Why UNITE: Standing Up to Everyday Anti-Blackness & Disrespect
Despite our nation’s progress on race relations, Black people still routinely face blatant disrespect, profiling, or outright discrimination every day in places everywhere — from big-box retailers and chain restaurants to car repair shops. These aren’t isolated incidents—they’re part of a disturbing pattern that inspired the creation of UNITE.
⛔ Discrimination in Flagship Retailers
At Target’s Southfield, Michigan, two Black women accused store security of false shoplifting claims and even being forced to remove clothing to prove their innocence—an experience shared by others at the same location apnews.com+5wrtv.com+5foxnews.com+5fox2detroit.com. These public humiliations send a message that Black shoppers are not fully trusted or welcomed.
🚗 Bias in Auto Services
In Oak Creek, Wisconsin, Makayla Starks received an oil-change sticker bearing a racial slur from a dealership employee, leaving her “crying for 20 minutes” —an incident resulting in the employee’s firing people.com. It’s a stark reminder: even essential services aren’t immune to bigotry.
🍽 Restaurant & Dining Disrespect
- In Baton Rouge, Y’Mine McClanahan—a former NAACP VP—was denied service at Stab’s Prime for wearing a crop top, despite white patrons dressed similarly people.com.
- A Missouri restaurant refused to serve a Black birthday party of 30 and called the police, humiliating the entire group ksl.com+3thegrio.com+3apnews.com+3.
- A gas station in Beaverton, Oregon, saw an attendant tell Rose Wakefield, “I don’t serve Black people,” leading to a $1 million jury verdict apnews.com.
🛒 The Insidious “Shopping While Black”
Countless Black shoppers report being followed, scrutinized, or asked to pre-pay—a phenomenon dubbed “shopping while Black.” A study highlighted that 80% of middle-class Black consumers experienced microaggressions, and 59% were suspected of shoplifting merely because of their race en.wikipedia.org.
“Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future, and renders the present inaccessible.”
— Maya Angelou
UNITE’s Mission: To Unite Black People into Ownership
These traumatic, everyday occurrences reveal a painful truth: Black people often face disrespect and exclusion, even in spaces meant for service and community. That’s why UNITE was founded.
- To create spaces of genuine respect. Whether it’s a digital directory or a physical Connect Card, UNITE’s goal is to ensure Black businesses and entrepreneurs feel welcomed—not profiled or diminished.
- To empower Black-owned businesses. By spotlighting Black entrepreneurs and facilitating referrals in a positive, supportive environment, UNITE provides real economic uplift—based not on suspicion, but on celebration.
- To cultivate meaningful connections. The UNITE Connect Card does more than share contact details—it symbolizes mutual respect, validation, and opportunity. It’s a tool for bridging divides and rewriting narratives, one handshake (or tap) at a time.
In short: UNITE exists to address a pervasive problem—the disrespect and second-class treatment Black individuals and business owners face daily. We’re building a new ecosystem—one centered on dignity, economic empowerment, and authentic connection. Because it’s time we not only refuse to be marginalized—but unite to be uplifted.
