Minority owned and empowered
While we don’t tout it or use it as a market message for new business, we are very proud of being minority owned, operated, and empowered, being both female-led and black-owned. As we recognize African heritage and the contributions of black Americans during Black History Month, this time of year offers us a chance to appreciate the work we do while celebrating “why’s” and “how’s” as well. As a co-founder of Thoroughbrand, with my amazing business partner and dynamic mentor, Michelle, I was never one to follow trends, status-quo or do things “business-as-usual” because that isn’t my nature. My “why” is simple and my “how” is what I do everyday.
If you’ve spent any time with me, you know that there is one why driving me to do anything: people. Marketing, communications, and advertising could easily be categorized as a small, irrelevant component of our modern society; an eventuality of business versus a driver of growth and development. Those of us that do marketing ethically, with intention, and as a passion know it is much more than that. What we do is meant to connect; connect buyers to sellers, yes, but people to people. We cannot forget, during the rigors of our days and efforts of our business, that we are one species, one peoples. I love knowing that I am able to build relationships between people, that benefits them, and in many cases, makes the world a better place. Within that, we celebrate our differences and honor the histories each of us, with our different backgrounds, cultures, vernaculars, and races contribute to the tapestry of humanity.
“…in diversity there is beauty and there is strength. We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of that tapestry are equal in value no matter their color.”
– Maya Angelou
The original goal of Black History Month was to exemplify the work and contributions of artist, professionals, scientist, activists, and other contributors to the tapestry who came from African descent. Being African-American, and watching how the world has changed over the last 40 years, I know there is much more for us to do–but I know we’ve come a long way. I am proud of the world for how far we’ve come from the years of slavery, injustice, segregation, and racism; acknowledging they still exist. I love what I do at Thoroughbrand, and without the progress we’ve made, I wouldn’t be able to follow my passion for service, digital marketing, technology, and communication like I am today. During this month celebrate those great Africans and African-Americans that have helped you get to where you are, as I am.
Happy Black History Month!
– A. Chris Turner