Episode Transcript
Speaker 1 00:00:26 Hey, hey, hey, good people. It's your girl, forr Mcclar. Easily back with another episode of bu bu bu the people are. So y'all already know what it is. Let me get into the housekeeping so I can dig into this conversation with my guests, who I'm sure y'all recognize these on Introduction, <laugh>, but we gonna do that. So
Speaker 2 00:00:46 Let's do it.
Speaker 1 00:00:47 We are on all the platforms, good people, YouTube, apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Prime Music. Please check us out. Thumbs up, like subscribe, leave comments are actually, respond to them. Um, and let us know that you're out there listening and, and how you feel about the content. If it's something that you wanna see, if it's someone you wanna see, something you want us to discuss, um, we can do that for you. Uh, let's see here. The people's ecosystem. I need you to go check us out. Um, we have our new edibles that are called Toy Trees. You can go directly to that website. If you are in Cali, you can partake and treat yourself. The thing I love about the technology that we're using is that it's protein based. And so your body knows what to do with it. It actually breaks it down. You get, you get and keep more of the good stuff. Um, and that's, that's great for everybody. And last but not least, our merch. So we have these uhoh here. It's okay. Bottles, we have shirts, all that good stuff. As I said before, we are, we are revamping and we're gonna come out with some new merch. So what you need to do is go ahead over to the website, get you some OG merch so you can show that you've been down since day one. And, um, and rep and rep like you should. And without further ado, I'm my guest the're. Beautiful. Hey, Christie.
Speaker 2 00:02:08 Hey, f
Speaker 1 00:02:12 So, um, full of transparency, y'all, we've been talking for 30 minutes before.
Speaker 2 00:02:18 We had a pre, we had a little pre podcast conversation, like, the girls like to do
Speaker 1 00:02:24 <laugh>. So, um, sis, how are you? First of all, thank you so much for giving up yourself and your time, uh, to talk to the people, but how are you?
Speaker 2 00:02:35 I'm good. I'm really, I'm really good. And now that we are here and having this conversation, I've been looking forward to it all week. It's a great way to kind of wrap my week up chatting with you. We always have such a good conversation, so I'm excited to talk to people, um, a little bit more about what I'm working on and, um, and what we're doing with the Black Panther business and, and the whole thing. So let's get into it. Whatever.
Speaker 1 00:02:58 Let's get into, let's get into it. So first of all, um, just as a base, just as a foundation, um, cannabis, what's your personal relationship with the plant? Like, do you remember, uh, how you were introduced to it, your first experience? Those may be different, but what's your, what's your relationship with the plant?
Speaker 2 00:03:19 This is so Love Jones <laugh>.
Speaker 1 00:03:22 When did you fall, when did you fall in love with hiphop? Oh, no, that was, um, not Love Jones. That was,
Speaker 2 00:03:28 Um, love and basketball, sugar,
Speaker 1 00:03:29 Brown Sugar. Well,
Speaker 2 00:03:30 Brown Sugar.
Speaker 1 00:03:31 It's Brown sugar. When did you fall in Love
Speaker 2 00:03:34 History Month? It's Black History Month. So I've been watching all of the Odis, the goodies, like I was watching, um, come on. Oh my gosh,
Speaker 1 00:03:44 Which one? Credit Justice.
Speaker 2 00:03:46 Yes. Surprise weekend. I forgot how good that was. Um, okay, but lemme get back to your question, <laugh>. I am, my relationship with the plant has always been recreational. Okay. You know, um, I am a, I have always been a, a really big social smoker. And so I remember in college, I think it was the first time i, I ever, um, experienced, uh, cannabis. And it was a life changing, even at that point because it just was one of those things where, you know, when you're a young adult and you're trying different vices and you're experimenting, you know, with cigarettes or alcohol or all those things that you, you know, were told to never do or not do <laugh> for whatever reason, cannabis, um, kind of stuck, um, it, uh, with me. And so over the years, I think I have gone, especially my young adult life, I was kind of in and out. Like sometimes I, you know, would smoke this very, very socially, and then other times I would not. I'm definitely a flower girl. So, uh, I love a, a good joint mm-hmm. <affirmative>. So that's how I, um, um, that's how I prefer to consume. And
Speaker 1 00:05:06 Are you like, tops paper? Are you like traditional papers or were you like blunts or like,
Speaker 2 00:05:13 I am a blunt girl. I'm, and thankfully I'm pretty good with the role myself. Okay. But I also happen to be married with the, I I, I tell Michael, my husband all the time that he needs to be in a competition to see like the, like a who can roll joints the fast, this type of, of joint rolling. Um, yes, because I love it. I love everything about the ness of pulling the stems and grinding with your fingers, the whole, the, all of it. I'm here for all of it. So yeah, in a nutshell, I am, um, I'm a smoker. I love it. And, um, I have been in love with the plant for probably 30 years. <laugh>, I'm dating myself now. But first
Speaker 1 00:05:58 Of all, first of all, you look good. And that could have just been since 10 because you know how black people do so <laugh>. But you know, I think, I think what you, um, what you spoke about kind of alludes to the ritual of it mm-hmm. <affirmative> and, and how, even though you say recreationally, but how cannabis extends beyond that, right? Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, it really is this like, kind of spiritual thing, is this thing that is not just the smoking, but it's, it's this whole process, right? Yeah. It's, it was probably even the recreationally, the community building and the <crosstalk> and all that that was going on with it.
