It’s the twenty-first century. One would expect a more accommodating society that is free from racial discrimination, stigmatization, oppression, and stereotypes. However, it is unfortunate that our society as we know it still struggles with this daily.
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, our country was thrown into chaos with the killing of George Floyd, recalibrating the Black Lives Matter movement as protestors took to the streets here and across the globe. The subsequent reactions to this nationwide protest clearly showed the place of racism in today’s society and how the US still struggles in moving past discrimination of any kind. For this reason, Christopher Scott felt compelled to launch I’m Black And, a clothing brand focused on and dedicated to serving as a positive and uplifting source for the Black community. Scott has been advocating for a more accepting business, entertainment, and social environment where everyone feels welcomed through this brand.
Chris Scott is a first-generation college graduate; senior dual engineer; local, national, and state multi-award winner; entrepreneur; and professional speaker. The company focuses on dispelling stigmas and stereotypes about the Black community. Chris was drawn towards advocating for inclusiveness because of his own life experiences, which brought on anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Overcoming these struggles gave him a new outlook in life. Therefore, he decided to take up the role of a mental health advocate, noting the stigma around therapy in the Black community. He understands that words are very powerful and can contribute to a person’s success or demise.
For Chris, growing up in a world where the names of Black people were synonymous with negativity, he knew something had to be done. Crimes committed against Black people have a way of being stereotypical and heavily politicized and stereotyped. Change was necessary.
Creating I’m Black And became an attempt to change the mindset towards Black people and for Black people. In sharing his experiences with being underestimated, Chris said, “I wanted to create a brand that caused a good feeling whenever black people saw it and said it, I’m Black And…. I was stereotyped and stigmatized by professors not believing that I could succeed in electrical engineering. I was congratulated for taking care of my son, because ‘most black men don’t take care of their kids.’” “I was approached for fitting the description of perpetrators in multiple store thefts, based on my skin color,” he shared. The brand became necessary to make Black people feel good about themselves from a healthy mental perspective.
I’m Black And is dedicated to empowering the black community. Its mission is to dispel stereotypes and stigmas through its apparel by using phrases that reach out to Black people and positively impact their mental health. Positive reinforcement, motivational phrases, and uplifting words can be found inscribed on every product.
Learn more about Chris Scott and the I’m Black And mission via its website.
