Tag Archives: African-American

Portrait of Nina

140811_r25323a-690As a child, my mother introduced me to the music (and politics) of Nina Simone.  It took me years to fully appreciate Simone’s gifts and message.  A contemporary of Lorraine Hansberry, James Baldwin and Harry Belafonte, “her intelligence and restless force attracted African-American culture’s finest minds.” Simone was was one of the true pioneering voices of the Civil Rights movement. She changed the face of both music and race relations in America.

“Her skin was very black, and she was made fully aware of that, along with the fact that her nose was too large. The aesthetics of race—and the loathing and self-loathing inflicted on those who vary from accepted standards of beauty—is one of the most pervasive aspects of racism, yet it is not often discussed. The standards have been enforced by blacks as well as by whites.”

Click here to read the full New Yorker article, A Raised Voice, How Nina Simone Turned the Movement Into Music.

Photo: Courtesy New York Public Library

To learn more about Simone, start by reading I Put A Spell On You, The Autobiography of Nina Simone and listening to The Essential Nina Simone

Fernando Ruiz & Heavenly Jenkins need not apply…

 

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There are a total of 15 charts.

I chose “Number 15″ to share, but I guarantee that the other 14 will enlighten you about two of the most vital and growing consumer groups –

African-Americans and Latinos

“No. 15 – Employers are more likely to turn away job seekers if they have African-American sounding names.”*

Click here to be enlightened.

 

 

*Source: “15 Charts that Prove We’re Far from Post-Racial,” HuffPost Black Voices, 7/2/14

Just in time for Father’s Day…

“People have a core belief about black dads — whatever it is — and they’ll either hold onto that core belief of ‘Oh, my gosh, black guys are deadbeats’ and not listen to a word I’ll say,” he said. But there was another response. “The other people are the people who have their core belief shattered. This guy seems pretty cool, he’s black and loves his kids. What’s going on?”

I have often presented to clients the fact that there are more female heads of household in the African-American Community vs the General Population.

While this may be true, clients like Jim Thrower were always quick to remind me that this does not mean that African-American men are not involved in their families or involved in raising their kids.

The above quote is an excerpt from an NPR story, White House Urges Dads to Join Work-Life Balance Conversation.  Proof that stereotypes should never be confused with facts.

Click here to check it out and Happy Father’s Day.

 

 

 

Headstart – The Evolution of Local Store Marketing to Black Consumers

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If you, your company or brand want to develop an authentic connection with African-American Consumers, start with African-American Women. 

To those who know my marketing philosophy, this will not come as a revelation…

According to a Neilsen Consumer Report+,

Black Women represent —

  • 54% of the adult Black population
  • and control 43% of the annual spending power for the Black population
  • 29% of Black Head of Households  (vs 20% for the overall population)

It holds true that understanding how, when, and where African-Americans shop and what drives their purchase and purchase intent is key to every successful marketing campaign.

All one has to do is start a relevant conversation with the consumer.

With that in mind, I am always intrigued to see how we local store marketing specifically targeting African-Americans has evolved.

While the example is specific to the hair and beauty category, I applaud the simple yet effective point of sale “kit” that supports Derek J’s “Weave & Wig Styler.”

The “kit” includes

  • Free-standing kiosk (with shelves to hold the product)
  • 2 sided door cling
  • Register Topper

Okay, so there is a “built in” based on Derek J’s popularity as a hair stylist on the Bravo show, “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” but isn’t that the point?

In this case, a general market hair care product has been “rebranded” with “messaging” that addresses the unique hair concerns for Black women.

And the beauty  – (no pun intended) – is that income level is not a barrier when it comes to specific purchases.

Hair is chief among these…

Let’s keep the conversation going and evolving.

 

+ Reslient, Recepetive and Relevant – The African Consumer 2013 Report, Copyright ©2013 The Neilsen Company

 

 

 

She taught Class

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We lost two African-American Icons this week, Gloria Lynne and Maxine Powell.

Miss Powell, was Motown’s Maven of Style. Her pupils included Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and Smokey Robinson.

To quote Miss Powell,

“I teach class…and class will turn the heads of kings and queens.”

Check out this link to find out more about this great American icon.

Miss Lynne was a significant musical presence in my childhood home. Her unique jazz style and ability to interpret a lyric are qualities that should have attracted a greater audience.