LessWork Literature series is a collection of information surrounding BLACK influential artists, businesses, and resources in Madison, Wisconsin. As negative as 2020 may have seemed, some of us like Brandi Grayson were able to see or cause a silver lining in hopes of believing that #CoronaCantKillIt.
Opposed to responding to divisive strategies to destroy and discredit BLACK inclusion we believe it is imperative for "BLACKS" in general to determine proactive approaches that will allow us to protect the "The BLACK House" (The BLACK Community).
Recently, I interviewed Local Leader Brandi Grayson, owner of Urban Triage. A Madison-based non-profit organization focused on creating a system of community support led by Black people for Black People. The work of Urban Triage centers the needs of Black families with children and BLACK community members who are the most vulnerable.
(photo credit: Brandi Grayson (LinkedIn)
I wanted Brandi as comfortable as she always is when she addresses BLACK topics. Reminding her that there are no right or wrong answers as this is Brandi's time to Control of The Narrative.
(photo credit: Brandi Grayson (Twitter)
1ne: As a Black Community, Where Are We?
Brandi: As a BLACK Community we are at the tipping point of the iceberg for a paradigm shift. Even though some people may not see the amazingness that is taking place within the BLACK community, it's happening. In the BLACK Community we are at the cusp of a huge awakening. I can see it and feel it in community leaders and everyone. There's this coming to and accepting and saying, "We can and will cause and create a different paradigm for BLACK people." That is what I think.
(photo credit: Urban Triage (Facebook event page)
(photo credit: Urban Triage (website)
1ne: That was beautiful, Where Are We Going?
Brandi: I don't know where we are going. I don't think we have to know. Part of our struggle as black people within this context of white-supremacy racism. We too often embody white-supremacy attributes and one of those attributes is knowing "the how and where." As spiritual beings and people who are causing and creating there is no way for us to know where we are going because we are creating in the moment, in present and in the now. Which allows us to open an infinite possibility. I do not where we are going but I know in my heart and in my spirit that we are causing and creating a new paradigm where BLACK people are liberated. Mentally liberated and unlocked from the mental slavery of white supremacy.
(photo credit: Brandi Grayson (LinkedIn)
1ne: I can vision that as a outcome but "How Do We Get There?"
Brandi: We really get there through the awakening process which is a personal journey. BLACK people are starting the ask the questions: Who am I, Who am I Being In The World, What reality do I want to experience, how do I want to experience myself in relationships to said reality. That is how we get there. Through transformation, through personal accountability, personal awareness of self, and really understanding the attributes of white-supremacy that we all too often embody and then project. In order for us to create from a different reference point that exist outside of the context of white supremacy" we have to create our own reference point." That starts with asking the question of; Who are we being in the world and how do I want to experience myself in the world?
1ne: That's a great answer because in a personal journey what works for one may not work for all. Whatever leads to your personal awakening is "The How." Let me ask you this What Is Something Positive About The BLACK Community?
(photo credit: Urban Triage (website)
Brandi: The Love! One thing that we can acknowledge is the work of BLACK women. White supremacy is white people's mess and BLACK people's burden. What has happened consistently and throughout our history is that BLACK women show up. Right? Not only do we show up in creating programing and organizing and activism and standing on the front line and putting our bodies in danger. We are also starting to show up differently for ourselves. We are moving from a place where we have to accept these attributes of white supremacy that has been our only reference point. Where women are conditioned to not be FREE. To not be fully self-expressed, not fully be authentic in who they are, because of patriarchy teaching us that women shouldn't do certain things. You shouldn't talk that way, you shouldn't walk that way, you shouldn't be sexually FREE. What we are finding in this new paradigm is more women are saying, "You know what, I can do whatever the fuck I want to do, and I can live my life loud and FREE." That is positive to me. For us to cause and create this new paradigm we must be okay with who we are. We must love ourselves fully in order to love each other fully. BLACK people are being BLACK, unapologetically. Whatever people desire to be and experience in the world, we are doing that. That's some positive shit because we can't give what we don't have.
(photo credit: Urban Triage (Facebook Page)
1ne: That's a fact. Focusing on BLACK Love, in the past month how many BLACK businesses have you supported?
