At DBK, We believe...

As a White Female Entrepreneur in America, my journey and that of DBK Home has not been one without struggles, and yet I know that if I were Black my story would be so much different. 

Even as aware and compassionate as I try to always be, as inclusive and as educated, there is a lot I wasn't quite seeing correctly until last week. 

Over the last few weeks we have paused our social media and blog posts to take a break and really listen and share the stories and the important realities of life as a Black person in America today. My takeaways are many, and overpoweringly that this is so unfair. So unreasonable, and no way to have to live. 

Creating a joyous home and a better quality of life for our clients is what we thrive in doing every day in our work, and yet, in the world around us, we are truly missing the mark, and even worse, we have been silently part of the problem. 

I have always felt that I am not racist, that I am inclusive in my business, with my friends, my neighbors and with my family. I have felt that I am doing my best to raise my daughter and future baby in a diverse community where we can celebrate the differences of those around us. I still think these things are true, but I am learning that they are not enough. 

“In a racist society it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist.” -Angela Y. Davis

I think this quote is what we need to hold onto. Right now we are reacting to a specific set of circumstances that have finally woken many of us up, but by aiming to be anti-racist, we are taking steps regularly to remain aware of our privilege, challenge stereotypes and racists norms, speak up and be proactive when it comes to Racism. 

At DBK Home, our founding principles include community and the feeling of home. We want every American, and every human, to feel at home in their own community and in their own skin. We want every person to be celebrated for all of who they are. 

In order to make a difference in our own community, we are pledging to give a portion of our profits this month to the Jersey City Anti-Violence Coalition, we have pulled together a list of Jersey City based Black-Owned Businesses to support both individually with my family and with my business. We will continue to be courteous to our neighbors and listen to them, hear their stories and acknowledge their struggles. 

From a business perspective, we have also started to pull together a list of Black-Owned businesses to purchase from for our clients to ensure that your hard earned dollars will be making a difference as well. 

Finally, we will be continuing to read, listen and step in when we can, to do the right thing and work towards being anti-racist every day.