Speaker 2 00:06:42 For sure. For sure. I mean, the community, the cannabis community has always been so inviting, so welcoming, so receptive. Um, having worked in, in other, um, formally prohibited industries like alcohol and tobacco, I think in a lot of ways it's, it's, it's, the community is similar because it's like, it's us against the world. Like we're fighting for, you know, equal representation and, um, in equal access even in, in those, in those spaces and in those areas. But especially in the cannabis space, because cannabis is a plan. It is a living, you know, breathing natural, um, um, herb that we've been gifted with. And I do think from a spiritual perspective, especially, there's so much left on the table, so much not really spoken about, about just how leveraging cannabis, um, and tandem with whatever your s spirituality is or whatever, you know, however you practice, that can be so much more, uh, uplifting. And that's a whole nother conversation for a whole nother day.
Speaker 1 00:07:46 Yes.
Speaker 2 00:07:46 Uh, but I'll say that some of my best praise breaks, my friends <laugh>, have been right in that garage after I've had a, the best session or the first session of the day. Um, and it's an amazing way just to kick off your day, in my opinion.
Speaker 1 00:08:01 Yeah, yeah. Look, uh, I would agree. And I ain't mad at it. I find that often, like it helps to bring you present mm-hmm. <affirmative>, you know what I mean? Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, because your mind can go so many places, especially if you're a type A mm-hmm. <affirmative>, um, and you are a get shit dumb person, right? Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, um, and we're gonna, we're gonna go into that, but you're a good shit dumb person. So all day you're like super productive, um, and your mind is going so many things. Yeah. And so when you need to actually either come down or actually be able to zero in mm-hmm. <affirmative> and like, focus on this is the task in front of me, I need to bring my full self to that. I feel like the plant, she definitely, cuz we gonna call her, we gonna call her. She's her. She's a her. Okay.
Speaker 2 00:08:49 Yeah. She's
Speaker 1 00:08:50 Her. And so she definitely helps. Um, but speaking to the transition, cuz you brought up alcohol, tobacco, so I know like in your former life, there's so many people who have transitioned into cannabis, you know, I've transitioned and you bring all of this life, this experience, these skills with you, right? And they're part of your former life, if you will, was dealing with like alcohol, tobacco, and things of that nature. So two questions mm-hmm. <affirmative> one, what was the motivation behind that transition mm-hmm. <affirmative> and post-transition, now you've been in it for a little, for a couple of years, what has been most surprising to you mm-hmm. <affirmative> now fully immersing yourself in a cannabis space.
Speaker 2 00:09:39 So those are really good questions. And anyone who's been an alcoholic or tobacco will tell you the same. They're just soly so many similarities to those industries. Um, they're, they're formerly, you know, like most of the formerly prohibited industries are also highly regulated. Yep. You know, so there are nuances to doing business in those spaces that you just don't shape. You know? So even if you leave any of those other industries to go back into corporate America, you or any other, any other industry, you definitely see the stark differences and just look like when we talked about at the beginning of the call, the community of, of working in some of these spaces. Um, um, and so when I decided to transfer or, you know, or, or to take the tr make the transition from my formal, my pre cannabis life to, to now, it was all related to those things.
