Although the past few days have felt extremely heavy, I’m thankful that the weightiness of what is going on in our country has challenged me to educate myself on white privilege, anti-racism, and racial justice. I love this quote I read on instagram that said:

Being ‘Non-Racist’ Is Not Enough. Let’s Talk About Being Actively Anti-Racist.

While I have never intentionally made racist comments or actions, I’ve felt very convicted this past week that I also haven’t been actively anti-racist, and I want to change. I want to do better. I want to learn and grow and make a difference.

Instagram has been a great tool to help educate myself, hear different perspectives and find resources. But it can also feel really overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. So I just wanted to share a few helpful resources that I’ve found over these last few days that I am incorporating into my own personal life, as well as in our home. Let me clarify: I am by no means an expert on this at all. I’m wanting to make changes in my own life and in my home to fight for racial justice. I’m learning what that looks like and how to do that, and want to share some of that process with you guys, in case you could find this to be helpful in your OWN journey to fight racism!

Resources To Help Understand + Fight Anti-Racism

What can non-black folks do better? by Avery Francis: This post is so raw and authentic and talks about how white people should react, listen and and become a lifelong advocate for the Black community.

Color of Change: Color of Change is the largest online racial justice organization. This movement actively motivates and moves decision makers towards making change and creating a less hostile world for black communities nationwide.

We The Urban: We The Urban celebrates inclusivity and covers the reality of the difficulties that marginalized groups face in our nation. On Instagram they post really great quotes and content that is truly humbling and thought provoking. They also have a website where you can read more in depth articles. I’m challenging myself to use their posts as conversation starters to discuss with Michael and my friends and family.

Educate yourself: #8CantWait: This movement discusses 8 police force policies that can reduce violence by 70% – regardless of race, age or circumstance.

I watched an IGTV from @themanacho that was incredibly helpful in me understanding white privilege and the riots that have been happening. Hearing Emmanuel’s perspective opened my eyes to white privilege and how that affects people of color.

Black women I love following on Instagram

I think there’s a lot of power in diversifying your feed and the photos you are seeing everyday! These are just a few black women that I love following – they are either authors, style bloggers or influencers!

@ohhappydani – love this girl’s account! she is such a bright light, loves God and has a beautiful voice in promoting justice

@chelseaolivia13 – chelsea is hilarious, such a genuine girl through and through and has amazing style! I’ve followed her for years and have also met her in person a few times and she is just as funny, genuine, and kind in person as she seems on IG!

@allymisslove – ally love is my favorite peloton instructor and also such a strong influencer. I love that she’s a total boss but also loves Jesus and glorifies Him with her platform!

@stylefitfatty – amazing style + such a beauty inside and out! also her story she shared in this post was really powerful and encouraged me to be “the one” who makes a stand.

@candacemread – i love candace’s style and she also has the most beautiful heart. she also has a beautiful way with words and posted an IGTV on Monday that was really helpful, in talking about starting change and the role we all play!

@priscillashirer – one of my ALL TIME favorite authors! i’m currently reading her devotional “awaken” and I’ve also done her Bible study “Armor of God” and it pretty much changed my life. Absolutely love the truth she speaks and her knowledge of the Bible.

Books I’ve Bought Recently For Myself + Shiloh

I downloaded White Fragility on my kindle, and I also just started I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown. I’m Still Here has already been so eye-opening for me as far as what it would be like to grow up as a black girl in today’s culture. I also love it because it’s written from a Christian female’s perspective and is helping me see things in a new light.

We bought the book God’s Very Good Idea for Shiloh and it really is the sweetest children’s book – teaching our kids that God made EVERY body different but we are all beautiful and a part of His family! People might look differently than you but it’s all a part of God’s very good idea! A few other children’s books that look really helpful in teaching your kids about racism + people with different skin colors than their own:

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson

Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller

Same, Same but Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw

Businesses Owned By Black Entrepreneurs

Here are some black-owned food and drink businesses you can support in Dallas right now! Some of our favorite restaurants here!

Val’s Cheesecakes – DELICIOUS little cheesecakes on lower greenville. Honestly some of the best cheesecake I’ve ever had!

Chocolate Secrets – gourmet chocolate shop off of Oak lawn! Michael and I have been in for a date night and it’s so beautiful + their chocolate and wine is amazing. They also have live music!

Brickhouse Burgers and Shakes – we haven’t been here yet but it’s in our hood in Lake Highlands and their burgers look SO good!

Cake Bar in Trinity Groves – (sorry for all the dessert options haha) but the Cake Bar is the CUTEST bakery in Trinity Groves. We’ve shot a lot of photos there because it’s so instagrammable haha and their cake pops are also delicious!

A few other (non local) black-owned businesses I encourage you to check out + support right now:

@abaloveapthecary – plant-based skincare and aromatherapy

@mentedcosmetics – first of all, gorgeous branding. this is a vegan + non-toxic beauty brand!

@houseofaama – this is a mother/daughter design dup which I think is so cool, and their clothes are 100% produced in LA!

@lollylollyceramics – the COOLEST handmade ceramics for the home! I’m obsessed with their mugs

 

Organizations I believe in & support

Every Mother Counts – Every Mother Counts is a company dedicated to making pregnancy and childbirth safe for all women – no matter your race, age or ethnicity. As a mother myself this foundation is dear to my heart because I know how mentally and physically demanding bringing a child into this world can be. I can only imagine what POC face, and I hope that giving back to this foundation gives POC proper care.

The Conscious Kid – This is one of the organizations Michael and I are donating to right now. The Conscious Kid is an “education, research and policy organization dedicated to reducing bias and promoting positive identity development in youth.” They partner with organizations, schools, children’s museums to promote access to children’s books focusing on underrepresented and oppressed groups. Such an amazing cause and I’m proud to support what they are doing.

Equal Justice Initiative – EJI is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society. They work with communities that have been marginalized by poverty and discouraged by unequal treatment…and they are committed to changing the narrative about race in America.

 

 

 

 

Like I mentioned at the beginning…I am by no means an expert here. But I am committed to learning from people in the black community, hearing their stories, and making changes in my own life and in my own home. I’m committing to be better. To teach my daughter better. And to bring you guys along with me in that process.

I would love for you to comment below and share other black-owned businesses or accounts to follow or organizations you feel passionately about! Let’s keep the conversation going and all help each other make changes!

xo Lauren