"I've never been huge on just expecting donations or philanthropy to solve the world's problems." That news flash may be surprising coming from the founder of a nonprofit, but it makes perfect sense when you consider the source. She is Aurora James, the designer behind the footwear and accessories label Brother Vellies and the architect behind the 15 Percent Pledge, a young organization with an ambitious agenda.
It was in May 2020 that James noticed one specific problem. In the aftermath of the police killing of George Floyd and the racial justice protests that followed, her social media feed was flooded with empty corporate statements of support for the Black community. The problem was that the companies sharing these posts, many of them in the luxury space all too familiar to James, carried few Black-owned brands on their shelves. It might have elicited no more than an eye roll, but what if there were a teachable moment here for the captains of industry straining to do more than virtue-signal?
James took to Instagram and addressed nine brands directly, including Saks, Sephora, Net-a-Porter, and Walmart: Instead of so many sponsored posts targeting a market that makes up 15 percent of the American population, why not commit to at least 15 percent of product orders from Black businesses? She delivered the message not just as an admonishment but as an invitation. "I am a businesswoman," she wrote. "I am telling you we can get this figured out."
Denne historien er fra November 2022-utgaven av Town & Country US.
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Denne historien er fra November 2022-utgaven av Town & Country US.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Jersey, JE ΤΙΜΕ
Nearly 50 years ago a museum opened in Paris.
THE HUNGER GAMES
Two former bons amis grew up in the same expensive suburb and cut their teeth together in the Paris nightclub scene. Then they launched competing restaurant empires, and the gloves came off. Now one of them is facing a suspended prison sentence and a huge fine. Welcome to the city's most delicious grudge match.
HIDDEN in Plain Sight
T&C was invited into the private archives and secret workshops of Paris, to glimpse the treasures that have made this city famous for its style and craftsmanship. It's a reputation worth fighting for.
GUARDIAN of Objects
Laura Kugel is the go-to art dealer for the world's most discerning clients, but her family's Paris wonderland is open to all. Come inside, won't you?
Ecole! Elysée! SCANDALE!
The path to the French White House requires a political education at one of the country's elite universities. As controversy swirls around Sciences Po-class treason, #MeToo à la française, creeping le wokisme-will its grip on power finally slip?
Are There Still Mysteries in Paris?
Surely not, in the world's most visited city! And yet: Why is the Louvre called the Louvre? Why do the upper stories of its 17th-century buildings tilt in? Why do even familiar streets feel so enticing, unknown? One thing is clear: So many of us return because the City of Light is really one of mesmerizing shadows.
High SEAS
How seductive is a cruise on an ultraluxury ship (yes, that's a category) like the new Regent Seven Seas Grandeur? So much so that a 132-day sailing sold out in three hours. It was time to investigate.
The Cruise Cure
One definition of bliss at sea is padding down a ship's hallway from your suite to the spa in a robe and slippers. Here's what awaits.
Only a Day to Spare?
These hotel spas-mini-me's of destination, health retreats punch way above their weight. So, if you're in the neighborhood...
So, Where Do You Ride in Paris?
A fancy equestrian's guide to the best of Gallic galloping.
