1. Buy from Black-Owned Local Businesses
One of the easiest ways to get involved with the Black Lives Matter movement in Madison is to buy from Black-owned businesses.
The restaurants and shops mentioned below are a few hidden gems in Madison run by Black owners and families.
It is important, especially in today’s political climate, to keep these businesses alive and thriving.
Food Recommendations:
- Just Veggiez
Just Veggiez puts a delicious, healthy twist on all of your favorite foods! All meals are plant-based and you can pre-order meals through their website.
- Curtis and Cake
Curtis and Cake specializes in handcrafted cakes and desserts. Their food will satisfy a sweet tooth and leave you in the best mood possible.
- Buraka
Buraka has some of the best Ethiopian food in the state of Wisconsin and they are known for their mix of exotic spices. Their patio is now open for outdoor dining.
- Falbo Brother’s Pizzeria
Falbo Brothers’s Pizzeria prides itself on its unique twist on pizza.
They combine New York thin crust and Chicago deep dish to create some of the most delicious pizza in Madison.
Retail Recommendations:
- True Hue Creations
True Hue Creations sells all different types of cute products from candles, to t-shirts, to candy. A lot of their merchandise advocates for feminism and the Black Lives Matter movement.
- Savanna Beauty Supply
Savanna Beauty Supply holds all of your beauty needs and wants! From hair care, to skin care, to nail care, you name it Savanna Beauty Supply has it.
- Perfect Imperfections
Perfect Imperfections specializes in hand-crafted products for the body and home. Their mission is to empower women by supplying natural, harm-free body products, and also to encourage women to appreciate life everyday.
2. Donate to Organizations Doing Black Lives Matter Work.
Each of these organizations have different missions; however, they all aid the Black community of Madison greatly.
They are specialized to assist different age categories from children to the elderly, and some focus on primarily Black men or primarily Black women.
By donating to these organizations, you are doing your part to keep the Black community of Madison thriving.
Browse the links attached above and find one you might be interested in donating to!
- 100 Black Men of Madison Inc.
This organization seeks to aid Black youth by stressing the importance of spirituality, justice, integrity, and respecting one’s family.
- Boys and Girls Club of Dane County
The Boys and Girls Club of Dane County works together with local foundations and businesses to enhance youth programs in Madison.
Bettering these programs enables kids to succeed academically, and improves both mental and physical health.
- The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness
The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness looks to improve Black women’s health by exploring the cultural, social, and economic factors that cause health risks specifically to Black women.
- Madison Black Chamber of Commerce
This organization’s goal is to help Black owned businesses in Madison grow, and prosper. They educate and advocate for these businesses in order to better the Madison community as a whole.
- Urban League of Greater Madison
Urban League of Greater Madison’s mission is to help people of color get educated and employed, and to be able to feel confident in their futures ahead. 3. Plan an Action
As simple as it may sound, planning an action is how the movement started and gained support. It is in our hands to continue these plans of action in order to keep the movement not only alive, but powerful.
Participating in a protest is a great way to take action in Madison.
Not only are you showing support for the movement, but you are also influencing others who look like you to do the same. Writing letters and emails to Dane County officials is also an easy yet effective way to take action.
We should be voicing our concerns, beliefs and ideas to our county officials because they have the power to make legislative change.
Lastly, we should be having conversations about the movement.
Educate one another by having open conversations on the different aspects of Black Lives Matter and how it is creating political and societal change for the better.
4. Vote!
Last but certainly not least, vote! If you are not already registered to vote in Wisconsin, you may register with proof of residence at any absentee voting location on campus through Friday, Oct. 30.
If you are an out-of-state student, you must obtain a voter-compliant ID card.
To get one, you should bring your Wiscard to the Wiscard Office at Union South and request one.
The Wiscard Office is still operating despite COVID-19 restrictions. Wiscard Office hours are Mondays and Thursdays 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
After this, you should register to vote online. To check if you are already registered, visit https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/ .
Some places on campus you can vote at include the UW-Madison tent on Library Mall, UW-Madison tent outside the Kohl Center and Union South.
For more information on voting at UW- Madison, visit https://vote.wisc.edu/ .
