The Blueprint

With everything that’s happening right now in regards to racial equality, where is the answer to help amend some of these issues?

Gangster Movies.

Now hear me out for a second while I elaborate.

What’s your favourite Gangster Movie?

Scarface, Goodfellas, Casino, Paid in full, The Krays? 

What did you like about them? 

Now think about the situation we’re in right now and the way that we blacks are trying to promote black business and trying to evolve black communities then watch those movies again.

What do all those movies have in common? 

They are all origin stories about groups of certain ethnicities claiming a stake in society.

They all consist of a person having the vision to make it big in life and taking all the necessary measures to achieve what they want. They then start to transition from illegal to legal business and that’s the key in all of those Gangster movies.

The transition from illegal to legal is pivotal in communities  

Now, I'm not promoting illegal activity but what I am saying is that when societies evolve they have a very similar pattern. There are groups of individuals who have similar idea's and sometimes you don't have options in how you are going to better yourself in life so you use the resource (Whatever they may be) that are around you to your advantage.  

That's the pattern in those movies.

From living in poverty to living in prosperity.

You had men that were footsoldiers and henchmen in gangs, convert into security guards for bars and clubs. You had the men that made a lot of money on the streets put themselves in positions where they bought assets to clean their money. One of the most common assets in most of those movies would be owning a club or a bar.

The club/bar is a focal point in communities because it's one of the most versatile assets you can own. 

With a club/bar you open yourself up to:

• Security - Tough guys/gangs members you know from your neighbourhood 
• Hospitality Staff - Members from the community that want to make an honest living.
• DJs & Promoters - Popular people in your community that can contribute to bring in finances to your establishment plus bring in the local talent from your community. 
• Accountants
• Club Manager
• Janitor/Cleaning staff

Those are just a few opportunities a club can bring to people in a community. 

That's one establishment that can have a significant impact on a community but with that, there has to be honour. Honour is another key characteristic in Gangster movies. 

There has to be a level of respect and there have to be people who are committed to their roles. 

The street gangsters turn doormen and security cannot be lenient and allow their friends to put the bigger picture in jeopardy. 

They can't allow for their friends to sell drugs in the club or bring weapons in or allow for anything that could shine negativity on the establishment. Full commitment is needed and everyone's role is important in the overall progression of a community. 

That's an example of one establishment. 

You can do the same thing with a grocery store or a beauty salon, a barbershop a restaurant. Those few things I named are the key establishments that are needed in black communities in order for our money to spend more than 6 hours in the black economy. 

Now you may read this and think that we as black people have way more skills than those needed in those basic establishments and posses so many people who have education accolades that we can do more than that, and yes you would be right but those basic establishments shouldn't be overlooked. Those basic establishments are the stepping stones for what could become: Walmart, Targets, ASDA's, Benihannas, Gauchos or even Tao Clubs. Black-owned clothing lines could become the next Zara, Top Shop and H&M. Communities are like trees and need a solid foundation. There's no point just having advance tech companies if we don't have enough companies underneath to help contribute to directing traffic to the services those top industries have to offer. 

There are so many black cosmetic companies but not enough black-owned beauty stores to help sell the merchandise. There are so many black fashion lines but not enough top black retail outlet stores to make them available to the masses. The groundwork needs to be done again for us to build ourselves up again. Banks, Property developers, Doctors Lawyers. All of these industries work hand in hand to keep developing black communities but none of these factors will matter if we don't all play our part's and develop TRUST for one another.

But that's a whole other post. Until then keep loving one another keep fighting for what you believe and stay positive that today is another day that you work towards being the best you.