Stopping Gun Violence Through the Arts: Grounded Conversations X Mopop Museum of Pop Culture Segment

Welcome to Episode 12 of Grounded Conversations by Black Coffee Northwest, an intergenerational conversation about ourselves, our blackness, our world, and our favorite drinks. 

We are excited to announce our partnership with MoPop the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle to host our podcast with this special segment which will be all about what art looks like in today’s culture and how it’s being used to make an impact within our communities and create change with the issues we face today while also focusing on people who are making strives to make meaningful art to uplift their community, spark change or just as a form of expression whether it be making clothing statements, poetry, or other forms of art that supports different causes. 

On this podcast episode we will be discussing:

• What contributes to gun violence within our communities

• How to help stop gun violence through the arts 

• How to be a part of the change to end gun violence 

We would love to hear from you and if any of you have any stories to share feel free to  contact us  with the information below.

Don’t forget to check out our first visual recording of our podcast on Youtube!

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Transcript

0:00

Welcome to Grounded Conversations by Black Coffee Northwest, an intergenerational conversation about ourselves, our blackness, our world, and our favorite drinks. Grounded Conversations is all about brewing up discussions and topics that matter to the community. With our differing perspectives, our hopes is to share our unique flavors opinion. And also life experiences to create a greater insight and also understanding. So join us every other Tuesday as we come together and talk all about things that are on and popping all over a nice hot cup of black coffee. Grounded conversation. All right guys. Welcome back to Grounded Conversation. Hi Gabriel. I'm here. Yeah, So I'm Diana from those of you who are first listening, I'm Ho. And I'm Darnisha. I'm the owner of Black Coffee Northwest and the president of Black Coffee Northwest Grounded. And you are the program director and youth director? Yes. Yes. So, um, for those of you who are listening, um, on audio, you guys to come to our YouTube and check out our first video recording. So we are at Mo Pop today, um, Mo Pop Pop Culture Museum in Seattle. So they have let us, allowed us to use this beautiful space you see here. Uh, so this segment will, um, be all about what art looks like in today's culture, um, and how it can be used to impact our communities and create the change that we wanna see for issues that we face today. Such a great topic. So great. Thanks. Ane yes. Yeah. Let's see, what are we drinking today, ladies? All right, so welcome again. We're super excited to be here, everybody. We're gonna do our intros and then talk about what we're drinking. So let's start, start. So I'm having some water, throat's been kind of acting up. So yeah, just water for me. Water for me as well with our black coffee cups. Yes. And our, so much over here as well. And, uh, today I'm actually, I've drank, I've had a lot of coffee already, uh, this morning. So what I normally drink is a hot Americano meat with our black coffee with Splenda. Cause I'm trying to cut back on my carbs and sugar. I'm not doing that great at it, but it's cool. Um, and two creams. So right now I'm not drinking anything just because I've already had two of those today quad shots, and it's only one. So, I'm gonna let my body just chill for a bit, but I'll be back on it later. Don't worry, You got it. But that's what I normally drink. fine. We're excited for this. Okay. Some. So, um, we are grounded conversations. Happy to be here. We have a great topic today. Something that's also just near and dear to my heart as far as just the arts and using your platform for good and using it, um, and embedding it in our culture and our, in our social, and making it actually just be a norm, right? That we use whatever platform that we have, know our part, and use that for good, and that we can use our platform to talk about hard issues, social issues, things are going on in our community, and that that's okay and we need to, nor we need to keep normalizing that. And I always use that for myself as even when people say like, you can't talk about politics at work, or you can't talk about these things. And I'm like, well, I'm black. So I'm a walking politic. Mm-hmm. I'm a walking disruption of narratives. I'm a walking stereotype everywhere I go, politics, follow me. Mm-hmm. So there's nothing that I can do to separate that. And so I love the fact that especially at Black Coffee and other organizations, even Mo Pop, we can have these conversations where we can't talk about these hard issues in our workplace are in places that people normally would be like, oh, we can't talk about that here. Or not talk about that here. But honey, it is 2022. Like, we have to talk about these things. We have to, because if we're not going to, then who else is gonna talk about it? How is the change gonna come if no one talks about it? So, right. And that's why love this conversation. Cause even with intergenerational, like my generation, we couldn't talk about these things. Right. We weren't allowed to talk about them. So, but this next generation is, and I love it. It's so important and need it. We're excited about this topic. Okay. Okay. I can start us off with the first question today. Um, so what are the issues that you feel contributed to gun violence in our community? So, I can start off with this one. I'm actually looking at a website called The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence. And so according to a study from March, 2020, some of the contributions include income inequality, poverty, underfunded, public housing, under-resourced public services, underperforming schools, lack of opportunity and perceptions of hopelessness and easy access to firearms by high-risk people. Hmm. So there's lots of contributions that can go into gun violence, and I feel like some of the ones that are like, obviously all of these are very important, but the ones that really stood out to me is also just like poverty and also, um, under-resourced public services. So like schools, for example. Mm-hmm. like. There's a lot of, a lot of the youth art in school and you know, there's lots of school shootings that happened. There was recently one that happened, you know, in Ingram. Um, there's lots of, too close to home, too, too close to home. My, and it's, that's, it's like when you're surrounded by like so many of that, it becomes like desensitizing, like mm-hmm. It's just like normal. And so how can, like, how can we make a difference? How can we help? Like the people that are impacted by that. But yeah, those are definitely like some of the contributions that I think are going into gun violence. Mm-hmm. I think legislation laws, we need to have stricter gun laws, especially. Yeah. We need to have stricter gun laws and it doesn't make, uh, a lot of sense to me that I can just go and buy a gun, you know, without having any kind of background screening or check, or to make sure that, you know, I have, I have to go get a, to get a driver's license, I have to, you know, take driver's ed. I have to get my eyes checked, like I have to do the little vision screen to make sure that I'm safe operating a vehicle. Mm-hmm. I have to learn how to safely operate my vehicle, take classes, spend all that money to a driver's ed. Yeah. Do a written test and an actual driven test. Mm-hmm. So we have to do all of that to get a driver's license because we can make an assumption and say that, Society knows that vehicles can be dangerous if they're not operated correctly, or if you don't have the correct training or skills or, or vision or to operate it correctly. So, okay. We understand that. So then guns have, you shouldn't be able to just go into a gun, stand by a gun. It should be the same kind of structure. Mm-hmm. like, can you operate this correctly? Do you know how to operate? Do you know how to store it? Mm-hmm. do you know, are, are you mentally capable of even owning? Mm-hmm. it? So I feel like legislation and, and laws definitely need to be talked about and change. And it needs to be talked about with kids in schools because although they're not voters now, they will be voters. Mm-hmm. Yeah. And they're the ones that are having, they should not