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Kujichagulia the quest to Define Self-Determination

// December 27th, 2009 // Comments // Rants, Web 2.0, usability

Kujichagulia (Self-Determination):

I am often asked what you are… usually it is in reference to my professional definition, Sometimes it is in reference to my dialect! I had Individuals tell me I don’t look “Trini”, I’ve had some say that my designs were not black… Others are quick to define if you let them!

Kwanzaa is new to me and somehow this year I find myself reflecting on its principles and what it means! Earlier today I posted my stream of thought on Umoja! Today is Kujichagulia (Self-Determination):

To define your business, name your business, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves!

Few adults can do this… our culture has taught us to have absolute control over our children, And sometime it’s difficult to know when or how to help them become the best adults they can be!

Define your business; how are we supposed to define something of this magnitude if we do not feel entitled to define our style of clothing! The challenge as a parent is deciding what decisions to hand over to them when and more importantly how to raise them to define for themselves! Many young college students enter college without ever having to define a budget for food, clothing and shelter! Too often we leave college with moms and pops taking up the slack and we are adults unable to determine our own spending habits! Economically it is not easy to let teenage make mistakes with the food budget! More importantly letting go of control and allowing them the make choices based on their thinking process is difficult! My 17 old son can now budget and shop… surprisingly he has leaned to use coupons and weekly special something I honestly did not set out to teach him and truthfully there rea days I still try to lay down every decision! This lack of entitlement or discomfort with it reflects in our use of technology! We either go too far, saying and doing as we please regardless of consequences, or not far enough; not speaking up commenting and having our voices heard!

Self determination is a skill formed over time!

My workshops guide creative individuals through defining their business! For the record I believe in calling, purpose, mission and affinity! Instinctively, we know what we want to do … as kids we show an affinity but we’re often taught how to behave and act! Unfortunately most education systems , rather than teach us how to optimize our talents, to achieve the most lucrative outcomes; teaches us to choose and prepare for the most lucrative professions! Over 80% of the artist in our groups have degrees and are social workers… no wonder our support services are so inefficient! Choosing to follow ones dream to live ones calling requires a GIGANTIC proportion of courage! More importantly it needs support! I once stood in a local business workshop as a designers asked, almost in tears for solutions to deal with a husband who made her life difficult whenever she pursued her business goals! The male lead had could not connect with her experience! I have seen that story over and over again! We need to speak about this to bring the issue of ownership of businesses as a community responsibility and encourage it’s support especially at the family level!

Self determination requires vast amounts of courage

As I thought on what self determination meant as far as “creating for self” and “naming our business”; My mind went back to the projects during the latter half of this year FashionCamp, and the workshops with Black Media Professionals! What we do not know is preventing us from making effective decisions! In the last few years changes have been so rapid that unless we make it our business to stay current we run the risk of really missing the boat on these two! A few years ago there was no twitter, no such job as content creator! Someone asked me why were there are so many nurses, nurses aides and baby sitters in our community. Most of these hate their jobs yet it’s the only professional choice they were exposed to!

Self determination requires constant research and refining!

A few days ago I receive an email announcing the TED2010 speaker line-up among the intros and how people defined themselves, One presenter has just fascinated me:- Michael Schemer skeptic! Michael Schermer.com skeptic.com here is a man who dared defined his own profession! Apparently he’s not alone… There are other “skeptics”! One of my mentees recently asked me, how would she define her job description! When you create your own You can define your own job description! What pain can you solve, what pleasure can you give! I have been thinking about that this year when asked I’ll say I’m a Badasse! It will be the ultimate test self determination! Yes I’m influence by distance childhood references to Pam Grier, to a young girl growing up in the 70’s she was referred to with a certain, hushed reference , she was a BAD girl that did “right”. Simply put she was a trail blazer! B.A.D.A.S.S.E really is an acronym on a project of giving voice around the issues that surround Black, women and/or business as it relates to creativity! It took a while to claim but I have been an advocate since my late teens! I’ve tried to walk away but it is my calling! I am not quite a fashion designer, I am much more than a project manager, sure I’m an early adaptor, but I’m not really a geek! So what am I, I am a Badasse… at the least it will start a conversation!

Self Determination gives you poetic license!

