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Giving back while shopping : Halal cosmetics and Black Lives Matter

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Our Black Year Book Review


I love a lot of books, I like even more, but few books change my life.  Our Black Year is one of those life changing books.  The book did not give me a whole new outlook on life (though I am sure it will for many). I picked it up because it was aligned with what I believe in, so I was not expecting that. What it did do was inspire me to get started on my own personal journey to support black business. Our Black Year quickly became one of those books that I recommend to others. 

Our Black Year is sort of a memoir of one middle-class black family's experience at buying from only black-owned businesses for a year.  Maggie Anderson gives you a window view into the challenges she and her family faced when committing to buying black. It was great to get a picture of what it's really like to fully commit to the cause. 

In terms of writing style, it was an easy read.  I appreciated the research done on the current and historic state of black business and consumerism in America.  At the end of the book, a list of Black Businesses is included. For me though the best part of the book is the share fact that it was written.  It's a hey buying black is not just an idea, it's something that can actually be done.  The fact that a family was able to walk the walk and not just talk the talk is in and of its self, inspiring. In fact, I do not think it is possible to read this and not at minimum become more mindful of where you spend your money.

 You can find Maggie Anderson at Authormaggieanderson.com or check out her list of Black Owned Businesses here at Maggies List.  You can also listen to one of her many talks and interviews on YouTube, I will share a TedTalk here.

To read my own tips for Buying Black read my post here. 
What book changed your life? Let me know in the comments.

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