As the Black Lives Matter movement takes hold across the country and around the world, a lot of people are left wondering what they can do to show support at a local level.
In order to amplify the Black community, the Prince George Public Interest Research Group at UNBC, known as PGPIRG, has created a list of local Black-owned businesses and organizations.
“I saw other lists being circulated for other cities including Vancouver and I thought it would be really great for the people of Prince George to have a way to tangibly support our Black neighbours and colleagues and community members,” says Dara Campbell, executive director of PGPIRG.
Campbell says she reached out to different colleagues and contacts to see if anything was already being done before taking on the project herself.
“There are a lot of conversations happening right now around racism and this is a very accessible and tangible way to support the Black community,” says Campbell.
“With Black Lives Matter, yes the focus is police brutality and violence and those aspects of how white supremacy has affected our society, but it’s also about supporting Black people not just when they are murdered or when something tragic or unjust happens but it’s about supporting them in life through their art, their businesses and their dreams.”
In order to create the list, Campbell reached out to the Afro Caribbean Society at UNBC and put a call out on social media asking for suggestions.
She also contacted each business and organization to let them know they’d be featured, and to ask if they’d have any further suggestions.
“I am sure there are other entrepreneurs out there or other small businesses that would like to be added at some point,” says Campbell noting that she’s still encouraging people to tag @pgpirg with suggestions or reach out to keep the list going.
Campbell also pointed to the list's intention to not exclude anyone, but rather amplify the Black community.
“When it comes in general to talking about race and talking about a specific group and we talk about Black Lives Matter a lot of people tend to create an assumption that the word ‘only’ is in the sentence,” says Campbell.
“It’s about making space and amplifying people who have historically and presently been pushed down and been oppressed. It’s not at all about exclusion, it’s about focus. There are a lot of organizations in town doing a lot to support local business in general […] and that is really amazing and we support that too but I want it to be really clear that there is nothing wrong with focusing on Black businesses and Black lives.”
There are currently 11 businesses, artists and organizations on PGPIRG's list.
“This is something we want to celebrate and something that will make our community stronger.”
Black-owned Prince George Businesses and Organizations:
Blue Green installs solar power and energy storage systems. Located in Prince George at 5455 Haywood Rd.
A Prince George tailoring service offering tapering, hemming and zipper fitting services. Located at 1685 3 Ave.
Prince George janitorial service offering general cleaning of buildings and maintenance. Find out more about the company on Facebook.
Ethnic grocery and beauty supply store. DJ Afro Superstore also showcases beautifully bold African jewellery, clothing, accessories, authentic hair wigs and extensions.
Katch Spa is an at-home professional environment where you can come and get pampered. It offers a wide range of services from gel manicures to waxing to massages.
Pacific Northwest Garden Supply (B.C. chain)
A one-stop-shop for all your hydroponic needs. Located at 1822 Aberdeen Rd.
Simba Motors is a one-stop-shop for auto repair in Prince George. Technicians are certified to handle simple to complex jobs that range from brake tune-ups to complete 4x4 repairs. It’s located at #24-1839 1 Ave.
Artists:
Airik Clark is a singer-songwriter and has been hosting and playing stages and festivals throughout B.C. for the last 10 years, drawing influence from artists like Lenny Kravitz and Colin James.
Alex Cuba, is a Cuban-Canadian singer-songwriter who sings in Spanish and English. He has won two Juno Awards for World Music Album of the Year.
Organizations:
The Nigeria Canada Association of British Columbia (NCABC), is a non-profit and non-partisan association dedicated to promoting friendship, awareness, knowledge and understanding, and bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Canada, and other countries in British Columbia, in all areas of development and cultures. Contact: Nigerianassociation.nbc@gmail.com
UNBC Afro-Caribbean Student Association
The goal of this club is to celebrate culture and heritage, building a strong sense of community. Contact: acsa@unbc.ca