I recently saw a discussion where someone was in a quandary, apparently his facebook account was deleted what and if like most people he has moved his contact to, and subsequently built the rest of his list on facebook! I fully understand his dilemma! Organizing my contacts is core to my definition of self determination! It is the sole reason I’m moving my contact list to www.Gist.com. Their statement that my list was mine struck a nerve! My list my contacts are mine and I should be free to move it whenever possible! At the same time my contacts have a right to determine what info I have access to of theirs and what they receive from me! I encourage people to unsubscribe and will be sending them an invite to update their profile via Gist!

Self Determination demands that we take responsibility for the control our information!

Which leaves me perusing “speak for ourselves”? Communication is especially important, and media in all its present manifestations and forms are important!

Too often we are afraid of censorship and cower behind silence! This year for example the issue of “black” designers were hot topics, Yet most who wrote on it were whites or writers with no reference to the authentic experiences of designers of African descent! We did not speak for ourselves… sure we have huge conversations huddled together at events, around menus at lounges , or in each others store… yes contrary to popular believe we actually like, admire and support each other and know each other! But to find designers with active collections addressing the topics! Where are the “REAL” Black designers! Maybe they have simply given up or are so busy focusing on surviving that they cannot deal with how or who speaks for them! If there is no other area that defines our freedom is the ability to speak for ourselves! As a young girl in Trinidad I discovered African fashions in one the patterns books and fell in love I had an aunt the girlfriend of my “Rasta” Uncle who wore her “fro” and wore was proudly natural! “I’m Black and I’m proud! Was an image I saw from an early age! We affect others when we give voice!As such as an adult and more importantly as a designer I never had issues of identity! The importance of young girls seeing themselves in the media cannot be overlooked! There are many who claim that the web is devoid of racism… really! I will give you a list of fashion sites they do not reflect the America I know! I was once told that Brooklyn Fashion Gallery was too ethnic and as such designers and the problem will have issues with it! My answer, “If the color of the model will affect your choice, you are not my customer!”

I can say this because I determine my platform! I am not dependent on anyone… if we do not have media, press; televisions programs where we can self determine we will be lost! I am reading on social media and fashion and most of the speakers are marketers, few true ”fashion” people are saying anything! The story that is being written does not reflect the experience of designers I encounter! History will record something that does not reflect the times! Today I wonder and question the accuracy at historical reports! The man who owns the media apparently writes history! Self determination is a cultural and historical responsibility!

Kujichagulia

Umoja is a Verb

// December 27th, 2009 // Comments // Web 2.0, usability

The following was written on Dec 26th 2009 , however I got side tracked online!It Is part of a series address culture, creativity collaboration and commerce and the adaptation, adopting and integration of new media and web 2.0! Observations are solely my own personal views and assessment and I welcome any opportunities to convince me otherwise!

I have seen that word so much today that I want to ask them what does “UNITY” mean, to you and how do you manifest it in your daily life!

UNITY IS A VERB … a doing word much like faith it is something that needs to be acted on!

If we live the principles we extol rather than just reciting them we will neither be lost or struggling! Please do not confuse sacrifice with struggle! Few realize that for the last six years I have run a totally unfunded project that helps local artist , designers and creators, The results have been great… many have been able to leave their jobs and support their families! It is up to them to acknowledge who they are, their privacy is assured! I have sacrificed for the last six years on this community project, I can honestly say I have never struggled! While I may reference their stories their names are kept private!

First of all what does UMOJA mean to you; how do we go beyond saying it to achieving it!

UNITY is a decision to work together to solve a need or problem that is common! More importantly it is taking steps to put that decision into ACTION! At the core, what works against us, is the notion that we can get ahead of the pack if we work alone, somehow gain some advantage and profit more than our fellow man!

Essentially Unity involves working as one, putting the common goal before your own!

It can be at a common time, even temporarily,
It can manifest itself at a common place
It can be a singular strategy
It is an action on the part of many to create ONE!

It cannot be stressed enough! Unity is about ONE common goal or purpose; taking responsibility. Frankly it is a matter of what we see as important! The minute we realize that survival (and working in unity as part of that survival), is the issue we will step forward!

The tech industry is a prime example of unity among competitors, working to advance the common cause, yet each able to define what set them apart and stand out!

