, for amplifying the discussion. 2020, many corporations posted black squares, shouting "We Are With You." Who exactly are they with?   The numbers don't lie: →6%, senior roles are held by ethnic minorities. →0.02%, Black women receive startup funding. →7.1%, Black ethnic minorities secure startup funding.     The racists don’t want Black people to love themselves. They know our melanated skin provides a feeling and a deep sense of knowing we are made of something stronger.   A strength and a pride that no racist can touch or destroy As a marketing, professional and event organiser working with foodie founders, I refuse to remain silent. I speak out against the racism Black individuals get daily. Are you a Black or ethnic minority foodie founder? Do you want to get your product in front of supermarket buyers? Join us at the Spill the Beans Get your 🎟 👉🏿 https://lnkd.in/eUR6zjj9 📌P.S. Check out Marco Pierre White's video teaching ethnic folks how to cook Rice & Peas. Standby for his "punchy jerk rice" hitting the shelves. 🛒….MADTING ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 👋I’m Colin, aka (“the food scene’s Kanya King”) a London-based food and drink Content Creator🧙 📚Helping foodie brands promote themselves via storytelling. 💻Connecting foodie brands with their target audiences via social media 🗣 Wanna chat? 📲Connect with me, and we can talk about your projects😁

Menstrual hygiene may not be a super popular conversation topic, but it's so critical for the health and wellbeing of all people who menstruate. We need to talk about it. And, as with *so many* things, the contributions of Black women and Black inventors to this important issue are usually overlooked. Thanks to Lena Musoka, MPH, MSc and Sarah Lebu for this informative read.

It’s the last day of #BlackMaternalHealthWeek, but you can always amplify the voices of Black Mamas through awareness, activism, and community-building. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eRyCtZa #BlackMamasMatter #BMHW24

Visibility around Black-owned businesses is rising in the wake of ethical shoppers wanting to support businesses dedicated to social and racial justice. Blavity breaks down Black business owners in the food, jewelry, and fashion sectors approaching their business sustainably. #MAKERS #MAKERSWomen #BlackOwnedBusinesses

Btw there isn’t some secret code that guarantees if you're an ethnic minority working on a campaign, people will automatically listen to you😐. I wanted to address Heinz's latest controversial advert, but from a slightly different perspective. As a young Black woman who's spent the last five years working in media, advertising, and partnerships, I can absolutely recognise why this ad is problematic for many reasons: - Where is the Black father? - Realistically, many African or Caribbean families wouldn’t serve Heinz pasta sauce at a wedding so it’s not very authentic. - Why not feature a Black family? - Why does everyone give the woman disgusted looks? Plays into black women stereotypes. These are just a few of the concerns people have raised. I’ve also seen a lot of comments saying: “There was clearly no Black or ethnic minority person working on the team for this to have been approved.” While I understand where this statement is coming from, let me tell you for free: One of the biggest cultural shocks I faced entering this industry was often being the only Black woman in the room, whether in my team or in meetings with clients. And yes, I've had to call out moments when campaigns were heading in a direction that would have been instantly canceled by the public. But what many don’t realise is that speaking up can sometimes come with serious consequences. I’ve faced repercussions just for raising concerns. I even once got accused of calling someone racist when all I did was point out that the campaign wouldn’t resonate with the Black community. The reality is, it’s not always about the absence of Black or minority voices in the room—it’s about the lack of safe spaces to speak up without being penalised or labelled as a problem. There have been more than a few times where I’ve felt the weight of having to call things out, and it took a toll on my mental health. Eventually, I told myself that I couldn’t keep carrying that burden alone. So my point is this: I don’t know if there was a black person in that Heinz meeting room. But even if there was it wouldn’t mean the responsibility for a campaign’s failure rests solely on their shoulders. It’s possible they spoke up and were ignored or overruled. There is a larger issue about creating environments where all voices can be heard without fear of backlash. I don’t have all the answers, but I do know that it’s not just about hiring one token person to check a diversity box. True progress comes from actively bringing in diverse voices and ensuring they have the power to contribute meaningfully. Brands should consider partnering with expert agencies that understand and are deeply connected to the communities they aim to reach. This conversation needs to happen more often—we have to move beyond surface-level diversity and focus on genuine inclusion and empowerment. #heinzbeans #heinzsdvert #diveristyinmedia

Some interesting points raised here. Worth a read!

August is Black Business Month! 🖤  Let's come together to support and celebrate the incredible black-owned businesses that drive our communities forward. Know a black-owned business that deserves the spotlight? Tag them below and let's show them some love! 💪🏾 #blackownedbusiness #blackbusines #blackbusinessmonth #blackowned #smallbusinesshelp #smallbusiness #blackvirtualassistant #blackcommunity #GetYouaQuiVA #QuiSupportSolutions

Many Black individuals, deeply wounded by the trauma of white supremacy and anti-Black racism, inadvertently adopt the harmful behaviors that have been inflicted upon them. This often results from their resilience in coping with the consequences of trying to navigate and succeed within a white supremacy-dominant culture, which can lead to the internalization of these negative practices as a means of survival.Through collective healing and community support, we can forge a path to resilience that empowers us to thrive without resorting to harmful behaviors. Together, we can break the cycle.#BlackLiberation #CycleBreakers #HealingCenteredCommunity