SWISS, BEST known as member of BRIT and MOBO award-winning group So Solid Crew, who rose to fame in the early 2000s, has launched a new initiative called Black Pound Day.
The event, which will take place on June 27, was inspired by the energy of the Black Lives Matter protests that have taken place in the UK and across the world in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
The chart topping star said that on the day people would be encouraged to buy from black businesses and black products for the day.
Empower the community
Following the June 27 event each month, there will be a dedicated Black Pound Day which will provide the opportunity to empower the community to build the economy and gain greater knowledge to be able to access and invest in black businesses.
Swiss said: “With the recent unfortunate events I could foresee my community plunging into another cycle of historical trauma. I wanted to somehow repurpose that energy into a positive outcome. Black Pound Day was the result of that motivation.”
Frustration
He added: “Given the recent events that have affected the black community the world over, Black Pound Day is intended to be a way of repurposing our frustration in the UK and has laid out a forward thinking vision to rebuild ourselves with a self-rewarding incentive that has the potential to be long lasting.”
The recent wave of Black Lives Matter protests against police brutality have also highlighted the economic inequality faced by black people in the UK.
According to figures from the Minority Ethnic Enterprise Centre of Expertise people of Black African origin are four times more likely than their white counterparts to be denied loans outright.
Furthermore, a recent study by Cambridge University found that black victims of fraud are more than twice as likely to be denied a refund from their bank than a white customer.
Among those backing Black Pound Day are rapper Wretch 32 and TV host Big Narstie.
Also supporting Swiss in the Black Pound Day initiative are Riki Bleau & Glyn Aikins, Presidents of Since ’93, a full service entertainment company that includes a record label, management and publishing house.
‘Think big’
They said in a statement: “Swiss has created something powerful here, as a black business and entrepreneurs we feel it’s important that we support this community & commerce initiative.”
“A lot of the time the news cycle presents a version of black people and culture that just highlights sports and entertainment, we need to open the conversation to inspire young people that they can be anything. Lets encourage them to build things and to think big’’.
You can find all black owned businesses on the Black Pound Day website where you can list and support the businesses: https://blackpoundday.uk/directories/
Comments Form
5 Comments
What a wonderful idea from this young man. It is said that an Asian pound passes through eight other Asian businesses before re-entering caucasian society.
The pound earned by African and Caribbean heritage Subjects passes through one other African heritage business before re-entering Caucasian society.
This is one reason why African heritage businesses struggle and cannot even depend on custom from African-skinned customers.
I welcome this great initiative of investing in black owned businesses.
I think that we need an additional caveat that ensures a percentage of the money spent, is further invested in black-owned enterprises that uplift our communities.
If not, then I fear that our hard earned cash will simply vanish quickly into other communities that may not support what we are trying to achieve.
Surely racist no?
Hi there,
There seems to be a problem with the above link?
https://blackpoundday.uk/directories/
An error message keeps popping up after you get to a certain point…
Just thought I’d let you know as I have tried several times since this morning!
Blessings!
Jay
Hi. Afraid that link never. Id have loved to get involved married to a black woman. Would love to see a directory of businesses we can support