Ethical Commercialization of Black Culture and Economic Equity with Tommy Johnson

Just Black Talking

The next step in Black culture's maturity, going from fighting the power to being in power requires economic expansion, and to achieve this goal, we first need to address the economic inequity that reinforces systemic racism.

As corporations are interested in restoring equity in a sustainable way and being more inclusive and diverse, this is the right moment for Black communities to raise consciousness about the need for equity in the global economy.

In this episode, I chat with Tommy Johnson, Community Enterpriser and Business Development Manager, about creating programs that leverage the economic growth in Black communities. He is the founder and lead contributor of the Originals Nation, a nonprofit organization focused on organizing Black America for economic progress and addresses the economic inequalities reinforcing systemic racism, as well as the founder of Made With Black Culture - a certification process, marketplace and trademark that verifies Black culture's impact on the global economy.

Tommy, driven by his visionary and risk-taking spirit and inspired by the Jewish organization The Orthodox Union, created the concept of ethical commercialization of Black culture, meant to harness and repurpose resources back into the Black community.

Tune in to Just Black Talking and learn about Tommy's creative and defying alternatives to create economic equity.

Some Questions I Ask:

• Why don't we start talking about Made With Black Culture? Can you describe a bit about this? (2:40)
• You began searching, researching, you came across a model with this Orthodox Union. Where did that lead you to? (12:39)
• Can you describe the term original people? (16:17)
• Can you give me an example of how Black Culture is for sale, and it's generating income, but it's not being paid out to the stewards, creators, and makers of Black Culture? (20:35)
• What are other activities and goals for reinvesting into Black Communities? (28:14)
• Any kind of progress is political and legislative. What are some of the goals of reaching out into those avenues? (37:08)
• You mentioned blockchain and marketing. How do those two things come together? (41:13)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Tommy's moment of inspiration (6:32)
• The Orthodox Union model and its purpose (10:40)
• Dialogue, the program made to raise consciousness (14:35)
• The original people concept (16:50)
• Black culture is the number one commodity (20:07)
• A holistic approach to healing (28:43)
• The importance of blockchain in the authentication process (41:21)

Resources:

• Made With Black Culture website
• Originals Nation website
• Originals Nation Facebook
• Originals Nation Instagram

Connect with Tommy:

• Linkedin

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