SAN ANTONIO — Instagram users awoke to black squares on their timelines with the hashtag #BlackoutTuesday.
RELATED: Blackout Day 2020 movement encourages supporters to use 'economic power' to fight racial injustice
The social media movement was the lastest of many in a show of support for the black community following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25.
In a now-viral video, Floyd was seen gasping for air as former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for an extended period of time. Floyd could be heard in the video saying, "I can't breathe" multiple times before he ultimately passed away while under Chauvin.
An independent autopsy showed that Floyd's death was caused by "asphyxia due to neck and back compression."
Chauvin has since been fired from the Minneapolis Police Department, arrested, and charged with first-degree murder.
In the week since Floyd's death, there has been a surge of interest in ways that people can support the black community.
There have been protests and riots in major cities across the country, including right here in the Alamo City.
People have also taken to social media to share their outrage with not only Floyd's death or the recent deaths of Breonna Taylor and Ahmed Aubrey, but with the racial inequality that currently exists and to show their support for members of the black community.
Whether it's a quote, a photo, or a hashtag #blacklivesmatter (there have been more than 16 million posts on Instagram bearing the hashtag today alone*), it's clear that social media users are trying to find ways to offer their support.
*Note: Why you shouldn't be using the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter on Blackout Tuesday: Blackout Tuesday activists are asking you not misuse the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag
And while messages and social medial posts are one way to show support, so is taking action.
This action can take many forms, speaking out against injustice in your everyday life; recognizing the privilege that you benefit from; having an open conversation with your family, friends, strangers about the injustices and inequality that exists and how to effect change; educating yourself on all that has occurred to where we are today.
Action can also include making a conscious effort to support local black-owned businesses within your community.
In an effort to make this more than just a hashtag, we have compiled a list of businesses and non-profits that are owned by black men and women within the San Antonio community:
Automotive Shop
Bakery
Barbershops
Beauty Services & Salons
Churches/Houses of Worship
Cleaning Services
- Affordable Window Washing Service (Window Washing Services)
- CleanIt210 (Home & Office Cleaning Services)
- Pit Crew Grill Cleaning Service (Cleaning Services)
Daycare Services
Development
Events
- Ashley Evans Portraits
- Jump with Joe (Bouncehouse Rentals)
- Magical Sleepovers SA (Slumber Party & Glamping Event Planning)
- Timeless Event Planning
Food/Restaurants
- Brooks BBQ & More (BBQ Restaurant)
- Chatman's Chicken (Fast Food Restaurant/Chicken Joint)
- Little Jamaica Foods Bar & Grill (Jamaican Restaurant)
- Ma Harpers Creole Kitchen (Cajun & Creole Restaurant)
- Mama's Gumbo (Cajun Restaurant)
- Mark's Outing (Made-to-Order Burgers)
- Old Smokehouse (BBQ Restaurant)
- The Big Bib BBQ (Barbecue Restaurant)
- The Nutrition Shack SA (Health Food Restaurant)
- Tony G's Soul Food (Soul Food Restaurant)
- The Friendly Spot Ice House (Pub/Restaurant/Beer Garden)
Funeral Homes
Landscaping
Nonprofit Organizations
- The Jacqueline Smith Foundation's Military Outreach Program
- Kingdom Business Women's Ministry (provides assistance to low-income families in need)
- San Antonio for Growth on the Eastside
Public Relations/Advertising
- Avista Products (Advertising Agency)
- ECHU Public Relations
- L&M Fruitful Minds Enterprise (provides assistance to small business owners)
Shopping
- Fashion Favor Boutique
- Gold Diamond's Boutique
- Klassi Kouture (Online Boutique)
- Sparkle's Wax Melts (Hand-crafted Wax Melts)
- Xtraordinary Gentleman (Men's Apparel)
For more complete lists & resources, visit the following:
Alamo City Black Chamber of Commerce (The Chamber has compiled a list of local black-owned businesses)
Blackbook Directory and Yearbook (Carl Booker's company puts out the Blackbook Directory and Yearbook annually. The directory not only lists black-owned businesses, which are then broken down by category but also showcases black leaders in the community.)
Black Business Directory San Antonio (This directory has more than 500 businesses listed.)
Thank you to all of the San Antonio community members that assisted with the creation of this list, whether it was reaching out to your personal network or sending in your recommendations, or just sharing your favorite places to go.
