Stars Rally Around Black-Owned Businesses
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About Town People, Places, Preoccupations 1 From left: Owner James Fugate, Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A County Supervisor Mark Ridley- Thomas at Leimert Park’s Eso Won Books, L.A.’s only black-owned bookstore, on June 3. 2 Catfish and chips at Post & Beam restaurant in Baldwin Hills. 3 Nick Cannon (left) and chef Velvet of new vegan spot The V Tree. 4 Lot Xi bath teas. 2 3 5 Insecure’s Issa Rae. 6 Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen in Inglewood. 6 1 5 4 SOCIAL ACTION Stars Rally Around Black-Owned Businesses Issa Rae, Kerry Washington and stylist Jason Bolden inspire consumers to shop L.A.’s minority enterprises, which push ahead despite less access to capital: ‘The repercussions of these economic choices can last for decades’ By David Kaufman nstitutional racism. “This is a moment for people, opening businesses at the fastest that we frequent — even in South Economic inequality. especially white people, to rate in the nation, Black women L.A.,” says Rae, adding, “I wanted I Systemic police brutality. understand the value of Black have received the lowest levels to invest in a space where people They’re heavy concepts for businesses,” explains stylist of venture capital funding over there looked like me — working, most consumers, even those eager Jason Bolden, a favorite of Taraji the past decade, according to producing and networking.” to support minority-owned busi- P. Henson and Yara Shahidi, who DigitalUndivided, an organization Minority-owned firms are also nesses in this current climate of along with his interior designer supporting female entrepreneurs denied bank loans at higher rates, protest. But as the nation recoils husband, Adair Curtis, led Netflix of color. Perhaps that’s why high- while loans are often approved for from George Floyd’s death at the reality series Styling Hollywood. profile minority women are now far lower amounts. “Many of us hands of a Minneapolis police “Buying from minority busi- directly supporting businesses risk our own savings to start our officer, those directly involved in ness owners helps sustain their in their own communities, such businesses,” says Nikki Porcher, ending racism say it’s no longer enterprises, while affirming the as Insecure creator Issa Rae, who founder of nonprofit group Buy enough to simply “buy Black or journeys they took to get there.” partnered with Hilltop Coffee From a Black Woman. brown” — #woke shoppers need Those journeys are often + Kitchen to help open its new At the same time, Black families to understand why their purchas- precarious, particularly for outpost in Inglewood. “Black possess the least accumulated ing power truly matters. minority women. Indeed, despite people rarely get to own the places wealth in the nation, nearly 10 ESO WON: GENARO MOLINA / LOS ANGELES TIMES VIA GETTY IMAGES. CARA POST: TAYLOR. COURTESY OFTREE, SUBJECT. LOT: RUDOLPH. ED HILLTOP: RAE: JON KOPALOFF/FILMMAGIC. THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER 21 JUNE 10, 2020 About Town People, Places, Preoccupations Parents Face a Camp-Less Summer L.A.-Based Industry families brace for school break amid sleepaway cancellations and virtual-class fatigue: and Black ‘We’re scrambling to find an RV’ By Elycia Rubin Owned CANDLESSENTIALS 2 3 All candles are handmade with coconut wax in L.A. 1 Montage Laguna (rooms from $845 a night). Ten percent of profits go to 2 A King Pier View room at Malibu Beach Inn, nonprofit Her Success Inc. where rooms start at $425 nightly. In the new season of HBO’s Insecure, candlessentials.com 3 The beachside pool at Surf and Sand Resort Issa Rae’s character throws a block party to in Laguna Beach (rooms from $469). support Black-owned businesses. 4 A 2019 Coachmen Pursuit RV, available LOLA ADE JEWELRY through RVshare ($275 nightly, $2,035 weekly). Designer Lola Ade has 5 Interior of a 2019 Fleetwood Flair RV. times less than the average white been crafting handmade family’s, reports the Pew Research jewelry inspired by her Santa Barbara coast. “We’ll stay Center. “Black business owners childhood in Lagos, Nigeria, in the cabins, walk to the beach, usually don’t have Mom or Dad to since 2010. lolaade.com and the kids can bike all over the bail them out if things go wrong,” grounds and explore.” NIMBUS COFFEE 1 4 5 says story editor Calaya Michelle This year-old DTLA cafe is Another high-end option is Camp Stallworth, who led a move to a whimsical Harry Potter- Embark, a new offering from luxury order writers room lunches inspired destination for J.K. fter weeks of virtual home with later summer sessions, should (The Hangover, New Girl) usu- in Hollywood, and one of the of my clients reached out to beloved travel titan Jack Ezon of Embark exclusively from Black-owned Rowling fans and caffeine school in the COVID-19 era, safety guidelines allow it to do so. A ally travels to Provincetown, leading companies, RVshare, is teachers about bringing them on to Beyond. The customized private addicts alike. 