have to go to school and be scared to go to school. Mm. and they shouldn't have to go to school and do gun drills. I didn't have to do that growing up in school, but, um, oh yeah, like lock, like the drills and everything. Like, those were just, it was just a normal day. Like every time we had to do like those, um, lockdown, the lockdown drills or like lockout drills or whenever we did have like a school shooting threat, it was just like, it was like a regular day. Like it's another day of school. And that is, that's terrible. That's, yeah, that's so many extra. You're going there for education. You don't have, you shouldn't have to worry about your safety. You shouldn't have to worry about whether you're gonna be coming home that day or if you're gonna see your family, or if you're gonna see your friends. Like, yeah, you should just have to worry about. Am I gonna learn something today? Exactly, yeah. And just going to school. Mm-hmm. just school. Yeah. And I feel like also having more, um, access to resources and programs like outside of school. Mm-hmm. because I know that a lot of the times, like you can just like get caught up in the wrong crowd mm-hmm. and like, you don't know how to like, um, maybe process some emotions that you're feeling at home or like, you know, what's going on outside of school. So like, having places where you can actually connect with other people. Mm-hmm. in like a positive way. Um, mental health counseling. Mm-hmm. Um, and also just having like other outlets. Right. So like art programs. Mm-hmm. like we were talking about. Um, and just having like different things to spend your time doing rather than you. they doing other things that, you know, just being out in the streets. Mm-hmm. I also think that the parents, you know, all these, um, mass shooters, school shooters that are under 18 that are young, I feel like that the families and the parents need to, well, the parents need to be held accountable. Mm-hmm. for not locking up their firearms properly for not being safe and having firearms accessible to their kids. Mm-hmm. like, there's no reason why your 17, 16, or 15 year old has access to your gun. If you have a firearm in your home and you have it, it needs to be safely locked and secured, or they need to be held accountable for it. Mm-hmm. and also like the environment, like where you grow up also plays a part because why does like that student think it's okay to result to violence, to like solve a fight or just getting a gun instead of like being physical, like, ha, fighting with like two hands. How come they're resorting to something that's going to cause like death? Yeah. Yep. So I think that, you know, like. You know, the, like you said, the mental health, like the education system, like all of these systems, every single one of our healthcare system, they all lead and pay a part in gun violence. They just all do. And that's the conversation that needs to be had is what role do, do each of these systems have a play in it? That's a conversation that needs to be had. And then we can start undoing those things that we identify. But have they been even been identified, like we talked about all systems, how gun violence shows up and how it's, how those systems has contributed to the continuing of it. It's not stopping, like we we're not even thinking about. We we're not wondering if the, if the next school shooting's gonna happen or if there's gonna be another shooting. We're wonder, we, we are wondering when mm-hmm. you know, and that's very, that's unacceptable and it's also very sad that that's the state that we're in, in this country. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Um, but it's time to hold people accountable, so we cannot always be here. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. So our next question is, how has gun violence affected the black community and what are some things we can do to help those personally impacted? That's a big question. Yeah. I mean, like you talked about before, just kind of like under, uh, under supported communities, you know, that they, they. the support in there to make sure that we can combat these things. It's systemic. It's much bigger than just one or two incidents. Like it's systemic. And we know that things that are systemic are, um, they're not by mistake. Mm-hmm. It's intentional. And so we have to make sure that in our black community, that we're aware of that and that we do, like no one's gonna come save us. Mm-hmm. Um, we don't want anyone to, we don't need that either. Right. We need to do it within ourselves and make sure that our communities are safe and that our communities have the resources and that we work together to make sure that we continue to combat this and our black community. Because, you know, I don't know about y'all. I'm sick and tired of seeing a young black man being gunned down in Seattle like every weekend. You know, it's just like every weekend when I log onto Facebook. I know y'all on Facebook like that, but, you know, these are the demands. Kids of my friends. Mm-hmm. these are the little cousins of people I grew up with. And even the kids and the grandkids of my kids of, excuse me, of of friends that I've had or colleagues. And it's, it's devastating. It's sad. It affects our whole community. It affects those moms. Mm-hmm. right. Those siblings, those neighbors. It affects everyone. Everyone's involved. It's, you really can't, like, when you think about it, you're not really like safe anywhere. Like, you can't even enjoy going out to a party like a little evening because it's, it could, there's a possibility. It's gonna get like, you know, like shot up. Yeah. Um, that like happened like a couple, like weeks or months ago, like where like some of my friends got affected by it because they got shot. And so it was like they can't even go out and ha go to a party and have fun with their friends because someone's always going to. do something that's just unnecessary. Like why bring it? Why bring it to a party? Why not handle it somewhere else? Or like, why do you have to result to bring in a gun? Like, why can't you just talk it out? Or why can't you just, um, at least like fight like, like don't, like, you know, like, don't bring in a gun, but mm-hmm. Yeah. That's just like, and also like tying it in with like mental health, like other ways that we can help is like speaking to a therapist or like talking to someone that looks like you or speaking to someone that has experienced gun violence like you. Um, and just like having someone to relate to so you're not alone. And also just, you know, like, don't hold it in, like, don't bottle it in because it's not gonna, it's, it doesn't, it doesn't help, it doesn't make a difference. Um, but yeah, I would say like speaking to someone that can relate to you and understand you mm-hmm. and also talking to people that look like you is gonna make a difference. Um, it's obviously going to like, take some time, but like continuously doing it, like it will help. So, yeah. Yeah. And I think like conversations like this in and of itself help a lot too, because like, just the fact that we're actually talking about it mm-hmm. um, where places like you don't have these conversations, right? Mm-hmm. and then like, I think it also will take like a lot of restructuring, like mentally, like in the mind, like your perspective on like, okay, like I, not to bring in like, you know, the toxic male, like stereotype, but like, oh, like I'm a man, like this is how I handle my business. Like, no, like you can talk Yeah. Like it's okay to talk. Right. And like, just having different ways to like express yourself rather than just result, like, uh, resulting to anger mm-hmm. and using other, like, harming other people in the process of doing that. Mm-hmm. So yeah, just finding ways to. Express what you're feeling and, you know, and in a more constructive way where you can actually resolve issues and problems that you're having internally and externally with other people without causing tragedy. Mm-hmm. And like, you know, cuz it, like we were saying, it doesn't just affect the people involved, it affects their families, it affects their friends. Mm-hmm. it affects everyone. Mm-hmm. so. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Mm-hmm. And like, I wanna like, tie how you said like, expressing yourself other than anger, like, just like talking it out, how like, that can also tie into like, like the environment you grew up in and like how you saw other people like reacting to like their emotions. Like, did you see people like talk their feelings out or did you see people like yelling? Or did you see people like being violent? Hitting Yeah, like being physical. Like who, like, surrounding yourself with people that can talk their feelings out in like a calm, like in a calm way or in a way that's going to. just like make a difference. That's not going to like hard see a different perspective. Yeah, exactly. And I say, if you don't have the tools to do it, go seek those tools to, to do it. Because as black people, you know, this is the questions about black community. Like we have a right to be angry, right? We have a right to be upset, exhausted, bad, sad, all the things. Um, but there are better ways to now there are tools and there are better ways for us to now express those things. Mm-hmm. but that also means that we have to make sure those programs exist and have funding to exist and that they're able to thrive and do the work that they're supposed to do, which is on the ground work, working with those families and working with those communities. Um, so that's the other part, like we gotta make sure that they can actually do the work that they're supposed to do. Mm-hmm. that they want to do also, um, and make sure that they have the funding and the proper support to do it. And so I always think that it's so intentional that they don't, because, you know, like I said, like they're not really. We, um, we know this country m really caring about us. Mm-hmm. and our community like that. So we know that it's easy for them just to turn their head away or not to fund because this is the outcome that they want. Like, that we continue to, you know, harm each other. And we, this, this next generation has the, the tools to do it and the voices to do it, and the platforms to do it. And I see it, and I love how these conversations happen on social media. I see people talk about, even on TikTok, making videos about it, like use those tools to actually spread the message that, yay, it's okay for us to be angry and upset and mad because look, because we are in this country, but we also can get the tools to heal ourselves, to heal our community, to up uplift each other, to love on each other, to, and to hold each other accountable as well. Mm-hmm. like we should be holding each other accountable for these types to do better. Yeah. Yeah. To do better. and that we don't have to keep perpetuating this and that we can actually make a stop in, in, in, in, make a move and, and heal. Mm-hmm. I think that's very important to us and that we, you know, our kids deserve. Like our young boys, our young black boys deserve to grow old. Our kids deserve to go to school and not have to worry about gun violence. Mm-hmm. our kids deserve to be outside playing. Mm-hmm. and feel safe. Our kids deserve these things. And so they deserve to not be a target. Yes, yes. Mm-hmm. And so we wanna make sure that we address all those. And we also talk about, you know, gun violence also includes like, uh, suicide, you know, domestic violence, gun violence shows up in, um, police brutality, gun violence shows up in, like, there's all, it goes very deep. Mm-hmm. And those are all the things that need to be talked about. I didn't have an experience with gun violence in my community. I had experience with growing up with an a, an abusive family where gun violence showed up in my family. And so I would see, you know, it was just a norm for us. And so those are things that have to be spoken about though and talked about because I know it's not just me. I know, I'm sure it happened to others especially who are dealing with like domestic violence, um, issues within their families or even with themselves. Like we gotta talk about all of it, all of it all the time and provide solutions and. hope and, and, and come with solutions. Like we gotta talk about it. That's great. We can rally about it. Mm-hmm. we can yell and scream. Right. Hold up signs be mad, but we gotta go and we gotta vote and we gotta do the other part of it and we gotta disrupt and we gotta find these systems and mean, gotta show up. Mm-hmm. that's part two. Yeah. Because a lot of the times, like we wanna focus on like the, like the issue, like the aftermath mm-hmm. of what's going on rather than like going back to the root of why this is happening and what is causing this and like what are the events that led up mm-hmm. to this happening, right? Yes. So yeah, just taking time to really like, think about like, what are the actions leading up to this and like how can we prevent this from even going to that extent of what's going on now, so. Mm-hmm. Yeah. That's good. Yeah. Getting to the root of it, because once you get to the root of it and you know the why, then you can figure out like the how, how can we stop it? How else can we like, get it like over with? So yeah, the root, it's always like very important to just get to the very start of it and figuring out what's the cause of this and where can we go from there? And it's gonna uncover some ugly truths. Yep. And that's always the issue, right? Like it's gonna cover some ugly truths, but they gotta be uncovered, right? They, they have to be talked about. Yes. Not everything's gonna be pretty, not everything's gonna be something that's, it's not gonna be comfortable, but you have to have the uncomfortable conversations to make a change. That's just something that has to happen. Yep. Absolutely. Facts. Mm-hmm. that's a great question. Mm-hmm. All right. So the next question is, how can people use their creative platform to spread a message about gun violence and other social issues? So I wanna talk about, um, our program, our internship program. And so what we did with that is for, I'm studying criminal justice, and so for one of my classes we were learning about, um, creative protests mm-hmm. And so with that, it was basically just like, what are some other ways to protest that are kind of, um, different than from like the traditional, like walking on the road or carrying signs and chanting. So I wanted to, I created a poster and it was just like basically kind of, um, like a one pager of just like all, it's some statistics and then what the cause was about. And so we wanted to implement that into our internship program. And so with that, it's um, part of like our social justice section. And so we just have our interns pick out a cause that they're very passionate about, and then we'll have them either like put some, like drawings on it or any statistics, any information about the cause. And then we'll have them create like a. one minute, 32nd video describing what it is and why they picked it, why they care about it. And so some of the things that we, like, they've talked about was like global warming, black Lives Matter, um, the Tera Genocide. And so we like to implement that. Like this is a space where you can learn more about current, um, that about like current events that are happening. Mm-hmm. And then also a way for us to also get a chance to learn about like what is, like things that they're passionate about. And so that's a great way for you to basically bring awareness to like any, like, social issues, social injustices that's happening. It doesn't have to be like the traditional going out into a protest. You could just make a one pager, upload it onto social media, or share it around with your friends, stuff like that. And then you're create, you're creating like something, you're creating awareness. Yeah. It doesn't have to be a big or small change. It could be any type of difference, any type of change, any type of impact, because any type of impact is going to bring that awareness to that cause. So. you're act, you're actively like participating in social justice mm-hmm. by like, doing something about it. Whether it be big or small, like you said, and like, it just like, also like inspires more change, right? Mm-hmm. So like, oh, like I saw that she could do it. They could do it. Like I can do it too, right? Like I can speak up on things that I find important mm-hmm. and be a part of that change. And I think that's like especially important like within like our younger generation too, that like, they have like, this is gonna be their world. Mm-hmm. So like they have like the opportunity to like be a part of that change and like have better for themselves. Right. So, and ourselves. So yeah. I think that um, anyone that has any platform, it's our responsibility. To make sure that we're using that platform for good. It is our responsibility to be responsible with