With 2020 being the year that it was, and the huge disparities between white and black citizens being highlighted through the death of George Floyd and the aftermath with global protests taking place, the world only had one choice, which was to sit down and listen.
In response to the global outcry, and as a way of harnessing the positive energy being driven from the anti-racist movement, Swiss, member of BRIT and MOBO award-winning group So Solid Crew, launched the first Black Pound Day on 27th June 2020. Black Pound Day was created as a way to help bring about positive systemic change, encouraging us to replace our normal spending habits by purchasing from black businesses on the first Saturday of every month, supporting the growth within the UK’s black economy.
One year on from launch, it’s time to look back at what has been achieved in a relatively short space of time, and how else we can continue to grow as a global community, bringing support to black businesses. As we know, racial discrimination is not a new challenge in the UK; however, the anti-racist movement shed light on racial bias and discrepancies within the country. Black Pound Day is a real solution-based community-empowering campaign and motivating endeavour that plans to leave a better infrastructure for the next generation to walk into.
As part of the continued campaign, a series of key stats are set to be released revealing the following:
- For every £1 of white wealth, Black Caribbeans have £0.20p and Black Africans have £0.10p
- On average a black household has ¼ of the wealth of a white households
- In 2021, the number of black record label presidents has more than doubled, from the three there were last year
The research has, on the flip side, also proved positive results are coming out of the campaign, including:
- Since the first Black Pound Day, some businesses have seen their yearly turnover increase by 300%, and with one even seeing a 400% increase
- Black owned businesses have seen sales more than double on each Black Pound Day
Following on from last year’s launch, Riki Bleau & Glyn Aikins, Presidents of Since ’93 Records, whose mission has always been to work with entrepreneurial artists, creating a culture focused on developing grassroots talent into future global successes, will continue to supporting the on-going campaign and anniversary through the launch a billboard campaign across London, focusing on areas with a strong community, driving people to black owned business.
Swiss, Founder of Black Pound Day commented; “In 2020, I foresaw my community plunging into another cycle of historical trauma, and I knew I needed to somehow repurpose that energy into a positive outcome. Looking back at the past year, it’s amazing to see the noise which has come off the back of the Black Pound Day movement, and how not only are we able to support our eclectic community, but also continue to grow and help drive progress.”
In under a year Black Pound Day has grown to become the biggest black-led economic movement in the UK & Europe, we’ve managed to repurpose our energy turning trauma into triumph as political protesters become economic activists. Looking back at the past year has showcased that when our community and allies alike come together for sustainable change the results can be truly life changing.
Riki Bleau, Founder of Since ’93 added; “Last year Swiss created an incredibly powerful movement, and as a black business and entrepreneurs we felt it was important that we support this community & commerce initiative. Over the past year we have seen the movement’s momentum continue to build and it’s the continued support from the wider community across the UK.”
The stats come off the back of a series of anniversaries and flurry of media articles that continue to show us how much more we still have to accomplish, including:
- The fourth anniversary of Windrush Day, which was introduced on the 70th anniversary of the Windrush migration. Recent Home Office figures show just 687 claims for Windrush compensation have been paid out so far. Yet analysis from the National Audit Office shows more than 2,000 claims are outstanding
- The publication of research from the Runnymede Trust and CLASS, revealing just how much gentrification and the dynamics of race and class impact who can afford to live in London – and who is being left behind
- Release of National Geographic documentary ‘Rise Again: Tulsa and the Red Summer,’ looking at the events leading to the Tulsa Massacre of 1921, the 100th Year Anniversary of which was earlier in June
- And one year on from the murder of George Floyd in the US, and the global protests highlighting police brutality against minorities
If you have a black owned business, you can go to their website and apply to be featured as part of their directory of black owned businesses ahead of Black Pound Day here: https://blackpoundday.uk/