1115 S. Hope A restaurants on Hulu’s Wild Cars unplugging has never been number of East Coast camps such as Massachusetts, with his partner and seeing record numbers across the quarantine with their families,” she camp program for the entire family is St.; nimbuscoffeela.com during Black History Month 2019. more essential for children. Tripp Lake, Camp Takajo and Camp their two young children for part of nation. “Bookings are up more than says. “The idea is to create your own available at five-star resorts includ- Black-owned businesses are ORGANIGROW HAIR CARE “Kids are so resilient, but they Modin are moving forward. the summer. But, he 1,000 percent since early April,” says ‘Camp Backyard’ filled with engag- ing Amangiri, Montage Deer Valley often located in mostly African Founded by Grammy- need to have fun together in outdoor Virtual camps are aplenty, but says, “we just can’t CEO Jon Gray. Conan supervising ing activities and curriculum led and The Resort at Paws Up. “This is American neighbor- nominated songwriter Kay spaces and run free,” says Christy escaping the Great Indoors is what wrap our heads around producer Rachel Bernstein and her by someone your family trusts and akin to a hotel kids’ club,” says Ezon, , the company offers hoods, which may Cola Stratton, co-executive producer of industry families are craving. “We a nearly six-hour flight.” family began exploring an RV spree adores, and who strictly adheres to “but it’s a full-service, highly tailored a range of nontoxic plant- later gentrify, pricing based hair care products. Fox’s Bless the Harts. Like many par- need a change of scenery,” says Smith-Forge And, with his son’s when their older daughter’s sleep- your quarantine protocols.” experience created for parents and out pioneering own- organigrowhairco.com ents in the industry, she’s wrestling 20th Television executive vp devel- favorite day camp, away camp, Skylake, near Yosemite, Many industry-frequented their kids.” Washington ers. Marginalized with what to do with her children this opment Jennifer Gwartz, whose Fitness by the Sea, now was canceled. “We’re also thinking beachfront resort hotels, such as Facing a camp-less summer, areas are “where REFLEKTION DESIGN summer when most sleepaway and daughters’ sleepaway camp isn’t canceled, Yanklewitz about hiring a soccer coach to prac- Malibu Beach Inn, Montage Laguna, Michael McDonald, head of scripted we [can afford] to get in,” says An online store featuring day camps in California are canceled, moving forward. Berlanti Productions is mapping out an tice with the kids outside,” she says. Surf and Sand, and The Resort television at John Legend’s Get bags, jewelry, cloth face Karl Franz Williams, owner of 67 masks, head wraps and among them Gold Arrow (the spot senior vp production Karyn Smith- Gwartz RV adventure for his Among high-net-worth families, at Pelican Hill, are open with new Lifted Film Co., and his partner cre- Orange Street, a cocktail lounge in pillow covers “for culturally in the Sierra National Forest that her Forge wants to “just get out of the family. “We’re going the idea of hiring a former educa- safety regulations in place, including ated their own wonderland at home Harlem that has welcomed Chris inspired people who love son was planning to attend), Hess house and into a different set- to drive up and down the California tor or coach as an in-house camp technologically advanced sanitizing for the kids. “We have a new water Rock and Nicole Ari Parker. “We unique, colorful pieces,” Kramer, Gindling Hilltop, Canyon ting.” Both families are looking into coast to visit national parks and sites counselor is catching on, accord- of guest rooms and touch points. slide/bouncy house, Ninja ropes says designer . help these neighborhoods suc- Anitra Terrell Creek and Skylake. River Way Ranch spending time at a summer vacation that have some historic value, like ing to psychologist Fay Van Der Stratton and her family are consid- course, trampoline and air hockey reflektiondesign.com ceed, but don’t always get to enjoy Camp in Fresno County called off its rental somewhere in California. the Golden Gate Bridge.” Kar-Levinson, a renowned adviser ering a stay at Montage along with table,” he says. “Our neighbors think these successes.” Apps that list REPARATIONS CLUB first two sessions but may proceed Casting director Seth Yanklewitz RV rentals are in high demand to many industry parents. “Several a visit to El Capitan Canyon on the we’re insane.” Black-owned businesses include This concept shop features Black Nation and EatOkra. books, gifts and apparel and supports Noname’s Book Supporting minority- Club, a reading community owned businesses — as Kerry spotlighting authors of color.