that platform, especially if it's a large one on what we say, how we react, what we, how we respond. It's our responsibility to show up for the community in which you serve. Mm-hmm. also, and that means showing it for yourself too, right? Mm-hmm. like show up, but it's our responsibility to talk about these things and bring light to them and do what's right. Like I said, like my generation before, didn't I? I'm 43. What? I don't know what generation somebody. You guys are gin. Z Z I know the millennials are right, but right underneath me, I'm not a millennial, but. It's time to, to use your platform for good. Mm-hmm. my generation did not do that because again, we were very silenced at work. We were very hush, we were very, you can't talk about that. Even to this day. People like, Ooh, you can't talk about that. Don't say that you're gonna, you know, you're gonna get in trouble. You don't know what people are gonna think about you. Or you have, you have to show up this way. But the millennials kind of blew that out the water, like when they showed up, I remember doing tradings at work, like how to manage a millennial cause they're just like so hard to manage. But what they did is they just started. Say no. Like we're not going to do X, Y, and Z, just cuz you said do X, Y, and Z. Mm-hmm. we're not going to just sit back and not say anything when things are wrong. This is, this is trash, you know? Mm-hmm. And they would like, disrupt, disrupt, disrupt. And these systems just didn't know what to do with them, but label them as hard to work with, hard to manage. Mm-hmm. But now they're hitting their forties or in their forties and they're in positions of power now and decision making. And I love it because they're able to push issues forward now that they're not the, like the troublesome mo, like they're actually people's bosses now. Yeah. They're actually presidents and CEOs of large corporations or have, they have a sphere of influence in their neighborhoods, in their churches or whatever. And so they understand some of them not all right. That you have to use your platform for good. We just have to make sure that that continues on. Mm-hmm. right? That our kids know that. when something is wrong, but they need to speak up about it, right? Mm-hmm. period. Period, no matter what it is, period. If someone's getting treated wrong in class, if someone's bullying a kid in class, in third grade, kindergarten, they need to speak up about that and you're, it's our responsibility to encourage'em and say, yes, you're absolutely correct. Mm-hmm. that is wrong. Or What your teacher said is wrong, or what the adult in your life did is wrong, and now this is the right way thing to do, or this is how that wrong behavior, you know, causes X, Y, and Z. You know? So it's time to have those hard conversations and start with our youth and our kids like. People underestimate how smart kids are. Yeah. Like they're, I remember significant things that happened to me in my childhood are things that were said positive or negative. Mm-hmm. like you remember. And so it's time now to use our platform to not only elevate issues that are helping our community, but also pass that information on. Mm-hmm. to that next, tell somebody. Mm-hmm. tell somebody you're a spirit of influence. Tell somebody generational knowledge. Like yes, that's gonna make a difference. Like everything that you know, and you pass down to like generations and generations, that's gonna make a difference. Whether it's, you know, big or small. So just like showing that information is showing what, you know, like just teaching like the rights and wrongs of just like life and like teaching your own like life experiences. That's gonna make a big. Yeah. Yes it is. Because you guys don't have to make the same mistakes that we did, right? Mm-hmm. you don't have to go down the same, I feel like some people are like, oh, you have to, you know, they gotta fight harder, whatever. I'm just like, why do we have to I'm like, why? Like, you can show up and you can fight in your own way. Mm-hmm. Yeah, and that's just fine because if everyone just showed up and protested in their own way, we'd probably be a little bit further along. Mm-hmm. like you said, you don't all have to go down to the protest, but if you sit in an HR position or if you sit in a position of power, you can make the right decision there. Mm-hmm. And that's just as important as going down to the protests. Mm-hmm. So going back to your question, it's all of our responsibilities to make sure that we're, that we are spreading the message of, right. Especially right now in this country. Mm-hmm. It doesn't matter what position you hold or who your spirit influences, if even if it's just in your own family or your neighbors or your work or your colleagues. Yeah. That is how we push it forward, and that is just as important. that's the part two. That's the, and that people forget Yeah. And if you, if you look at it as a responsibility, um, then you, you're gonna nurture it and you're gonna take more care of it, and you're gonna hold it and you're gonna make sure it's done right. Mm-hmm. So I want everyone, I challenge everyone that has any platform to, I'm looking at the camera challenge, anyone that has any type of platform to use their platform for good in whatever way that looks like for you. Yes. Yeah. That's good, really good answer. That's my question. Yeah. And I, I would say, um, with the subteam, like, so I did start a subteam on 20 years ago, um, and have been, using our platform. Like I started in high school actually, so like as a high school student mm-hmm. I started, uh, a step team at my school because I learned very quickly that whoever was on the stage or on the floor, like I would see the cheerleaders and they could dance, they could do whatever they wanted to do. And even though people didn't like it, like they could still do it. And I was like, oh, okay. So that's how we started CEP team is because we could use our stage and performance to talk about issues that were going on in our community. So the first one I did was at the first performance I did like that was at Linwood High School back in the nineties. That's my era. It's coming back though. I love the nineties. Yes. So nice nineties. Okay. Shout out to the nineties. Um, where even like music was socially conscious, like the rappers were socially conscious, everyone was aware of what was going on. Mm-hmm. my first assembly that we did at Linwood High School, I think I was like 10th grade. I did it on like, Slavery and like, uh, ripping us out of our country. like, uh, I remember my teacher was just like, and this was the step performance. Mm-hmm. and we went in, we were like, we are here because this is the history of, of why we're here and this is the history of step cuz it really is. Mm-hmm. like it goes back to Africa and communicating and then went through slavery. So I used Step as a waitress to tell the story all the way through and then celebrate those who helped us all the way through. We celebrated musicians, we celebrated, so it was a celebration. Mm-hmm. but also a reflection and a challenge too. Um, the powers that be in my school as a 10th grader, so I know I got sat down, I got talked to the step team, got suspended. Wow. I got in trouble because, and then the next year, every, every assembly after that had to go through like this censoring process. Oh. That's when I'm like, you have to make a script. Mm-hmm. and I know that's now the same in schools, so you gotta make a script. It has to be approved by a s b and by device. Like, that's when that started because, but I'm like, I can use my platform if the Triers can use their platform to talk about homecoming. Great. Mm-hmm. I can use my platform to talk about the, the injustice that's happening at my school. Mm-hmm. And so I did that, Linwood High School, Mount Lake Terrace High School, Meadowdale High School, all the way through high school because it was my responsibility and my, I and I also figured out that whoever had the. could say what they wanted to say, right? Mm-hmm. And so I always say that story to even high schoolers who are out there and you're in asb, or you're in these large institutions that you can still use your platform to make a change. Then we saw the cheerleaders come up when you're with Black Lives Matter shirts, you know? And I was just like, okay, you know, cute and all. I, you know, like it was very performative, right? But also I was like, okay, like they're trying mm-hmm. So I had just let that