Speaker 2 00:10:32 I was really wanting to, I was interested because it was an emerging in a lot of areas still, you know, I'm in Texas, so, um, it was an emerging, um, industry. It was vice again. So that's kind of what I've been used to. I saw many former colleagues and, um, and folks that I follow for years make the transition as well for many of the same reasons. Uh, and so for me, I think the most, the most surprising thing, and it still continues to surprise me, um, and, and I think it's probably obvious to most people of color, is just a lack of representation in the space. I mean, and it's still, I mean, and I've been in, I I found it, um, black business in 2018. So here we are almost five years later. And it's, the landscape really hasn't changed that much. Um, in terms of, of, of representation across the board.
Speaker 2 00:11:21 And I, and I'm not just talking about in corporate cannabis, which is ridiculous, but especially in, um, the business ownership and entrepreneurial areas, um, of cannabis, particularly when we think about the disparities that exist in this country as a result of the war on drugs, I would, I would anticipate that the industry will look more like the people that have been criminalized, um, for its, um, um, production and sale before it was legal everywhere. So, so that to me is the, the thing that continues to surprise me. Um, that, but that also inspired me to finally get into the market or get into the space, um, in a professional pers you know, perspective, um, to make a difference in that area.
Speaker 1 00:12:19 Is that what keeps you going? Because like conferences are hard <laugh>, let's just, let's be, let's be honest. Yes. Um, conferences are, are difficult, very time consuming. You're dealing with personalities, you know, you're dealing with logistics. There's a lot that goes into putting this on, right? Yeah. So just the, the, the organizing of it mm-hmm. <affirmative>, um, not even into the, the actual event. Um, what you were just talking about in terms of the lack of representation, is that one of the things that keeps you going? Like what, what to, you said, I'm gonna dig into this conference thing. Mm-hmm. <affirmative> and what, this is like four years in, right? Four years in now. Mm-hmm. <affirmative> mm-hmm. <affirmative>. It's like, I gotta keep doing this. Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 00:13:07 <affirmative>. Um, I'll be honest that what what really keeps me going is the feedback, you know, or the people for the community, and not just from our community, but also our allies that recognize that a platform like Black Canada business is, is necessary. You know? Um, the first couple of years for us have been about proving the concept, like bringing the conference to real life. You know, we started off virtually in 2020, and then we had our first in-person conference in New Orleans in 2021. And then we did it again in 2022. And so this year, for, for me and for the team was just really about taking a step, taking a beat, um, and reflecting on the last couple of years, you know, kind of aggregating all of the data and the feedback and, um, the opportunities that have kind of presented themselves. And then figuring out like our next, you know, way forward.
Speaker 2 00:14:05 And so, um, you know, we, and I guess this is one of the first places I will be making this announcement officially, um, that, you know, black cannabis, the black business, um, conference is going to be moving to the spring. So, whereas traditionally we had been in November of every year, um, we recognized thinking about data and what we were, what we've been aggregating and thinking about, you know, since the inception of the conference was, um, you know, we, we always, I always knew when, when I founded the conference, that I would keep my ear, um, on the, you know, not, not necessarily the trends necessarily. Cause we know those things change, but certainly be open to creating a space that is accessible, um, and attainable for more people than not. Yeah. And so what we found about, uh, what we found is that the fall oftentimes is more of a challenge for those small businesses.
Speaker 2 00:15:01 Um, and entrepreneurs who are closing out their year or budgets have kind of begun to wind down. They're already planning in November for, you know, have already planned for the following year. And so just thinking about how we plan, um, uh, you know, as a, as a business community, thinking about the industry and where all the other events and conferences land. And we know the biggest one, um, is always at the end of the year and November. And so, um, just thinking about what was the next right thing for us as a brand. And so we are taking a beat this year to reorganize, and then we will be back in May of 24, so,
Speaker 1 00:15:40 Okay. Bye. Bye, <laugh>.
Speaker 2 00:15:47 So we'll be back. So we, so, but, you know, but, but it's good. But this time off is gonna be so good for me because to your point, you know, it's been me and a very small team for the last three years. And so it's always go, it's never a break. It's never, you know, stop and think and regroup. And so I'm looking forward to this year, this odd year, um, being that for us,
Speaker 1 00:16:09 Well, um, I think that, again, that's just a testament to, um, one, just you two black women and how we do, right? Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, because you, you saw a need, you decided to fill that void. And a part of it is like, you gotta listen to the people. Yeah. Um, and so that feedback has spoken and, and you are, are handling it accordingly. And I know as a, as a participant, you know, as a participant and also a speaker, um, you know, I'm definitely, I'm definitely pleased with that. And I know it's something that you and I even talked about. Like, yeah, man, we holidays, we got this, we got that is so much in that fourth quarter mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Um, I think a ton of people are gonna be pleased. I'm, and, um, and I think that it will reflect. So wait, is it still gonna be in Nola?
