Words by Smiley Team
February is Black History Month in the US and to mark it Macy’s department store is leading a series of initiatives to promote equal opportunities for people of colour. With windows bedecked in Black history-themed displays, each store will offer new products created by Black entrepreneurs, especially for their diverse customers. Finally, they will encourage shoppers to donate to two nonprofits working to provide better training and education to Black people.
The drive is led by Macy’s chief diversity officer, Shawn Outler, who said: “As we honour Black culture and Black Brilliance, we are intensifying our commitment to the growth and advancement of Black-owned businesses, creators, changemakers, and young talent – who are all woven into the fabric of the Black experience. We are supporting current and future history-makers who will create a more rich and inclusive community for our colleagues and customers.”
In every store, shoppers will be able to donate up to $0.99, by rounding up the cost of their purchases to the next dollar. Online customers will also have the opportunity to donate at the checkout stage. When the month is over, the total donations will be divided between Black Girls CODE and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), organisations dedicated to equal educational opportunities for young Black people.
Helping students to prepare and apply for college, UNCF aims to increase the annual number of African American college graduates. Black Girls CODE improves representation in the digital sector by empowering girls aged 7 to 17 to become innovators in their field.
Macy’s celebration of the awareness month will show through their window displays, created by Black artists Michael Anthony Pegues and Rey Rosa. Based in New York City, Pegues is a self-taught, Fauve pop artist, strongly influenced by Hip Hop and graffiti culture. Rosa is an abstract-expressionist, muralist and photographer originating from the Bronx, whose work and passion for street art is influenced by a near-death experience he once had.
Inside their stores, Macy’s will offer 11 new ranges from Black entrepreneurs, including collections of cosmetics and gifts. This builds on their Fifteen Percent Pledge. They are aiming to dedicate an allocated retail space to Black-owned brands in collaboration with Cosmetic Executive Women’s Indie 26, a community of leading Black, female-founded beauty companies.
With 17 per cent of Black students graduating with a bachelor’s degree compared to 30 per cent of white students, the US has yet to achieve equal educational opportunities. This has significant impacts on economic inequalities in American society at large because, for every year spent in education, a person’s salary is expected to increase by 10 per cent.
To improve chances for everyone and drive positive change, you can donate via Macy’s campaign. For further information about how they are celebrating Black History Month or to donate to Black Girls CODE and the UNCF visit macys.com/honors.
