How do we make our single-efforts appear larger than we exist? This is a question asked by 1 of the many black entrepreneurs in the Madison, WI area.
LessWork Lifestyle is an east side brand and company focused on highlighting the benefits of being local rap artists. As a pillar on the east side we take pride in being apart of representing black progression out loud. Outside of hanging at the Mobil G-Station or pulling up to participate or watch a few basketball games. There is nothing much the east side has to offer young black boys and girls. Not to mention black entrepreneurs.
With COVID-19 hindering our ability to pull up anywhere. We (as east-siders) do not have much to redirect this cloud of negativity called corona. As if that load is not heavy enough already. It seems to be a silent language spoken as corrupted data places the burden of spreading the corona virus with bias towards the black community. Inequities in COVID-19 are a result of systemic racism, and therefore require systemic action.
Is it safe to say that "COVID-19 is also being manipulated as a modern-day form of segregation?"
Either way, this is another problem for black people in general, especially entrepreneurs. When I think of common black businesses the first to come to mind is, barbershops, beauty salons, non-profits, lawn services, and apparel brands. None of which commonly owns the entire building they operate inside of.
Now let us think about black entrepreneurs who lack the benefits of having a roof over their brainchild (business) period.
For example, at the heart of black progression lies community gatherings. Without ownership we must ask permission to setup shop in other establishments. With the stigma of black folks spreading the virus planted inside the mind of Americans the elephant in the room is, "Who will open their doors to supposedly high-risk carriers of the corona virus?"
The argument of resisting this label is all by design. What better way to create separation within the black community and others? Progressive contributions within the black community will seem non-existent as the media highlight rising numbers of COVID-19 cases to overshadow our innovative attempts to overcome this pandemic. Again, this is by design to push narratives outside of our benefit. To refer to the top of this article where we asked, "How do we make our single-efforts appear larger than we exist?"
By coming together to create and control our narratives in which we proactively push to local media outlets, social media, and our neighborhoods. This will allow us to have consistent rapport on positivity. Promoting all of our efforts whenever one of us receive recognition. We will also call out all forms of media when they choose to highlight negative contributions while overlooking other attempts to push a positive narrative in the black community.
When show up together we appear larger than we are viewed in isolation. I call it a "collaborative compromise." In definition it is not giving up on what you and your movement represents, but to rather enhance your efforts collectively as one.
See One See All.
Over the last two years LessWork Lifestyle have found success in this approach. Linking with C.A.P.O. Attire and K.U.S.H. Apparel to launch what we call: S.O.S.A. (See One See All). What initially started as a collaboration between local clothing brands is now a service we offer to help local businesses bring awareness to what they do. Using our musical influences to generate what is arguably the new form of currency. That big "A" word, ATTENTION.
Of course we put it to the test. One night only theme-based Pop-Ups shops at a local restaurant. This gave us the opportunity to show off our skills as not only content creators but also project managers. With tickets sales tied into a menu serving real food until 2am we were able to promote the menu and guarantee tickets sales. Can we all say Easy Wins? 🏆💨. Everyone was treated like celebrities upon entrance. With K.I.L.O aka SkitL'z of LessWork Lens photo booth set up at the front door. It was like the parking lot scene from the classic movie: PAID IN FULL. We were setting the stage of expectations for local gatherings surrounding the city's hiphop influencers. Our focus was to create a one night only experience so our attendees would subscribe to our monthly events. We held our first event in October of 0-19 and things were progressing until they were not.
Needless to say the year 0-20 came in with the "clearest of intentions." To blindly force everyone to shift gears socially.
With immediate closures of public businesses and social gatherings limited to a certain number count. We would have to put our brain power together and figure out anything other than going to get a day job.
Through our weekly meetings we figured out a way to continue building on our collaborative strategy.
Our duty has always been to utilize our knowledge as The Way to assist other locals with great intentions. We acquired our 1st office/store inside a two story tenancy in 2018. Our long-term goal is to purchase our office building (formerly known as The Art In) with intentions to convert it into a complete production house. Offering products and services to position local rap artists as content creators for ourselves as well as businesses inside our communities. Madison's 1st hip hop production house has a nice ring to it. Above all, local artists in the Madison area deserves such an outlet right here in our city. Help us make it real with a generous gift today.
Currently, for local rap artists we offer song promotion, social media hosting, photography services, fashion stylists, brainstorming, artists development, and song recording (on behalf of Odd House Studio).
When we say See One See All, we mean when you see any of our affiliates you see all of us. We operate on a code of ethics and beliefs that when we do things together it is completed with less work, literally.
This is a public service announcement to all local black entrepreneurs in the Madison, Wisconsin areas. We are hosting weekly Pop-Up Shops at our east side headquarters for the rest of this year. Every Saturday, from 4pm to 6pm. Interested vendors are encouraged to complete this registration form. We offer two forms of commitment where vendors can pay weekly or monthly.
*COVID-19 Announcement
At the discretion of our readers we would like to share that a free COVID-19 community testing site in Pavilion #1 at the Alliant Energy Center is now open. The site run by the Wisconsin National Guard and is open Monday-Saturday from 8:00am to 4:00pm with extended hours until 8:00pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Enter through the Main Gate on Rimrock Road. No appointments are necessary. Visit the Public Health Madison & Dane County website for details: https://bit.ly/35Ox6ul
#LessWork We The Way, Not The Wave. Let's Make It Real. mkt.com/lesswork
Credits
Written by: 1neofmani of LessWork
Photos: K.I.L.O aka Skit'Lz of LessWork
Accompanying Brands: keepupslamhard.com, #CAPOAttire, #SOSA
1st photo is from: Tara Wilhelmi fundraiser event at Parched Eagle.
Blog Title: See One See All
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