Speaker 2 00:17:00 We're still gonna be in New Orleans. Okay. Um, now of course we still are going through different ideas and thinking through really what's best, best, but right now I'm thinking, we'll, we'll say, you know, there's been some conversation about taking the show on the road and, and doing a conference in different places every year. So that's kind of what this year is, is all about. It's kind of figuring, figuring some of that good stuff out. But, um, as soon as we've landed on all those details, you know, people's, the people will be the first to know <laugh>.
Speaker 1 00:17:32 Hey, no, y'all heard it here. Um, and you know, I, I see the pros and cons with, all right, like, NOLA, you know that Nola is one of my second homes, right? Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, I lived there for about six, seven years. And so Nola is so black, right? Yes. Like Nola is one of those cities, even through its displacement and gentrification, um, that you still have to bend to black, right? Mm-hmm. <affirmative> like that, the essence of the city, um, and the people mm-hmm. <affirmative>, uh, is still there, right? Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. And that is such a beautiful thing. It is a welcoming warm city. You know what I mean? Right. Um, and so selfishly I love it, you know, selfishly I love it.
Speaker 2 00:18:15 Absolutely.
Speaker 1 00:18:17 Right. Right. But, you know, we'll, we'll we'll see. Hey people, we gonna keep y'all up, uh, abreast, but
Speaker 2 00:18:23 Yes. We'll,
Speaker 1 00:18:25 So even with that being said mm-hmm. <affirmative>, I know. So let's get into this other thing cuz you stay busy. And so I know that, um, recently you were talking about, or they, the, the news broke mm-hmm. <affirmative> about this partnership with, let me get it right, the Black Canada Equity Initiative mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 00:18:49 <affirmative>
Speaker 1 00:18:49 Mm-hmm. <affirmative> with the town halls that are gonna be taking place. Yeah. Can we dig into that? Cause my understanding is that, um, there is a virtual opponent, but there also may be some faith, you know, some, some live in person. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. So let's dig into that.
Speaker 2 00:19:07 Let's dig into it. Yeah. So even though we decided that this week we were, we, I mean this week, this year we're, cause
Speaker 1 00:19:13 It feels like that <laugh>
Speaker 2 00:19:17 And I haven't even had my, uh, my drink yet. But anyways, even though that we're taking a break from our annual national event, we thought it was a really good opportunity though to get into the markets, um, and to, and to support, um, those markets that have supported us over the last three years. Uh, and so we are going to be having a national conversation. And that's the thing about, you know, cannabis, we know that it's so siloed already because if, you know, every state is different, how, how licenses are, um, are, um, given how they are, um, operated on. All those things are so, so different, um, both in plant touching and ancillary, depending on the state that you live. So this tour, um, is, is really going to the markets to have conversations locally, um, and regionally about those things that are important to people of color that are doing business in those, in those spaces. Yes. Um, and so we are partnering with the one and only Mr. John Bailey.
Speaker 1 00:20:17 Oh, I love him.
Speaker 2 00:20:18 Who everybody loves, who has coined himself as a guy, our godfather, um, in cannabis. And, um, and he's based out of Denver. So that's gonna be our first virtual, um, town hall. So we're kicking everything off actually next Friday. So yes, February the 24th, um, um, in Denver. And that's, and when we say in Denver, it's, it's, it's virtual, but each place we go, whether it's virtual or in person, is still gonna be focused on, you know, the market that we are, um, that we are highlighting. And so, uh, Denver and Colorado, although we'll have folks from all over the country, highlighted most of, or this focus of the conversation, um, is gonna be about the opportunities and challenges that exist in that particular part, uh, of the country. So really excited to get out into the field. That's one of the things I did a lot of, um, when I was in tobacco and alcohol.
Speaker 2 00:21:09 There was lots of national ops and very similar to cannabis, where you can't market, um, and advertise in that traditional way. The only way you can really get your news to the people is going to them, you know, getting into those markets. And so, and like in, uh, in alcohol, we would call it getting the market wet <laugh>. So, um, yeah. So we'll be doing very similar, um, activities this year around the country, across the country. And I'm excited to bring pla bring the black Ken business to these different parts of our world. I'm excited.