Brandi: You know I'm BLACK BLACK in ALL that I do. We had our grand-opening event (December 2020) where we supported all kinds of BLACK businesses. We had BLACK event planners, our interior designers were a BLACK couple out of Milwaukee, and they did an amazing job. Our chefs were BLACK. I buy all my earrings, my soaps, and my coco butters from BLACK vendors. Anytime there are BLACK pop-up shops I go to all of those and buy something from each table. I don't care if it's a pen or something I already got. I spend a little money with my people.
(photo credit: LessWork Lens & Brandi Grayson)
1ne: This city has washed our narratives as local artists with negativity. This is a publication we can draw from when the city attempts to taint our images moving forward. That is personally why this platform is important to me. My next question for you is What Are Some Common BLACK Owned Businesses (BOBs)?
Brandi: Hair Shops, Barber Shops, Beauty Supply Stores, Boutiques, Cleaning Companies, Essential Shops, T-shirts Brands, and Black Funeral Homes there is always at least one.
1ne: What is something you are good at that most people are not aware of?
Brandi: I think I'm a good interior decorator because my house looks kind of cute. Like if you were to come to my house, you'll be like oh, I can stay here all day.
(photo credit: Urban Triage (website)
1ne: (side note: Did BG just invite me to her QueenDom?) I probably would have never guessed that because I would've expected it. Most women homes are just lit. Especially BLACK women y'all do not play.
Brandi: Yeah, we do not play about our home.
1ne: What Is One Problem Exclusive To BLACK People?
Brandi: Anti-BLACKNESS; It's not exclusive to BLACK people but we are the only people that hate ourselves. Right? Like we really hate ourselves. I blame it on Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome. That is what is exclusive to BLACK people. No one's been through what we have been through. We have been shaped different through the fiery furnaces. Let's just call that Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome.
(photo credit: LessWork Lens x Urban Triage (Facebook page)
1ne: That is what we will call it. Have you ever worded it like that before?
Brandi: Yeah, that is a part of my curriculum. Part of the transforming, education, and work we do within our work group.
(photo credit: Urban Triage (website)
1ne: What age groups do you serve?
Brandi: Most of the folks in our program are between the ages of 22 and 62.
(photo credit: Urban Triage (website)
1ne: If successful BLACK people such as famous athletes and entertainers were to remove themselves from corporate settings and create our own versions do you believe it will be successful?
(photo credit: LessWork Lens
Brandi: Yeah, if we took our resources including our money and build systems and infrastructures. BLACK people are the only answer to healing BLACK people. If we talk about health disparities or health inequities or education gaps and this prison pipeline. The only way to stop the bleeding is to do the work ourselves. Right? The only thing that we are lacking as a community and as BLACK people are the resources. Not the know-how it is just the resources and the opportunities to create.
photo credit: LessWork Lens x Urban Triage
1ne: Making the choice to build and own our own versions of what we currently influence will position us as "Creators and Controlling." I say that to say; Would you say your current job is what you imagine yourself doing for the rest of your life?"
photo credit: LessWork Lens x Urban Triage Facebook page
Brandi: Hell yeah. Fuck yeah. Yup. Because I made my job. I do not have a job. I made my job. I am living my passion. I do not work for anyone. I work for me, I work for the people, I legit created our own niche around transformation and BLACK empowerment in the midst of white supremacy. I've been BLACK-BLACK for years and I actually created a whole business and a way to hire/employ BLACK people and house BLACK people. This is my passion so anything I do in my world would be me living my passion so, yeah.
1ne: What is something stopping you from doing something you really want to do?
(photo credit: Urban Triage (website)
Brandi: Myself. The only restrictions we have in the world are our inner restrictions. Part of my journey for transformation and personal development is managing those conversations about myself. What I am worthy of or what I am deserving of. As a BLACK woman who does a lot for people there are these conversations in my head about, I do not have the right support so I cannot do this, or I cannot do that. Example: I do not have help with my kids I cannot carry everything. Those were my conversations until I surrounded myself with people that could coach me and help me see further than my conversations. In previous conversations with my coach, I would be asked: If you need support so that you could expand and invest in your work. What would that look like? I was like well I would have a nanny, I would have someone clean my house, I would have someone sit with my son academically, so he does not feel neglected while mommy's pouring herself into her work. Prior to me being coached my response was like I cannot afford that. My coach was like you get to have that. You get to have what you need. Once you start moving that way the world opens possibilities. Now that I have all that, what is in my way right now is my vision for myself. Now I must start opening and waling in the possibility of being international and not just Madison. We started in Madison and we are going international with this shit. We are going to transform lives throughout the world, and I must allow myself to see myself BIGGER. Anything that is happening in our world that is restricting us is some internal shit. As BLACK people we are connected to the source and there is nothing that we cannot cause or create.