I promised this series to Barbara Garnes of SoHe Designs last year. Living the principle of our culture, as a guide to succeeding in business! I will focus on how, it can be achieved rather than what is not happening. If I tell of stories of it is to show how they affect solutions. If anything reminds me of our lack of unity and our struggle to understand it… It is the demise of 4W Circle, an institution that housed many artist and was one of the few platforms for the creative in our community! There were managerial and financial problems as many arts groups face! However Unity the principle of Umoja is supposed to provide strength! So instead of rehashing what went wrong, I’ll like to tell of a model that works!

I’d like to introduce you to NYC Resistor here in Brooklyn on Bridge St… It is a hacker space… I love it but due to my community work, I have not been able to attend the workshops etc Simply put a group of friends needed a space to work on problems their creativity and hobbies, mainly of a tech nature but more hardware oriented, They needed tools that were expensive; laser cutters, soldering irons! So they got together created a “LEGAL” corporation and rented a space in downtown Brooklyn! They pay a monthly stipend towards expenses give workshops and have a great craft night! They also host workshops and split the cost with the workshop leaders! TOTALLY SELF SUPPORTED! Out of that space has come one of the best tech innovations Makerbot

Take that concept to our community, and to the fashion and creative sector! Getting folks together under a unified umbrella is difficult! In October 2003 a group of local designers met to discuss the needs of the industry… again a few years later and essential their have been several such meeting! Invariably you’ll get a call when a designer, figures they need help on a project! THEY WILL ACT ONLY WHEN IT SERVES THEIR INTEREST… The problem is that their individual interest never all seem to happen at the same time! There is a need for a physical collective; with space for production, sample design and exploration with the access to the latest technology, tools and resources, not to mention a magazine and media outlets that serves the Design community! We are not speaking of what other think designers need but what designers know they need!

I guess to have unity we need to have or more importantly identify a common agenda… I just assume that growth and positioning , even simple affordability in providing common needs should be enough!

Last week the city closed applications for the designer incubator space! The very definitions and requirements would have kept most designers of color out! It is not till designers come to a common understanding of their needs and work together in UNITY will we see change!

Working In UNITY seems simple so what’s preventing it from happening!

It’s Cultural…

I can’t fully agree… culturally we are familiar with “SouSou’s” Or “Hand’. This is working in unity, It has built and furnished homes ! Why can’t we put that same concept to work…a group of designers and artist come to together each putting a fixed amount, and doing their part (on time and to the best of their ability) They instead of the 3000- 5000 per month for space and marketing, a group of six would pay $500-$635. a group of ten $300-$500, They can then afford to better market as well as hire someone full time, even to get fabrications and better equipment!! They’ll each have more hours to work on their creativity! If they can get past whose name in on the banner!
UNITY IS ABOUT THE BIGGER PICTURE!

I’ve been having discussions with designers on this, as well as on taking in apprentices the hold up;- Many Claim frustration, people come just to “get” and then they leave! Firstly Those people are going to realize they left too soon… and let’s get real that’s growth! My mother always had an apprentice and the day she had extra work or did not want to do a job she had a selection of places to send the work! I am a designer who sends people to designers all the time! I am not afraid of “Losing a Customer”, there is just so much I can handle!
UNITY IS ABOUT THE COMMON GOOD!

Another scenario a designer wants to save her space and asks to help, the discussion turning it into a community “so-working” design space where the cost is shared; the hold up I must control all the clients that walk through that door… this is my space! Or on the flip side artists who refuse to understand that sharing the benefits mean sharing the responsibility!

UNITY can so change the landscape for businesses! Instead of thinking I gave a few dollars so I do not have to do anything but show up! Think of how much time, money and effort you saved by working in UNITY! Don’t just show up, ask what else, you can do to help
UNITY is about sharing the cost and workload and effort!

Or several artists wanting to vend at a street fair the space was donated by a local business the hold up! One vendor wants to charge the others full cost “EACH” for the cost of the donated space, … I need to make money, It’s my tent!

In most cases unity is used as a tool only to cover cost not to share in the gains! Unity has to have balance to work! I have heard artist say they are going to shows to get “another businesses client list”. When next you sign up to an event make sure you send invites to YOUR list and add to the overall success!
UNITY needs balance and needs to be fair!