Speaker 1 00:21:44 So I'm super excited about that. I have ours vp. Yeah. Um, let me just, let me just plug this at the bottom. In terms of information for the town halls, please check out black ken, uh, black ken business.com. I'm sure you can also RSVP there for the event. Um, and to stay tuned for additional ones because this is going to, um, this is going to happen on a consistent or a continual basis throughout the year of 2023. So make sure that you are checking in, tuning in. Um, I think that this is so important.
Speaker 2 00:22:21 Yeah, it is. And I was typing too fast.
Speaker 1 00:22:26 Okay.
Speaker 2 00:22:27 Edit business. So the website is black can business.com and
Speaker 1 00:22:34 Boom,
Speaker 2 00:22:34 C n n. Yeah. A I don't know, I was multitasking to run my mouth, trying to get it in, but, um, but yeah, and I can say, and what I can share is we'll be in Denver, um, for, at the end of this month, and then we're going to, let's see, I'm looking over here cause here's my map. We're gonna go to Jersey, um, in March, Miami in April, um, Missouri and May, Seattle in June, Boston, July, Birmingham, and a Birmingham in August. Okay. Um, New York in September. Chicago in October. And Vegas of course, um, in November. And what's really exciting about some of these events, and this will all be on the website, um, is that we, with some of our in-person events, they are actually, um, a adjacent to other Yes. Events. So Miami will be adjacent to Benzinga Benga
Speaker 1 00:23:26 Conference.
Speaker 2 00:23:26 So the Benzinga conference that's happening there in April, when we go to Birmingham, we're going to be, um, adjacent to the, um, national Association of Black Journalists Convention. So n a BJ isn't gonna be in Birmingham this year, so we're gonna, we go there. Cause one of the things that I'm very passionate about is media. I mean, that's a big part of my background. And, and that's basically what the conference is. But we know as a community that the two biggest influencers on how we are, um, alerted about things or how we, um, you know, learn about things is through black media and the black church. So we wanna make sure that we are focusing on, um, our black journalists and our black, um, media, um, properties so that as we start to rewrite the story about cannabis and our community, um, that our media, um, properties and our journalists, um, are leading, um, with those stories.
Speaker 2 00:24:24 So really excited about N A B J. And then we will be in Boston for the naacp um, convention, and then we'll be in Vegas, um, with MJ Biz. So those are just a few of our stops. And again, everything will be, um, on the website, but that the thinking behind kind of me on to existing events is that one, you know, we know based on the feedback that we've heard, that there are certain, um, conferences and certain events that, um, need, you know, an infusion of culture and, and, and conversation around our community in particular. So we're really excited, um, to the organizers of all those events for welcoming us and seeing the opportunity, um, to start to share more about, um, what we as a community should be thinking about, um, as a, in terms of cannabis and, um, um, and our folks, our people. The people. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:25:20 Yeah. Yeah. You know, so two things come to mind. The first thing, um, is especially when you mentioned naacp, you mentioned the journalists mm-hmm. <affirmative>, um, I think of crossing generational, um, uh, kind of boundaries if you will mm-hmm. <affirmative> mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Um, and that is so needed in the black community. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, you don't always acknowledge how conservative, um, some of our elders. Right? Yeah. You know, you, you have a certain point where it is like mm-hmm. That's still
Speaker 2 00:25:56 Taboo.
Speaker 1 00:25:57 That is still, it's so taboo, but also there's trauma there. Yeah. Right. For sure. This is what happened to my grand grandson, or this is what happened with this person because of disparate treatment. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. And so actually, so you have a lot of our elders who are afraid of, of the plant, you know, afraid of the consumption of the plant. Mm-hmm. <affirmative> especially, and cause we still double Dutch it, right? Yeah. Like, it's still federally illegal, so we still double dusting out here. Um, the second piece, and I want you to speak to this, right, because I know a part of the core values mm-hmm. <affirmative>, um, part of your core values specifically with allies, <affirmative> is about actionable inclusion mm-hmm. <affirmative>, right? Right, right. And I want you to, I want you to speak to that and like the accountability that you mm-hmm. <affirmative> place on that because oftentimes people will label theirselves as allies mm-hmm. <affirmative>, um, or will talk about allies, but not always have ways in which they need to show up mm-hmm. <affirmative> or they need show up. So can you speak to the intentionality around that?