be. So, but use your platform. Use it for good, but also ask the community that you're working with before you just run off and make all these big, you know, talk to the communities and ask what do they need help with? Yes. Don't just assume, yes, they need help with this, or they need this. Like, talk to them first and ask them how can I help? And then do your part. Yep. And that's that. So ask for permission. Ask and be a part of that community and then use your platform. And sometimes using your platform means just giving up your platform Mm-hmm. and just say, I have access to this platform. Now you can come mm-hmm. and you can be a part of it, and you could talk about what's happening in your community, on our platform. And that works too. Yeah. I feel like that's just as, just as great. That's just as helpful. Yeah. Like, it's not like, even though like you're not, you may feel like you're not doing like a big thing, but you're still making that difference by letting them have that resource and have that access, so. Mm-hmm. Yeah. It goes a long way. Either way. It goes a long way. Yeah. It's important. Mm-hmm. Yes. It's, wow. Okay. So next question. Uh, what do you feel, um, how, like what are some ways or what role, um, do you feel that arts, education, um, organizations such as Mo Pop play to nurture, um, these platforms of creativity. So how are some organizations like advancing this create like creativity, um, to like, make these statements of change? I feel like one, like I'm immediately thinking of just like contact high and how like it's like filled with just like black artists and like the representation and how, just like how far like you can go like just by spreading a message. Mm-hmm. And like, you can use like arts through like, like what we said, like healing and making a difference and using your message. So I feel like some like roles that they do is just giving that safe space. Yeah. And that kind of like that creativity, like mm-hmm. here are like some people that look like you, that you can achieve too and that you can aspire to be or become like when you get older. Mm-hmm. even now. So I feel like it gives that like safe space and that comfort and that type of like, community type of feeling. Yeah. I was gonna say, yeah, I agree with that. I remember bringing my kids to Mo Pop all the time, like on spring break or mm-hmm. They would come on field trips, their class, you know, it just unlocks it. Uh, it allows them to unlock, it's like a big playground for creativity. Mm-hmm. it can unlock, it can give you joy, which is also important, like joy is important. Laughing and having a great time and learning things and experiencing new things is So a stress reliever. Yes. It's a stress reliever. It helps with your mental health and also it, it's able for me to see that, oh, I can do that too. Or, or, that's cool. How did they do that? And get some information. I remember playing in like the music lab, like playing around in there with the kids. We have so many pictures. Like even the memories of that, like it was a place, it's a place to come and just have fun and that's important. Mm-hmm. Yeah. It's important to just have fun walk around, look at the exhibits, um, and all the great programs that come outta Mo Pop as well. And other organizations that do arts education are, are just as important. Like, uh, teaching artists are important. Yeah. People that go around and, and are teaching artists in our community. Um, I think just unlocking the potential in our young kids and, and adults as well. Unlocking the potential in them is the role that it plays. Yeah. And it's so important to do. It's so important. Like, I love, I love arts education because I, I'm, I'm a nerd. A little bit. A little bit. I love like, Learning new things and, and uncovering how they work. Yeah. Mm-hmm. you know, in a place like this, you can learn how things work and you can use that for the rest of your life. Like, it's a skill. Critical thinking is a skill that everybody needs. Yeah. Especially y'all generation. I love y'all, but critical thinking, I feel like technology has just taken over, like critical thinking. Yeah. that's true. Yeah. Makes sense. So like, here is a place where you can like explore and, and learn and understand. And, and what I really like about this place too is like in the, um, in like the music area, like all like the instruments were Oh yeah. It's like a space where like, You could, like, you'd be able to like learn how to like, play like some instruments or like play some songs. So it's like an educational aspect and also like that, like creativity, that fun like recreational aspect. Exactly. So it's like you're getting like both like the best things you're getting like the educational side and you're also getting the fun side. Mm-hmm. And when we were in like the jam rooms when he went there with with Journey for our summer workshops Yeah. And going in there and we were just like messing around like the drums and the guitars. It was just so, like, it's fun relieving a way to like, literally like Yeah. Express. Exactly. Yeah. Yes. And I would say like, as a art kid myself, like I was the one like saying after school, like during high school, like finishing art projects. Like, like I can see that. Really? Yeah. Like really close my art. Cause she's like, Hey, can I get after I do this? Like literally. And like for me, it's actually been a way of like, um, expressing myself. Mm-hmm. like, um, I've always been into like all different types of art, like drawing, painting, like making sculptures and stuff. But. Now I'm like more into like writing poetry and that's just a way to get like my emotions out. Like just on paper it's like such like a relieving experience to like be able to like, um, write down all my thoughts that I'm thinking, um, in a creative way. And then like just having it released, you know? Mm-hmm. so it's not like all pinned up inside, like how we're talking about. So just like, um, having spaces where like you can express yourself and try things that you like and discover things that you know, might be your outlet is like very important, so. Mm-hmm. Yeah. And I wanna add onto that too, how you said like writing poetry for you is how you express yourself. Mm-hmm. for me, it's like if I don't have like the words to express myself, I'll listen to music that. puts the words out for me. So it's like I'm still connecting to that. I still feel it in my soul. I still feel like in my heart, even though it's not my words, it, I can still relate to the artist's lyrics and how they're feeling or, um, I also like, I, I'm like learning the bass too, so whenever I'm like learning like some songs I like to play, songs that kind of relate to that are like soul music or like r and b blues, cuz I can feel it in my soul and I can move to it. So it's like while I'm playing and learning, it also feels like I'm also just like expressing myself and kind of just releasing any tension and just like becoming one with the music basically. Mm-hmm. me too. I just, uh, turn up the music and run around the house units or now I just turn music running around the coffee shop and just dance. Yeah. That's my stress reliever. It's the same, like I'll find music that kind of goes with my mood. Sometimes it's gospel where I'm just like, Lord, what it's going on. And sometimes it's making this stallion when I just dance sometimes it's. Paramore. It's, it's whatever I feel like in that mood, but that's what it's supposed to be like. Art is healing. Music is healing, it's cultural of our art culture. Like we, we heal through movement and words and songs. So arts, education programs and organizations, again, need to be funded. Yes. Fully funded, because there should be no barrier. Like every kid should be able to experience arts. Mm-hmm. regardless of their socioeconomic status. Every kid should, every person should be able to experience the arts. Even adults, like, we're looking for ways to heal, and we're in a traumatic, we're in a crisis state right now with, well, we're coming out of that with, with Covid and the shutdown. Like there's a lot of, we don't, we don't know what the effects of that's gonna be in the next 10 years. What we've gone through something significant. But I think like arts, education, that we can just, in places like MoPOP, we can just come and run around and look at things and feel safe and laugh and enjoy ourselves like it's so important. I feel like coming out of Covid into this new world like we're gonna see, but that's more and