1ne: What about Controlling The Narrative by highlighting the fact that Brandi Grayson's team just raised over a $100,000 to stand up on their own ten and push a BLACK narrative to inspire our tribes. These are the solutions for BLACK communities to create a template in attempt to restore BLACK Generational Wealth beyond America. Did you know in America alone, BLACK people spend over $1 trillion per year?
Brandi: Yes.
1ne: If we build solutions with intentions to own the categories where we currently influence, the financial burden in the BLACK community will be instantly removed. Are you familiar with the term Reparations and what does it mean to you?
Brandi: Yes, I am familiar with reparations and I think reparations is required to start the healing process as a country. Right? Reparations must be paid to BLACK people. There is nothing in America that exist without BLACK people. Nothing. There is nothing that we haven't created. Any and everything that we have touched in terms of technology or anything that was created to improve lives, BLACK people had a say in it. When we study our history we know it. We know the only thing that White people did in this country was enslave folks and go to the patent office. Copyrighting and trademarking our shit and called it theirs. Of course we are owed reparations. Right? Recognize that BLACK people are not broken. We grew up in fucked up situations under fucked up circumstances. When we are given resources and opportunities, we do what we do. Reparations can be in the form of a lot of different ways. It does not have to be cash payouts and it should be given in a way that provides a more equitable playing field for BLACK people. Wealth starts with ownership or real estate.
1ne: If BLACK people were to receive their reparations today; What would you invest in 1st?
Brandi: My investment? That is a great question. Depending on how much it is will determine what I will invest in. Immediately I am going to the stock market and locating where the new amazon is coming from. Buy a few of them stocks and get all set for that. Buy myself a crib and pay it off or build myself a crib (home). I would invest back into a business. I would pay someone to write my book. I would tell the story and they would transcribe it for me to get my book out there. I would hire an agent like a public relations manager to get me on the stage for international to expand myself and my reach. Things like that. I would invest in things that would give me returns in the future.
1ne: Tell me something positive about being a local activist?
Brandi: Community. Like no matter what Madison is the worst place to live if you are BLACK. So, the community I've been able to cultivate as a family is amazing to me. Like people show up for me. People hate on the low or whatever but it's cool. That comes with the territory because you cannot be loved by everybody. My community shows up that is why we were able to raise $100,000 and that's how we just opened up a community space and hired people. Our volunteers make us possible because I have a small ass employee force and we operate like an army of 40! Okay. Most of my life I yearned for family because you know I am a ward to the state. You know crack-baby era all that. Activism has given me a family real talk so, I Love It.
(photo credit: LessWork Lens x Urban Triage
1ne: Brandi, How Are You Controlling Your Narrative?
Brandi: By being me. Unapologetically being. I do not really fuck with the media outside of celebrating our events. If someone calls me about a story, I'm not talking to you because y'all gone fuck it up. Unless it is like one journalist that I know I could trust to communicate the context. I Control The Narrative by being unapologetically BLACK.
1ne: Brandi Grayson ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for taking the time to do this interview with me. How was this experience for you?
Brandi: Great interview. The questions were good. An interview is whatever your objectives are, and I think that whatever you pull out of it will determine how well it went. - Brandi Grayson
photo credit: Brandi Grayson
This is our 6th Controlling The Narrative interview and the 1st time we are releasing it in form of a blog. The previous interviews were all visually recorded at our studio and uploaded to facebook to share with our network. If you or someone you know is a pillar for BLACK progression please email us for consideration of coverage. Please visit Brandi Grayson's website to stay connected to her work and make direct donations as valuable non-profits are always fundraising.
Love is always Love.
Written by: 1neofmani
Photo Credits: LessWork Lens, Urban Triage, Hedi LaMarr Photography, Brava, Brandi Grayson, Nielsen, Steve's Auto Sales, Oddly Arranged Media, Kingdom Restaurant, and our Literature seekers of LessWork.
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Local Is The New Global and We The Way, Not The Wave. #LessWork
For the sake of numbers: The word BLACK is mentioned 85 times. Comment if I am right or wrong.
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