Speaker 2 00:27:11 Yeah, I mean, I think that's really, that's really important because, you know, what we know about the industry and, and what we, what everyone is, is talking about nonstop is equity. Um, and there's so much more than a buzzword. I mean, it could really, it really should be a verb. It really should be something that people are actually working towards putting energy towards doing. It's creating a more equitable landscape for, um, for all of us, but especially for those communities, the black and brown communities that we're so adversely impacted. So when I, um, hear from potential allies or, um, people who, or wanna support, um, you know, the work that, that we're doing with black cannabis is, it always starts off with a real candid conversation. Um, just about exactly what you said it is, what level of commitment, you know, do you have, um, to not just as brand and what we're trying to do with the black candy business, but with the, to the community, you know, at large.
Speaker 2 00:28:08 So we very rarely have or do not have any allies who have never shown up, um, in equitable, equitable space before. Like, we aren't the necessarily the people that you go to and when you're trying to try it out. Right. When we partner with our allies, I mean, we're looking for commitment, um, long term, um, commitment and not just, and, and, you know, financial is great and we'll take it, but even more than that is it with the voice, you know, and, and the leadership. And so we're really fortunate with the folks that we have been able to partner with over the last couple of years where their leadership, um, we're talking about from the CEOs and the Sweet Suite, everyone, um, leaves a statement, um, with us about why they decided to go forward with this partnership and what their commitment is. Um, you know, again, not just to the brand, but to the community.
Speaker 2 00:28:55 And what we like to do is give them an opportunity to not only show up in, um, the black cannabis platform in, in, in support a black cannabis, but we also give them a platform to showcase all the work Yeah. You know, that they're doing and all the spaces, um, that they're working to, um, be more inclusive, um, and, and equitable. So one of the great things about this Year's Town Hall also is that we are going to be, um, the course of everything is, is recorded nowadays for content, but we are actually gonna be putting together, um, uh, a little documentary that we will be re um, screening at the end of the year that just talks about the urgency of now, um, in this space for people of color. And it will highlight those allies and those partners who are doing, you know, who are going above and beyond to make sure, sure.
Speaker 2 00:29:41 Not only our stories, um, are heard, but also the opportunities that, um, exist in this space are actually being realized by, you know, the people who deserve to have them. So really excited and more to come, um, on, on that piece. But it's something we've been, it's been in the works for a minute, but taking this time this year, um, you know, to, to push the conference of the spring has given us an opportunity to really, again, go back to everything that we've abrogated and, and put it in such a place that we can document, um, you know, our progress. And so I'm super excited to be coming to all the local markets and gathering, you know, all of this intel and all of this, all this footage and content and, and conversation, uh, and compiling it into something that as a community we can all kind of track with and look at and say, you know, two, three years from now, we can say, look how far you know, we've come. So that's really the goal of the town Halls kind of kick off this national conversation to capture it, um, in such a way that it can benefit us, um, and to help us to measure, um, you know, the work that we're doing year after year.
Speaker 1 00:30:46 You know, I would, I would just kind of flag, and I'm sure it's, it's, it's been thought about, but I would just kind of flag, um, we know that the presidential election will probably be the next time that we have major mm-hmm. <affirmative>, uh, major movement mm-hmm. <affirmative> for cannabis, right. At a federal level. Right. We know Biden came out at midterms and said, oh, I need y'all to start reviewing and let's, you know, issue these, pardon mm-hmm. <affirmative> mm-hmm. <affirmative>. And so I think between now and then, one of the things that's important is really capturing what the people want. Mm-hmm. <affirmative> what they need if there are, or where there are best practices. Mm-hmm. <affirmative> areas where theory to practice is actually, um, matching the intent, right.
Speaker 2 00:31:41 Of
Speaker 1 00:31:42 Like, repairing harm and making sure people who look like us, you know what I mean? Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, um, are part of this industry mm-hmm. <affirmative>. And so you're, so we're at this pivotal moment and you're going to be, um, kind of orchestrating these conversations and capturing them mm-hmm. <affirmative>, uh, hopefully there are like political connections mm-hmm. <affirmative> where it's like, you know, hey
Speaker 2 00:32:09 Mm-hmm. <affirmative> Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:32:12 Need to take note.
Speaker 2 00:32:14 Right. I, I, you know, I don't think you can have a conversation about cannabis without talking also about policy. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:32:19 Um,
Speaker 2 00:32:20 And, and without also talking about like the, the elephant in the room, which is a lack of federal legislation and safe banking and so many other topics that are important to people of color. But what I think is gonna be so important and exciting to your point about capturing and, and, and documenting all of this, is that at the end of it all, you know, the team and we and the board will be able to sit back and just really come up with a, an item, almost an itemization of those topics and priorities that as a, as a national community, um, we feel, um, should lead the conversation. And so, whereas there are so many organizations doing great work on the ground advocacy groups and nonprofits that are doing that hard work every single day, you know, the objective of Black Panther business is just, again, to bring all, bubble up all those conversations, aggregate all those conversations, and come up with a national plan, uh, of moving forward.