We speak of unity yet I cannot find a project based on the principle and please I am dying for someone to correct me! I send out invites for project s artist and designers are having ..all voluntary (I am NOT PAID, but will notify you if and when I am, as per FTC rules)! What I get with each is a stream of individuals telling me what they are doing! Do they support the others, even by sharing it with their list… no! A simple solution would be a common space to post so— BTW Do NOT SEND ME YOU EMAILS TO POSTS or BLAST! I no longer post I have set up spaces where creatives can post their news… I have been moving away from emails artist will have to opt-in to receive news!
UNITY is sharing Knowledge…

Then there is the other problem hustlers who see groups as a money making venture!
Yes, Unity still requires work and someone has to do that work, a well organized group that serves artist and visionary endeavors is a lot of work and deserves to be supported, via direct subscriptions donations and sponsorship! We cannot let those who organize unified projects go unsupported, or we loose them! However I am speaking about those promoters, who have no idea of what they speak, refuse to do the research and get educated, and yet sell expertise and promises of large numbers; they work solely in pursuit of personal gain! Unity is about balance! I have worked so many projects where others knew of past indiscretion, and said nothing, seeing members taken advantage of!Eventually these bad apples erode thecommon trust.
Unity requires truth and protection and support!

Too often we have and pass along only the story of struggle! Many of us are afraid to sacrifice to make choices and let go of the unnecessary weight that holds us down and back! We need to change the language we use! I was reminded of this video I discovered via a facebook link on the impact of a single story, when this week when I reconnected with a designers who had started the workshops I gave at 4W Circle Of Arts and Entertainment about a year before it closed! Her words were- can’t, fear, don’t, won’t! Those of us who are making change who have found solutions need to share! Tell the stories of victory and encourage others! Their are artist and visionaries who are flourishing, finding and living their truth , passion and mission.
Unity is Positive!

I was recently asked why they won’t speak up and give credit or testimonials that’s part of the issue I am who I am because of those who came before me! I have mentors, teachers, even those I did not meet laid the foundation for who and what I am today! The artist I work with each taught me something new and I acknowledge that.
Unity must be respectful!

For me unity means taking a day out of my schedule to help another in need! It means sharing what I have learned and giving references to other designers and projects when someone seeking that help comes my way! It Is the steadfast determination that the next generation would have a stronger platform from which to leap and build their dream! It is getting 28 Designers together to defy the myths on African design Heritage! It Is coordinating across sectors, nationalities, geography styles It is 20 hrs a day 6 sometimes 7 days a week. It is looking at artist and designers who know their actions are self centered and gently steering us together! It is being firm and protective and telling those who know they’re doing wrong, “if you keep doing that BS and taking advantage of the innocent, I’ll call you out”!

Unity is precious gift that needs to be nurtured protected and more importantly executed!
UMOJA

Sourcing Shows Catch Up With Social media Marketing

// December 13th, 2009 // Comments // General, Web 2.0, usability

I ‘ve notice the efforts by Print Source to modernize their marketing they’ve added a blog and even a Gallery powered by a F lickr account!

I have a full day ahead of me preparing and sending out correspondence for a large project in February! But I just had to take time out to share!

There is a lot said about fashion, technology and Social Media, but when I see one of my favorite trade shows adapting social media into their marketing I just had to reach out! finally a way to share… well a move in that direction! this info is needed by the local designers!

As a Fashion Editor I have all but stopped attending local designers events! When I write I am honest and it had reached the point that some local designers were simply placing the same items year after year on the runway!

I actually can tell which local fabric outlet they had picked up their fabrics! More importantly they were just sewing! Their collections were not cohesive had not focal point , theme or dare I hope “story”! More importantly they have given up control over their art to some promoter who decides what model , music and even choreography should represent their vision! Yes I said If you have a problem… Talk To Me!

There is no excuse especially for New York based designers, trade shows are free to attend! All a designer has to do is simply register show up, present ID and connect! Unfortunately this is not something that seems to be promoted to students.. . so many graduate without ever having attended a TRADE SHOW!

To add to this many trade outlets operate in secrecy…only within (taditional) trade circles! You really to be part of the “inner” circle to know and Intellectual property concerns meant covering events were tough! Try getting a press kit or image from one of the exhibitors! Printsource is better at least I found their exhibitors tend to be more press savvy!

So I am ecstatic to see the move by Printsource to incorporate social media aspects into their marketing! Now I can at least show what a sourcing show entails… and just maybe entice some of those designers to consider adding this to their schedule!

