How we are #StrongerTogether

It’s no surprise that us here at Edge of Ember, and the rest of our community, are shocked and disturbed by the ongoing and racially discriminatory events taking place around the world.

Beyond a social post, beyond a hashtag, and beyond saying that we stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, we are taking a step back to listen and learn from the key sources around us.

With ethicality and diversity intrinsic to everything we do, we want to continue to make constructive changes in our personal lives and as a business. 

In addition to committing 100% the profits from our newly launched Stronger Together Collection to organisations that are leading the crucial fight against racism, we want to use our platform to share important materials with our audience so you too can grow, support, and learn with us. 

We have chosen to donate to;

Black Women's Health Imperative - The first U.S. based nonprofit organisation created by Black women to help protect and advance health and wellness of Black women and girls.

Show Racism the Red Card - The U.K's leading anti-racism educative charity, providing workshops for children & adults on the importance of racial equality.

We’ll keep this updated on a regular basis, and we’ll also be sharing more materials across our social channels @edgeofember. 

#StrongerTogether #BlackLivesMatter

Key organisations you can support or get involved with:

1. https://www.reclaimtheblock.org/home
2. https://bwhi.org/
3. https://www.nbwji.org/
4. https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd
5. https://www.blackvisionsmn.org/
6. https://www.stophateuk.org/fundraising/
7. https://www.byp100.org/
8. https://www.ethelsclub.com/
9. https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/

The Stronger Together collection was conceived while we were all in lockdown, separated from our friends and family in uncertain times. These colourful modern-day friendship bracelets were designed to be a symbol of our individuality and a reignition of human connection as we emerged from lockdown. 

Then we, and the rest of the world, witnessed more black lives taken at the hands of the authorities, as a result of systemic racism. It angered and disturbed us, left us struggling for words. And to do nothing about it was simply not an option. 

 

We will dedicate this collection, that celebrates diversity, to the Black Lives Matter movement.

100% of profits will go towards supporting the Black Women's Health Imperative in the US and The Red Card Organisation, an educational charity dedicated to anti-racism in the UK. 

We have always been unwavering in our mission to produce jewellery with a positive social and environmental impact. As we regularly support charities that share our values, it is important for us here and now to help fight racism as best we can. 

1. https://www.theredcard.org/home

Key pieces of literature to read suggested by our team: 

1. Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race - Reni Eddo Lodge
2. All American Boys - Jason Reynolds 
3. Another Day in the Death of America - Gary Younge
4. Citizen - Claudia Rankine
5. Freedom is a Constant Struggle - Angela Y Davis
6. White Fragility - Di Angelo 
7. Chokehold: Policing Black Men - Paul Butler
8. White Privilege - Kalwant Bhopal 
9. Memoirs of an Englishman - Paul Stephenson OBE

Suggested by our community:

1. Dear Martin - Nic Stone
2. Why do all the black kids sit together in the cafeteria? - Beverly Tatum
3. Small Great Things - Jodie Picoult 
4. Between the World and Me - Ta Nehisi Coats 
5. The Hate u Give - Angie Thomas 
6. The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness - Michelle Alexander
7. Invisible Man - Ralph Ellison

Key podcasts to listen to: 

1. Black Lives Matter; the Story of a Slogan - Touches on the subject of the Black Lives Matter hashtag movement and whether this can truly change America.
2. Code Switch - Hosted by journalists of color, our podcast tackles the subject of race head-on. It explores how it impacts every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, sports and everything in between. 
3. Momentum: A Race Forward - This podcast features movement voices, stories, and strategies for racial justice. 
4. Black Lives Matter: Five Years On - 5 years on and without a traditional leadership structure, Black Lives Matter often faces existential questions, like what is the overall strategy? And how specifically will the group advance its agenda?
5. Intersectionality Matters! - A podcast hosted by Kimberle Crenshaw, an American civil rights advocate and leading scholar of critical race theory.

Key illustrators to follow: 

1. @dai.ruiz
2. @jadepurplebrown
3. @francesmarina
4. @lettershoppe
5. @boiling.studio

Recent articles to read: 

1. The Huge Need for a Wellness Industry Designed by Black Women for Black Women - Refinery29
2. Don't Let the Dust Settle - GLAMOUR
3. The new frontier for fashion and politics - VOGUE
4. How the George Floyd killings is just as relevant in the UK, and what you can do about it - VICE
5. It does not matter if you are good - ELLE 
6. What to do if you can’t protest on the streets for Black Lives Matter - gal-dem
7. Before you check in on your black friends, read this - Refinery29