The D. Diaries is committed to promote community for small businesses in and around Denton. Our mission is to be the voice for small businesses in a world of corporations. We love people as we want to be loved, and promote businesses who have the same honesty and integrity as us.

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We here at The D. Diaries are hurting today. We are hurting for our black brothers and sisters who endure a life we could never imagine. We understand that we will never understand, but we stand with you. That is why in today’s post, we are sharing resources for you to educate yourself with. From books, articles, movies, and more, these are the resources myself and the team are turning towards to educate ourselves and become aware. We also know that many people may want to help support our local POC population. Which is why we are also linking local resources that you can volunteer, learn, and talk to to continue educating and serving.

Above photos from the historic Denton Protest that happened on June 1st, 2020. Photos taken by Silent Stag Media, original content here.

Start Here

The google document that was created by Sarah Flicker and Alyssa Klein. Both are vocal equal rights activists who are taking this time to continue to educate their communities. For me, I discovered the resource through my friend Lara Days, and we both agree that this list is one of the most well written and thought out resources out there currently.

One of the books that I purchased to help educate myself is When Affirmative Action was White by Ira Katznelson. Ira Katznelson fundamentally discusses our understanding of twentieth-century American history and how the programs passed during the New Deal and Fair Deal are deeply rooted in racism. Other books from the above list that are highly recommended are:

• Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
• Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
• White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo, PhD

If you are on social media, there are also many organizations, artists, and influencers to follow who use their voice to speak up. The lovely ladies who created the Anti-Racism document are a great place to start. You can find Sarah Flicker and Alyssa Klein‘s instagrams here. Here is a list of others to follow:

Organizations:

• Be The Bridge (beabridgebuilder)
• Equal Justice Initiative (eji_org)
• Color Of Change (colorofchange)

Influencers to Follow

• Danielle Coke (ohhappydani)
• Gloria Umanah (gloriaumanah)
• Rachel Elizabeth Cargle (Rachel.cargle – she also has a FREE 30 day #DoTheWork course you can subscribe to to continue to stay educated.)
• LaTasha Jackson-McDougle (cherylsvoice) She is Local!
• Quite Frank (quite_frank) He is Local!

Donate:

• The Texas Organizing Project
• Bail fund for Justice for George Floyd protesters
• Unicorn Riot

Local Resources

Here is Denton, we have a few resources to help bring awareness. One of them is the Denton Black Chamber of Commerce. The group has been serving Denton for over 20 years, and has a goal to make the “American Dream” come true for all of its citizens. Another local resource is the NAACP-Denton County, Texas which strives to unify communities within and reach out to the external communities so that they may cohesively make a greater impact in everyone’s lives. Their website contains not only historical references of the Juneteenth celebration, but a blog with articles from scholars and members discussing racism and educating the public. You can find more resources at these locations:

• North Texas Black Business Directory
• Denton Black Film Festival
• Denton African-American Scholarship Foundation

Above photos from the historic Denton Protest that happened on June 1st, 2020. Photos taken by Silent Stag Media, original content here.

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Do you know a Dallas/Denton/Fort Worth protestor that has been arrested?

There are a multitude of law offices and private lawyers who are offering their services pro-bono for protestors who have been wrongfully arrested. If this is someone you know, this google doc includes DFW based businesses who can help free your loved one. Also, if you are going to attend a protest locally, Know Your Rights is a great document to understand your rights as a protestor. If you are financially able to donate to organizations who are helping bail out wrongfully arrested protestors, these few are based out of Texas:

1. 400+1 Federation Bail Fund
2. Restoring Justice: Houston Bail Fund
3. Faith in Texas: Dallas Bail Fund
4. Texas Organizing Project: Community Bail Out Fund

Through further research, I discovered a large list of additional resources for mutual aid funds for the Black Lives Matter movement. You can find a list of additional ways you can help, funds in immediate need, petitions and donations, lawyer information, and a plethora of additional resources here.

Local Black Businesses

Here in Denton, we are blessed to be a community made up of many small businesses. We also are blessed with amazing POC businesses that you can go out and support right now! To kick off the list, I have had the pleasure of speaking with and hearing Nateisha of LashUp BrowDown speak at FlintConf 2020. She has a passion for beauty and employs up and coming lash and brow artists through her salon. Check her out today and book an appointment with her team here! Another business that delivers happiness is Sweet Rolls Denton. You can find their team at the community market on Saturdays selling their Denton famous cinnamon rolls! One business that I want to give a shoutout too as well is Logan’s Shoe Repair. Their team has fixed and resoled many pairs of shoes for my husband and I. Not only are they fast and reliable, but they are 100% a fair price! To get a pair of shoes fixed, give them a call at their Office: 940-243-4941.

Here is a link of more Black businesses in Denton: Black Owned Businesses in Denton, Texas

It’s time to show your support and educate ourselves.

We have stayed silent for far too long, now is the time to use our privilege to fight for our neighbors. Knowledge is power, and we have the power to educate ourselves with the above resources. We also have the power to connect with our community and volunteer with various programs! You can make a difference and help change the mindset to a positive and more understanding one. You also can choose to spend your dollars at Black businesses to support not only their small business dreams, but your community as well.

I want to end with this, I am learning to be a better ally. I am educating myself so I can be not only more mindful, but be a better advocate for my POC brothers and sisters. My DM’s are always open for peaceful discussions about this topic, I am ready to use my privilege to make a difference.