Speaker 2 00:33:11 Because the, the, the, the, I guess the risk of having such a siloed industry is that when it is no longer siloed, there would've been no conversation had that had, you know, across state lines, across regions that were able to, that will bring our community together. And if we're gonna be successful, I mean, if the struggle is already real and we're our, and we're state by state, if we don't really have a succinct plan of action before federal legislation as a community, then we're gonna just be that much further, further behind, you know? So it's our hope, it's my hope that, you know, these conversations, um, will lend to a greater national conversation, which we will always be able to pick up and continue, um, whenever we hit, you know, the annual black cannabis Expo and, and, and conference each year. So, so that's the, that's the, the goal. So now I'm saying it here on the People's, on the people of Blunt podcast. So y'all will be able to hold my feet to the fire and say, okay, Christy, did y'all really accomplish, you know, what y'all set out to, um, or not, but <laugh>,
Speaker 1 00:34:15 I mean, checks and balances, right? We have to hold, we have to hold ourselves accountable the same way we hold others. But I think the, I think the reality is that you have shown, um, that you know, that you're willing to show up mm-hmm. <affirmative> and you have shown that you are willing to, um, to pivot when necessary. You know what I mean? Mm-hmm. <affirmative> mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Um, and that, and that all the intentions are good. You know what I mean? Yeah. So, yeah. So we have Grace and we also hold you accountable and we also like walk with you on this journey. Yeah. Cause it's a hell of a journey.
Speaker 2 00:34:50 Oh my friend. It is, it is that, you know, and what, I don't know, who was that to say I won't take nothing for my struggle now, whatever, black history Month, I'm quoing people. Yeah. <laugh>. But, um, but yeah, and I think, you know, if there's anything that I, um, can say about the space as well is that, you know, um, as a person of color trying to do something that for a lot of people, um, well, could be deemed controversial because I can't begin to tell you how many inboxes I have gotten from folks who are just angry that the name of the conference is black, anything.
Speaker 1 00:35:27 Right.
Speaker 2 00:35:28 Why couldn't it be minority this? Why couldn't it be, you know, bipo this, and it's because it's black.
Speaker 1 00:35:35 That's right. That's right. Right.
Speaker 2 00:35:37 And black is global and, you know, this platform is so much, or African-American, you know, it's like, no, because the reality of it is, is when you, and you've attended the conference for you, we have people from the Caribbean to Canada and everywhere in between. This is a, and I think we even had some folks, um, from Ghana, um, this past year. So it's one of those things where you, you know, in this space, you have to be bold and not bold because for the sake of it, you know, I don't have a chip on my shoulder at all, but it is that I've recognized to your point, um, where the opportunity, even in this space existed for us as a community of, of professionals, of advocates, makers of color, to come together. You know, I was shocked, I'm still shocked to this day that there wasn't anything like this that already existed. And, and, and maybe some things have tried and, and failed in the past, I'm not sure. But what I can say is that the reception ha has been much greater than the rejection. Um, and so that's what keeps us, keeps us going, um, and growing. And, and I'm excited about what's next, not just for our platform, but for the folks who are part of it, and the markets and the businesses and the entrepreneurs and the speakers, and all the folks who make up, um, black and cannabis. So I'm super excited.
Speaker 1 00:36:54 I, let me just say this and um, let me just give you your flowers because I'm so proud that you were unapologetic with it, um, with standing on black mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 00:37:11 <affirmative>,
Speaker 1 00:37:12 Because oftentimes it gets watered down
Speaker 2 00:37:16 All the time.
Speaker 1 00:37:17 And when we say minority mm-hmm. <affirmative>, you understand what I'm saying? Um, there are groups that are a part of that, but have not either been targeted the way that we've been targeted mm-hmm. <affirmative>, um, and or experienced what we experienced. And we know that black experience is not monolithic. Right. It's very, but it is very, especially in the US of a mm-hmm. <affirmative>, it is a specific kind of vitriol
Speaker 2 00:37:51 Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:37:52 That just goes with the blackness. And so, um, when you go to the Black Cannon Conference and when you attend an event, it is like an exhale mm-hmm. <affirmative>, you know what I mean? Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, it's very much so a space where we are having church to some degree. You know, it is really such an agree, and it is, um, an opportunity to have conversations without having the white gaze. Yeah. And without having to over explain. Right. Cause there are things that were, regardless of our social economic status mm-hmm. <affirmative> and where we have grown up black. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:38:31 If
Speaker 1 00:38:31 You, if you are in the usa, if you're in this country mm-hmm. <affirmative>, you have, you understand macro and microaggressions
Speaker 2 00:38:43 Absolutely.
