Black history, present and future

 
 

Engage with Black-led organizations in SLO

Black history is a living and breathing story of struggle and overcoming. It is both ancient and in process now. Marginalized and underrepresented Black communities in SLO face inequitable barriers to entering business, succeeding in business and in handling daily obstacles through systemic social and racial injustices.

To create artistic, cultural, educational, and social experiences that amplify Black voices and matters of racial justice, RACE Matters SLO is a local organization that supports Black-centered spaces and cultural content in the San Luis Obispo area. Our first 2% Tuesday recipient, RACE Matters SLO is a local nonprofit that we encourage you to check out and support all year-round! Other Black-led organizations that move the needle toward more racially equitable systems in SLO include:

Purchase Black-owned brands at the co-op

We are dedicated to building supportive ecosystems for Black-owned brands and businesses in the U.S. The right business framework can mitigate or negate the effects of structural obstacles presented to Black communities that face inequitable barriers to their success. There are financial, social and political systemic barriers that hinder Black entrepreneurs and efforts to start and sustain local businesses as a part of existing supply chains that favor White producers. Because the entire business must be involved in the success of Black-owned brands, we pledge to increase our Black-owned brand visibility at the co-op and expand our Inclusive Trade brands at the co-op by 6% by August of 2023. Our current Black-owned products that you can support by purchasing at the co-op today are:

Support local Black-owned businesses directly

We love being your one-stop shop for local, organic and fresh foods. But we also love supporting Black-owned businesses directly, so we invite you to support our local vendors and Black-owned businesses at their locations in San Luis Obispo County so you can support them directly and experience their brand personally. Neighborhood storefronts like this include:

Support local businesses by visiting them in person, hear their stories and enjoy their offerings!