more imperative to have spaces where we can explore and be creative. I feel like that's gonna be the thing that heals a lot of us, our country. Mm-hmm. and having places that represent the community you're serving too. Yes. So representation. So yeah. That's important. Yeah. Like all of those small organizations that are doing work for those communities need to be supportive of lifted and funded. Mm-hmm. Um, there's a lot of'em out there, but I think that's gonna be the change that we need. We need to have the creativity, the joy, the accountability, like the, all of all of it needs to happen at simultaneously mm-hmm. because they're all just as important. So, yeah. I feel like those, if, if we wanna say the message for that would be to, to support, uplift and fund those and larger organizations reach down and, and support the smaller ones coming up because it can't, just, like, one organization can't solve all the world's problems. Mm-hmm. it's gonna take a collaborative effort. Mm-hmm. takes a village, takes the team, it takes a team, it takes a village, takes a whole community. Yes. And I need some creativity and fun in my life lately, like after long days, you know? Mm-hmm. like after distress. Like I need a creative outlet. And I feel like people are discovering that they need one too. Um, I think as humans we just need one Yeah. Yeah. Because how else are you gonna get rid of that stress? Yeah. Yeah. Just because wine is not the answer all the time, It's just not, it's not. I feel like a lot of people run to things like that, you know, because Yeah. You need an outlet. Mm-hmm. Okay. So our next question, what type of message do you think it would send by having someone with a higher power? Talk about social causes. So think about Lil Baby with the bigger picture, or a Donald Glover with this is America. Can you tell us a little bit about Lil Baby, the bigger picture? Yes. So, um, with Lil Baby, they're not their baby, let's be clear. No, no. So in Atlanta they recently, or yesterday they just announced that, um, November 13th is officially, um, it's recognized as Dominique Lil Baby Jones Day. Um, and yeah, so basically he has, um, this foundation called for the People Foundation and it's basically like where he's just been like giving back to like his community in Atlanta. Yeah. And like underserved, um, communities in the area too. And so some of the things he's done was, he's donated like a hun over a hundred thousand dollars of scholarships, um, back to his high school and$500,000. Back to a, um, a school festival and provided 3000 students with free sneakers and school supplies. So it's like using, he's using his platform to give back to the community. And, um, his song, the Bigger Picture, was like about, um, social economic issues like injustices that happened in the black community. He talked about George Floyd's, uh, murder and then with like, this is America. Mm-hmm. like it talked about, just like the social causes that's been happening in like, in America with like the black community, black Lives Matter, gun violence, police brutality, all this and that. So it's like they're perfect examples. Especially like Lil Baby, I would say is like a perfect example of how he's using his creative platform to give back to the community. Yeah. And how he's making a difference and how he's, he's, he's really, he really is making a difference to like the youth, especially with like giving like over like a bunch of coats to like the, like families in need or giving money and scholarships to the schools. That makes a difference. So like, what do you think like that type of message would send by having someone of those higher powers, like just basically doing that? It's so important. I especially like, especially, um, like representation wise and like, just influence wise because like a lot of people like look up to the people that they listen to, you know, that you're a fan of mm-hmm. So seeing somebody like that you already like listen to and like you look up to be a part of something bigger than themselves is like so impactful and so important. Cuz it just gives you, um, more of a vision for what, what kind of change that you can make too. So like, If I'm seeing like somebody that I look up to and that are doing the things that, you know, like I aspire to do, I'm like, wow, that gives me even more encouragement to like, get my foot in the door and, you know, make the changes that I wanna make. So, mm-hmm. Yeah. Very important. I was gonna say, I agree. Um, I would say throughout history, um, black artists have used their platforms to do good for a very long time. Those stories are just never told or shared. Mm-hmm. you know, and I feel. the media. We need to do a better job of sharing those stories because mm-hmm. the, um, we, artists, musicians, actors, I mean, feeding their communities, giving out toys to kids. Like these are things that happen all the time. Voter registration drives. Mm-hmm. um, making sure that people are able to vote in those, in those key states where voter suppression was act like literally happening. I would see artists show up and give foods, people standing in line for hours. They were doing free concerts, people standing in line, supporting their HBCUs, showing up at these schools and doing free concerts and back to school and giveaways, like their stories need to be told and elevated and celebrated, and they don't need to be celebrated. They don't need to be talked about. Only when it's some drama. Yeah. Mm-hmm. right? That's the only time you ever hear about our artists is when something goes down or it's a scandal, or we need to talk about the good things that happen as well. Because again, like you said, it's representation. Mm-hmm. and it shows that I can use my platform for good. Mm. Um, but it's been going on for a very long time. Like, I remember hearing, you know, you'll hear about it mm-hmm. um, but it's not like a widespread media. So I'm gonna need the media. But that's what, that's also why it's good to support black media platforms that tell those stories. And so we wanna make sure by those stories are elevated and shared as well. That people do give back. People do good. And most of these artists out here are, you know, there's much more to who they are as a person. Mm-hmm. most of'em have like a lot of, of wealth, a wealth of knowledge. You know, we do got the ignorant ones, but that's anything. You gonna have the, the good ones, you gonna have the ones that we just say it's okay. You know, you just sit there and just. We don't just, just sit there. Yeah. Just, just sit there But there are ones that are doing good and this next generation of artists, like if we continue to tell the story of the good that has happened, then it's just gonna be the norm. Mm-hmm. it's just gonna be the norm. We can shift that narrative that this is what you do. Like this is, this is what you do. Yeah. And you have access to anything like money, wealth, uh, um, a social platform that's huge. You know, if you're an influencer in any way that you stand up for what's right, period. And whatever you have, you give back to the community, period. Like that should just be it. Let's just be it. Yeah. That should just be be the norm. It. But we gotta tell those stories. Cause I know, um, my best friend, Beyonce, she does it all the time. Yep. Yep. I'm more manifesting that she does it all the time. Like they give back to their community all the time. Like they've built clinics, they do for black women's health, like advocacy, Serena Williams as, as well for Black women's health based on her own birth story. Like we just don't hear about those things. So I, I need those stories to be told and all of us to actually go look for them, search for them, and re-share and celebrate with them as well. And not just when the Shade Room comes out with something Yeah. Something terrible. The Shade Room is interesting. Yeah. I mean, I do be on there. I mean, no shade to the Shade Room. I do be looking, but I do wanna see more positive stories about the good work. Yes. That's happening in our community. How people, people are intentionally reaching back. Mm-hmm. um, the, uh, LeBron James has a school, you know, like people have schools like Russell, they built a school here. Sierra and Russell Wilson built to school here. Now I don't know like how good they are. I don't know. Cause I don't have, I don't have all details, but they didn't mm-hmm. they created something. Yeah. They created something. And I feel like that's honorable. Yeah. And should