Speaker 1 00:38:44 Things that you understand. So I just wanna, I just wanna salute you. I just want to, um, give you the flowers of Thank you. I know it, it's not always easy, but thank you for standing on blackness. Um, cause me like we, we have to have spaces where it's like, yeah, y'all could come, but this for us, this is Yeah. We are centered here and we, and that's so necessary. So, um, I want to thank you for that. Um, before I get you outta here, um, what do you wanna leave the people with? I know we can go to Black Hannah business, um, dot com. I know you're on LinkedIn. I know if people, I over you and holl at you, ideas and things of that nature, but what would you leave the people with
Speaker 2 00:39:35 Believe that people with, of course, all those places to connect with, with Black Canada business. But I, I want, I, I think this should be, and it's always good if you are in business, thinking about being in business have been, have been, you know, figuring out your way in this space, it, you know, take some time, you know, to really, when necessary regroup, um, and, and come back stronger and better and more focused. It's so very easy to get distracted in this space. There's so many people doing so many things, um, so many folks trying to pull you in, in a million different directions. But, um, whatever you are called to do in this space, that's, that's your space. That's, that's for you. Um, and, and never think or never believe that it's not necessary. And it doesn't matter where you are. And if whether someone else is doing something similar, you know, the work that you're doing is unique.
Speaker 2 00:40:28 Um, and you, the experience that you bring to the work that you're doing is unique. Um, so just really finding your space, being unapologetic about it. I feel like people respect you in a different way when you are steadfast in, in, in your belief as to why, you know, the work that you're doing is necessary and, and why you are the necessary person, you know, to do that work. So I'm always trying to be, you know, as encouraging as possible, because again, this is a space that is, you know, and just being black in America, period is, is enough of a challenge. But being in a space where people feel like, you know, because there's, there's allyship and then there's the opposite of allyship, and that's the folks who feel like we are looking for something for free, or, you know, we want, everybody wants a handout or, you know, we are, we aren't worthy of the same opportunities that others are because of literally the color, you know, of our skin and where we're coming from.
Speaker 2 00:41:23 Um, so I just would love to be able to encourage all of the listeners, all of the people, um, to continue the, the fight, the good fight, um, and don't give up. Um, and that's one of the things that I feel like the black can reasons platform provides, to your point, it's a safe place. Yeah. To come and to breathe and to exhale and to cuss and to spend every moment of your time talking about the things that are important to us. Not I, not a session here or there, or during the breakouts, you're trying to hurry up and get things together. I mean, everything that we do is completely dedicated to our fight, our struggles, our successes, our opportunities. And so that is what I would love to be able to leave with the people. Like, you know, hold it down, hold it down, and then at least once a year, if you can't catch us, um, this year on the tour and any of the markets that we're gonna be coming to, just note that we'll be all coming together again really, really soon. And so just hold onto it, <laugh>. So then when we get together, um, we can work it out as a community.
Speaker 1 00:42:26 Look. Um, that's it right there. I will say that, um, our celebration is also resistance. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, you know mm-hmm. <affirmative>. And, um, oftentimes we are always fighting. Yep. And we gotta do that, right? Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Um, but we also need moments of joy and we need moments where we are dreaming mm-hmm. <affirmative> and where we are envisioning and where we are planning mm-hmm. <affirmative>. And so, uh, prioritize that too, y'all. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:42:59 Prioritize
Speaker 1 00:43:00 That
Speaker 2 00:43:00 Too. Yeah. You got a plan. You can't, and it's so easy to put your head down and just drill through something. But yeah. You know, look up, you know, take a deep breath, see how far you've come, you know, um, who's come along with you, who's falling off in the wayside, whatever that is. But, you know, keep all that energy, bottle it up. Find us on the road, find us on our website or social channels. Definitely find us at the next Black Cannabis Expo in Spring 24. But in the meantime, you know, we're, find us. So that's what I believe.
Speaker 1 00:43:30 Y'all know what it is. Stay y'all.
