If you haven’t watched this video, you’re making a big mistake. The beat is beautifully smooth, the lyrics are powerful and direct, but it is the video that got me. It was listening to ‘Black man, black man black man’ almost chanting in support while watching a seemingly never-ending collection of clips featuring black men, women, families and communities. These clips feature successful black-owned businesses from the US mostly, but also internationally. (Remember to keep watching once the credits start, there are additional international businesses )
There has been a big push to support local black businesses (which you should), and Williams and JAY-Z did the work to feature dozens of entrepreneurs in their element. My only wish was there was a chant or more vocal support for black women, but that is the femenist in me needing to support other women. In the video, however, they work to make up for it. The music video features educators, dancers, midwifes, artists, skateboarders, bakers, app designers, chefs, entertainers, florists
I’ve watched this video about 6 times in the past hour, not for the music but for the knowledge. I love that they put REAL knowledge in this video. One in particular sticks out, featuring Debbie Allen, the CEO of Tribe Midwifery. “Entrepreneur” highlighted the fact that “black women are 3-4 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women”. As a mother I knew this because I am personally interested in our countries lacking care for new moms, but to see this on such a big platform is beautiful. Seeing TyAnthony Davis founding Vox collegiate Junior High for the students in his community who weren’t being served (by our disastrous education system, but that’s for another day). I love it. Thank you Pharrell Williams and JAY-Z for making this song, and this video, right now.
Wow.
If you haven’t watched this video, you’re making a big mistake. The beat is beautifully smooth, the lyrics are powerful and direct, but it is the video that got me. It was listening to ‘Black man, black man black man’ almost chanting in support while watching a seemingly never-ending collection of clips featuring black men, women, families and communities. These clips feature successful black-owned businesses from the US mostly, but also internationally. (Remember to keep watching once the credits start, there are additional international businesses )
There has been a big push to support local black businesses (which you should), and Williams and JAY-Z did the work to feature dozens of entrepreneurs in their element. My only wish was there was a chant or more vocal support for black women, but that is the femenist in me needing to support other women. In the video, however, they work to make up for it. The music video features educators, dancers, midwifes, artists, skateboarders, bakers, app designers, chefs, entertainers, florists
I’ve watched this video about 6 times in the past hour, not for the music but for the knowledge. I love that they put REAL knowledge in this video. One in particular sticks out, featuring Debbie Allen, the CEO of Tribe Midwifery. “Entrepreneur” highlighted the fact that “black women are 3-4 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women”. As a mother I knew this because I am personally interested in our countries lacking care for new moms, but to see this on such a big platform is beautiful. Seeing TyAnthony Davis founding Vox collegiate Junior High for the students in his community who weren’t being served (by our disastrous education system, but that’s for another day). I love it. Thank you Pharrell Williams and JAY-Z for making this song, and this video, right now.