If you ever wondered how all the stores seem to agree on the season’s colors etc… it not magic. Trend-spotting and trending is not just guess work, there is a science behind this! In larger design companies there may be a team responsible just for sourcing!

I am more attracted to Surface than actual textile designs( but with new advances in Technology I’m becoming a convert! There are two major surface or print design show in New York I attend! Printsource has more of an American approach! The other, Direction by Indigo (thanks to my Design Options newsletter) has not started this approach see there gallery here.

Previously they were both held in the same building which made it easier to attend both (artist clustering was a plus, not competition) now they are in two different locations Blocks apart! Lets see how that works out in the NYC Bitter winter temperature!

Click this link to see media in actual post!

So How does it measure up!
Social Media Marketing is about sharing!
… or rather getting others to share for you, it is the power of the hive! Posted on their site I cannot share, because their is nothing there to allow me to ( also a problem with flickr)!

SHARING IS NOT A FOUR LETTER WORD…

DeMarketplace is an online incubator… www.Demarketplace.com and all sub directories are meant to be used as a working base and teaching tool ( both for what works and what does not) for those in a local network and workshops I conduct… yet the sharing function is still important! I simply email the page needed to show what I may be discussing via a phone conversation! I’ve found that others are showing their friends and from my site stats we have a lot of visitors for a local site That is not marketed! Those tools work!

As it is, this post auto-post to my Facebook profile, and Frienfeed, It has qr codes (that Black and white box) Download the reader, so that it can be accessed and bookmarked via mobile! On my blog at the bottom of this post it can be emailed, printed and shared on several networks! I use wordpress as a platform and Disqus for commenting! So trackbacks are a breeze! There is an RSS feed that orange button next to the address bar so individual you can subscribe via google reader or by email

It is accessible via audio and also a podcast… I work with artist who use their hands they do not have time to sit and read but can listen!

Credit…
This is something I’m also trying to improve tagging and describing my post and adding links… I’ve taken to watermarking the domain (adding the website) associated with the images on the pictures! I have over 9000 images of designers and artist I am starting to loose track!

Attribution:- Technically under a full copyright I cannot email or share the images online hence I opt to use their Flickr slide show! Choosing a Creative Commons License (which Flick makes easy) allows for full creative copyright but allows others to share under terms you choose! You can see how PrintSource uses this on their site , which will lead you directly to their stream!
What does your web page do for you?

The point is that the reader has the option to get what I post, how and if they choose to receive it! More importantly he or she can share it with someone they think can enjoy it!

Why share… simple seeing is believing! I have spoken of this and written about this, it is not till designers attend sourcing shows, that they understand the significance of this !

Yes both of these shows cater to “press”, the fact is however the definition of PRESS is changing.

I help creative individuals find ways of monetizing their art, I am always called upon for resources! More importantly as a designer I am a direct link to other designers and artist. Individuals in a sector communicate; we always have we still find our leads via phone conversations, and as we become more engaged in social media so too does the importance of that medium and the reach! I can reach Brooklyn Designers, those in The Fashion and technology Sector!

We are moving our efforts to reach Designers of African descent worldwide, but a simple click of a button I can have a one hr conversation with a designer in Africa or the Caribbean and point them to the resource they need! I am more likely to take the recommendation of another designer, whose work I know, over someone who claims to be an expert ! Personal recommendations is how the creative community has always worked, with the growth of the indie design scene that is promotion your press or PR cannot cannot have the same effect as info shared by a trusted colleague! Social and New Media Marketing tools simply make sharing easier!

So what would I recommend… Commit to sharing

Add descriptions and tags and a link to your site on the flick images and site, so I not only understand what I’m seeing, but Flickr has one of the largest user bases! It’s your outpost! Your current blog set up does not allow me to share easily I’d recommend moving to a self hosted wordpress platform (this for a Joomla advocate!) I started with blogger and unfortunately it has not grown much since it’s early days!

I do not see why any business site would not have an RSS feed on it’s default landing page today; I subscribe to updates via Google reader! Many site privacy You can have the more sensitive info in another directory! Personally I seldom revisit a site that has a static front page (especially Flash Based sites) So much money is spent in there development I know they won’t be changed for a while!

Yours truly

Bonnie Sandy
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