In a time where it seems every day we open up our social media apps, we get another news report of yet another person killed senselessly, it may seem like the power’s not in our hands to make change. As women with influence, business leaders, and innovators, I am here to tell you that we can be the change we wish to see in the world: it just takes acknowledgement, learning (+ unlearning), and messy action — because we’ll all thrive together more than we can apart.
In fact, we need each other to thrive, more than we can apart.
We condemn and openly stand against acts of hate and oppression designed to undermine the inherent value of any and all people. As a Filipina American daughter of immigrants, this past month has felt utterly heart-wrenching and soul-shattering as myself and the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community grieve the uptick in hate crimes against Asian Americans and the loss of 8 individuals in the Atlanta shooting — a majority of which were Asian women:
Mothers; sisters; friends; community members doing back-breaking work: one, to provide more opportunities than she’d been afforded for her young sons; another, saving up to travel for her 50th birthday with her daughter, this year… and the stories continue.
This week (April 14th), we open social media to the frustratingly tragic news of Daunte Wright: another young Black man senselessly murdered, just miles away from where George Floyd was killed. Daunte was a son who called his mother during the stop; a boyfriend to a woman who saw him die and had to inform his mother on the phone; a father to a child who now has to grow up without a dad.
As a collective of so many different, worthy people, we believe the stories we live and tell others are ALL needed for a richer, more connected society.
This is the very reason I started Come Alive Co, after all: to unlock impact-driven women like you to COME ALIVE in your unique gifts + audacious vision. The increasing attacks on our Black and Asian American communities directly oppose our belief that every person carries inherent, God-given value to be seen and known, made to thrive, not just survive.
Activism looks different for every person, but we need each and every one of us to step forward in our gifts to complete a more beautiful, more equitable world.
It is for this very reason we’ve decided to continue committing 5% of our profits to Black Girl Ventures: a great organization which creates access to capital for Black and Brown women entrepreneurs. Get to know their great work, here.
Flourishing in business, after all, is one of the greatest avenues to influence and make change, and yet Black and Brown women entrepreneurs do not have the same access to education or finances that would rightfully elevate their voices.
Though Black women are starting businesses at 6x the national average, they are growing 15.4% LESS than other women-owned businesses.”
stats from Black Girl Ventures
As an organization, we are committed to ongoing education of anti-racism, so we may continue to build a place where every woman feels known, seen, and welcome. The work, especially in self reflecting, is hard; the road before us, difficult. But I truly believe that in bearing one another’s burdens whether we have firsthand experience or not, we WILL begin to see the change we’ve longed for in this generation. (Mark 12:30-31)
“The second [commandment] is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’. There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:31)
We are so grateful to you, our amazing community and clients at Come Alive Co, for standing with us to create a more equitable, honoring future for women of all colors; backgrounds; beliefs. And though none of us are perfect (starting with me), I invite you to join us in taking messy action toward a more beautiful, brilliant world, such as:
- Donating to organizations doing the groundwork to protect, provide for, and promote marginalized groups
- Ongoing education and self-reflection on the roots of oppression and hate, as well as to the beauty of different cultures and their contributions to this country
- Highlighting a mix of diverse voices on your platform or communities
- Marching alongside Black, Indigenous, and other people of color in solidarity
- Having tough conversations with those around you — your voice bears influence, and you never know how that talk may open more hearts
- Calling governmental offices to demand change and accountability from our leaders
- Actively getting to know people unlike you, cultivating empathy and relishing in our shared humanity
- Insert your choice of action, here
So, grab your work gloves and hard hats and let’s get ready to bulldoze the strongholds of hate to build stronger foundations and wider doorways for love to show through. Are you with us?
In Gratitude and Hope,
Ché Elizaga Castro
Founder of Come Alive Co
