When we started Smudge, it was in part because we wanted to create a company that helped people feel more connected to themselves and to the world around them -- a mission that over the last week has felt more out of reach than ever.
We’ve only been in business for a little over a year, and by all measures, we are a but a tiny piece of the corporate ecosystem. But like most of you, we as individuals and as Smudge, have witnessed the events of the last week and feel that no matter our size, no matter how insignificant we think we are, we need to be part of an urgent call to action to end the continued racism that exists and is contributing to the death and discrimination of BIPOC (specifically black men).
Until we are all actively working to dismantle and rehabilitate the institutions that are responsible for perpetuating the unacceptable status quo, what is happening in Minnesota and in towns across our country will continue.
Here is what Smudge Wellness is committed to doing as of today:
- We will be making a corporate donation to Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc., an organization whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on black communities by the state and vigilantes.
- To the extent we’re allowed to by law, we will support with our energy and money political candidates who support platforms that seek to dismantle systemic racism and support the equality of BIPOC, including as those platforms relate to police and prison reform, wellness programs for BIPOC, and voter fraud.
- We commit to actively sourcing vendors and business partners owned and operated by BIPOC wherever possible.
- We will seek out opportunities to provide our wellness products and guidance to underserved communities and to partner with companies serving those communities.
- We will partner with like-minded small businesses to create a coalition for a continued dialogue and action on how to encourage equitable hiring practices, professional development, and corporate leadership of BIPOC.
We do not feel like experts or leaders in making change on this front, but we are committed to pouring energy into this process and learning as we go. Call us out on our mistakes and be part of the conversation with us. If we’ve learned anything about building a spiritual wellness company that began with us dealing with personal trauma, it’s that the work of digging deep and improving our worlds can be very messy, but worth it. Let’s roll up our sleeves and get going. We've got shit to do.
Xoxo
Lara and Luigi