be celebrated for sure. That's the first step. And then we can, we can solely quiet the corporations that continue to fund and make millions of dollars off of our backs and off of the struggles of our community. Mm-hmm. our trauma and our trauma. And we can start shifting our dollar and our money to artists and organizations that actually standing up for our community and actually doing the right thing because we have a lot of buying power, um, in this, we have individually have a lot of power with our dollar. So I feel like that's a way that we can, you know, either forcing them to use their platforms for good, these big corporations. But if they don't, then we just gotta stop giving them our money. Stop money. I mean, that's, that's how they're gonna listen. Like, you're not giving them money. Then stop giving them, that's how they, that's how they listen. That's how you got their attention. So yeah, like the courage. That's really what you gotta do. Uh, I don't wanna bring it all the, but with the book being shared by, um, what's the basketball player like, Kyrie Irving, like, you know that he shared a link of a book that's on a national platform that made money off of that, but he got sat down. Like the bigger picture is that platform needs to be held accountable also. It starts with an A, it's in Seattle, it's a big platform, but like, they need to be held accountable for even having it there. Mm-hmm. And he needs to be accountable for sharing it. But like these big corporations need to be held accountable also for profiting off our backs. Like that's getting old. Mm-hmm. And it's not. And it doesn't because how are you gonna give back to the community that you're profiting off of? Yes. Like where's the balanced? Yeah. In message. It doesn't work. It doesn't work. It doesn't work. It's, we've been trying to make it work For how long? Hundreds hundred of time. Hundreds, uh, thousands of years. It doesn't work. It's something, it's time to do something different. And that means that the expectation is that you do what's right and if you don't, we don't support you. We don't give you our money. We don't elevate you. We don't look at you. You are non-factor. You have low vibration low vibrational. Low vibration. Very much so. Yes. Okay. Okay, so that was our last question. Yes. That was a good conversation. That was a good conversation. Good conversation. That was kinda heavy. Whew. Good conversation. But I would say like action items for our listening audience is to stand up for the causes that you're important. That are important to you in your community. Right. Are important for you. And use every opportunity that you have to do it. And part one is to get out there and to protest and to stand up. Part two is to vote and get your voice heard. And part three is to pay attention to your local elections and legislators and what they're passing through cuz that's where it lives. Mm-hmm. that's where it lives. It's, it lives on the things that we're not paying attention to. So like these local elections and whoever we're putting in office, like I know I was tired of all those political commercials I wanted. Cry if I had to hear another one. But it's time for us to pay attention to who we're putting in office and it's time to pay attention and it's time to hold them accountable. So pay attention to those things old or small. If you, if you had before, make that be what you're doing now. Something new is pay attention. What's happening in your local politics, in your local elected officials and what policies are being passed around gun violence and prevention and what's being funded. Like all that stuff happens at your local level. Who's getting funding? What programs are getting funded? What's being elevated? Like, we need to start showing up to those conversations and letting our voice be heard. Cuz if we're not in the room, we're not going to be talked about. Mm-hmm. And if we're not in this space, they're gonna continue to do what they always do. What's Just overlook it and act like we we're shocked, we're we're shocked and surprised this is happening. You're not shocked and surprised another school shooting happened. Mm-hmm. are you really shocked and surprised at this point? But what are you gonna do to make sure another one doesn't happen? Like how are you going to make sure, what are you gonna do? Mm-hmm. to make sure it doesn't happen next time and again. So that would be my, my call to action to everyone is just to, whether a big or small Do something. Yeah. Say something. Stand up for what's right in your sphere of influence, whether it be at your church, your neighborhood, your pta, your school group, your friend group, your happy hour group. It's no longer okay to just let people say whatever, and we're like, oh, that's just so and so. No, that, no. Mm-hmm. You can't just say, that's just how I am. No, no. Doesn't work anymore in the workplace. It doesn't work anymore. And that's the only way we're gonna able to disrupt and move forward is that we're gonna have to undo a lot and uncover and be in uncomfortable spaces. Yeah. And you should put yourself in uncomfortable space every day intentionally. Mm-hmm. in order for us to grow, just like when you work out, it's uncomfortable at first. Your muscles be tired, your legs be hurting. Like my thigh, you know, like my leg, I can't walk. You hear the stories, right? Yeah. But you keep going back, you keep going back, you keep going back, and then you add more weight. Mm-hmm. and then you add more, you know? Yeah. And then that's just the norm. Yep. You then it's just the norm. Then you can do that 10 minute workout with no problem, and you're like, oh, I couldn't believe I couldn't even breathe for the first. Now I'm doing an hour. So that's what needs to happen. We need to keep going back and having these conversations slowly and intentionally, and then it becomes the norm. Mm-hmm. Yeah. And use those creative platforms that we talked about. You know, like it takes like ev, like everyone in every way possible. Like it's not just one way to do things. It takes judicial reform. Yes. But we can also have other platforms to like create that change that we wanna see and to work our way up to those changes. Right. So, Multiple. Just not just seeing things in like one way, like Yes. Different perspectives. Yeah. Multiple different points of view. So yeah. Simultaneously at the same time. Right, right. They all happen at the same time to build a house. Mm-hmm. like all, everybody has to know their role though. Mm-hmm. So, yes, it's important and we wanna see, like, we, we don't wanna have to re keep reliving this year after year, after year after year after year with school shootings and our, our people being gunned down in our neighborhoods in police brutality and violence. Like, we are tired of that. And we have to look at the things that we can control. And there are some things that we can't control. And like I said, use your platform and it's our responsibility too. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. All right. That was all. That was good conversation. Stay, stay social with us like you. Chime in, um, email us at Info Black Coffee nw. We also have Street News. We also have Yes. Street News. So, I dunno, what's the platform? Black Panther? Yes. Black Panther. Oh yeah, sorry. Edit. Can we edit Edit video. edit video. Yeah, you can't. All right. So Street News, what's happening in these streets? So a Black Panther movie, it was so good. Good. If you guys haven't watched it. You guys need to go watch this. Yes. Yes. It was so good. And speaking of Black Panther, yes. If you loved both Black Panther and the sequel Wakanda forever, make sure to visit Mo Pop and check out their Ruth E. Carter Afrofuturism and costume design exhibit, an Academy award-winning costume designer Ruth e Carter's career has defined generations through her work in film and tv. Her art ad is dimensionality, flair, and culture to the characters she envisions giving power to the incredible actors that wear them. Her vibrancy and attention to detail and costuming is integral to translating stories of race, politics, and culture to the big screen from Humble Roots and Massachusetts. Ruth Carter has been helping style the Afro-futurism movement for almost 40. Designing pieces for films such as Black Panther, Malcolm X, Selma, and Do the Right Thing. Carter has designed costumes for legends like Oprah Winfrey, Denzel Washington, and Chadwick Bozeman. Mo Pop is proud to display more than 60 of Carter's original garments, while also showcasing her immersive process, historical research, and attention to detail that abused every project she brings life to. Yes. The exhibit is Bob too. It's so good. Check it out guys. So many nice outfits. So many a beautiful costumes art. Yeah, she's, and you can like just tell like how much attention to detail that she like shows throughout every costume. Like the bead for like, uh, the Wakanda outfits and costumes and like the different fabric that she uses. Like, I loved all of it. Like I love Fashion General, so like, I was like really like just paying attention to detail to everything. Um, but yeah, definitely go check it out. Um, go check it out in theaters like, I think we should talk about it a little bit because skip ahead of this if you guys haven't seen it. We have to. We have No, we can't, we can't talk without spoiling it. We can't, can't spoil it. Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't just skip ahead. No, don't do it. Look, so don't do it, So if you haven't seen it, go see it. I've seen it twice already. I'm gonna see it again. Um, but what I, my favorite part was the celebration of smart, intelligent black girls. Black women. Like just in there making stuff. Yes. And being engineers and scientists. It was so nice to see, see to be black. The, the line to be black, young and gifted and just touch me. So I was like, yes. Like we need to celebrate that and we need to see more of that. Like I've always said, I'm like the nerdy time, you know, I like little, I'm, I'm a, I like that kind of stuff. Mm-hmm. And so I'm gonna normalize that like to be, and they saved the world. Like let's. Get it done. Yeah. I love that movie. It was so just me and my feelings. At first I thought it was like, it was giving, like with the flu people, I was like, did they do like a collab with Avatar? Oh yeah. I thought it was Avatar. Avatar. But no, they have like, it's good. It's, it's just good. It's just you just have to watch it. Have to watch it. You have to watch it. You just have to be there. They'll support those support for sure. Mm-hmm. and then come see the exhibit. And it all ties it all together. Yes. Yeah. Yes. Yes. You have to see the exhibit. Yeah, you have to. It's good. Yeah. So that's Bob Panther. We need y'all to go see it. Um, for sure. And then I, I, the, another street news I wanna talk about is, um, last Sunday was daylight savings time, right? Yeah. The last one ever. Thank God. Yes. Like cuz I'm tired. around like five or six. No, literally, I don't know what happens. It gets dark outside and I'm open. I'm ready for bedtime. Yeah. I don't care what time it is, if it's dark. It's ready for bedtime. Yes. So I would say to all of our people that live in Seattle area, make sure you're getting your Vitamin D supplements. Make sure you are upping that. I know I up mine every fall when it gets dark outside because we're already vitamin D deficient. And so make sure you're taking supplements so we're, you know mm-hmm. so we don't sleep all day. Cuz that's what happens to me. And then just make sure that we're doing some self-care, like this time of year for me, I know that seasonal depression will sneak in, um, because it is dark and it gets dark around 4:00 PM and then, you know, again, my body's like, it's time for mm-hmm. every nap, possible Um, but I would say just make sure, like self-care is important. Holidays are coming up. It's holidays are, we can't assume that it's always a great time for everyone. There's hard times in the holiday season, so just make sure we're all taking care of ourselves. Like that's the street news. Like self-care is so important around this time of year. So make sure we're taking care of ourselves. Yeah, and watch your surroundings ladies, as it gets darker at night. Just watch your surroundings. Be safe. Walk in groups or Hootie hoo. Cause we would show up like cheering them. briefly. All right, so we have an announcement, right? Yes. That's be closer. So join us on Sunday, December 4th at 7:00 PM here at Mo Pop, um, at the Sky Church. Um, you get cozy. You can grab a drink here at the cafe, um, and watch a film with your friends, right? So, um, we are having a camp out cinema screening, um, of 1982 s uh, sci-fi Classic Tron Tron Tron about of Tron. Cut that out. Um, but yes, come check it out. Um, we will have a discount code for you guys, um, but make sure to just go through our social media. Um, we'll have it at Black Coffee Northwest on Instagram, um, and other social media platforms. So we will get you guys that code. Oh, and it's 21 over. Yes. Oh, I just realized, oh, that's a job. Kid's stop me. Huh? Stop me. I said sorry, kiddos. Yeah, yeah. Sorry. Hobby. Next time. Next time. Just gimme a couple more. Once that's a complete vibe. Like, I love it. I think that'll be fun. Just bring like your camp chairs and sit out, have a drink. That sounds great. Campfire. Yeah. We hope to see everybody there. But that sounds like a great event. I'm excited about that. Yes. Yay. Yeah, so also make sure to check us out. Um, our video, um, for this podcast is going to be on our YouTube at Block Coffee Northwest. So you guys. Please go watch our video. Uh, we're gonna start, um, recording our podcast now. So yeah, you guys will get to like, see our facial reactions, your faces in our edits in life, So we wanna thank Mo Pop also for this opportunity. Yes. Um, to collaborate and partner with us. Um, as Black Coffee. We always talk about how important community collaborations are and how partnerships are and how you use your platform. So they're pro they're providing their platform for us. And so an intern, we're, we're sharing our. Our, our podcast. And so this is what collaboration looks like. This is what partnership looks like. So thank you to Mo Pop. We're super excited for the beginning of this partnership and our interns have been here. Like, yes, this is amazing and phenomenal, and we would love to see everyone come out to black coffee and visit us. We're at 1 67 43 Aurora Avenue North in Seattle, Washington. Our hours are 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM Monday through Friday, eight to three on Saturdays. On Saturdays. We also have a black copy marketplace where we have small black businesses come in and sell their goods and build their businesses again using our platform, um, after school activities happen at our grounded space. Mm-hmm. which Hobb and Diana manage, which is amazing. Those happen every single day. Again, using our platform, using our space for good, providing free afterschool counseling with therapists for, for anyone that needs it. You just have to go on our Instagram and sign up in the link. That's it. And you have access to a therapist. So, and it's free. And it's free. All of our afterschool programs are free. And so we thank you for all of your support. Every cup of coffee that you buy, every time you share our story, elevate us. It does nothing. But make sure that we are able to provide the, the, the great things that we can provide for our community. And, and we say whatever it is, whatever the community needs, we're able to show up. Yeah. Um, cuz our business structure is very fluid and so we're able to do that. So thank you to MoPac for this beautiful space. An opportunity and shout out to Hobbit and Diana. Um, as a business owner, uh, for me it's just a pleasure and an honor to have two young, intelligent black women. Working and doing. I give them the tools and they take it much further than I ever could. I'm working myself out of a job, which I'm happy to do cause I know that they're gonna take it way further than I ever could. And that's the responsibility as us. I'm not an elder yet. I call myself. I'm a not an elder yet, I'm, but that's the responsibility of our elders is to tell the stories and enhance, pass the baton. So I'm proud of you both. Thank I. You Thank you so much. We have a great role model. Yeah. Awesome. Thank you. Thank y'all. Next week. Every other Tuesday. Bye. Thank you for tuning in to Grounded Conversations by Black Coffee Northwest. We hope you enjoyed and connected with the conversation. Now we wanna keep this going, so if you're in the area, join us in person at Black Coffee Northwest in Shoreline, Washington, just a few minutes outside of Seattle. Otherwise, connect with us on Instagram, Twitter, and on your favorite social media. Form we're at Black Coffee NW on everything. You can also shop our beans and March on our website@www.black coffee nw.com. Until next time, stay connected and stay grounded.