12 BIPOC-owned Brands That Will Help You Spoil Your Furbaby

Tomorrow is National Puppy Day, which is a holiday dedicated to celebrating your favorite canine. We’ve compiled a list of 12 BIPOC pet businesses that create treats, toys, and quality food for your furry friends.

Ava’s Pet Palace - Crunchy Jerky Dog Treats 

Fourteen-year-old Ava’s dream of making healthy pet treats is finally a reality. She has products for both cats and dogs, and even makes leashes and collars. According to the reviews on her best-selling variety pack, even dogs who are picky eaters love her products! Also, Ava’s Pet Palace uses organic ingredients, so dog owners will love that as well.

Lucy & Co. - The Shark Attack Reversible Raincoat

If you’re interested in walk gear and apparel, look no further than Lucy & Co. They provide pet owners with everything they need for walks and dog apparel. Since it’s springtime and your puppy might need something to keep them dry, look into buying one of their raincoats.

Littl…
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  • March 22, 2022
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Resources for Domestic Violence Victims

Resources for Domestic Violence Victims

If you or a loved one is suffering from abuse of domestic violence please call 1(800) 799.7233

You can also text the hotline at 88788 or chat live with a person at https://www.thehotline.org. 

You are not alone, and will never be alone. 

  There is no way to make domestic violence something other that what it is. It is awful. And unfortunately, it is an experience that women and children go through at times with no fault to them. To be a victim is to be harmed by a person or situation regardless of if it’s a conscious decision or not. And no case should ever be seen as less than if the victim is consciously returning. Each case is different, but at the end of the day if someone is being mistreated whether that be verbal, physical, or mental, it is unwanted and is therefore abuse. We as a community must gather our resources …
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  • March 18, 2022
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Celebrating World Poetry Day with a World of Wonders

In honor of appreciating women in March and World Poetry Day happening on the 21st, I’ve decided to write a book review for one of my favorite poets, Aimee Nezhukumatathil.

Aimee Nezhukumatathil is an English professor at the University of Mississippi. She graduated from Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s degree in English and a Master’s in poetry and creative nonfiction. She is also an editor in the Orion magazine and has written four books, one of which was a chapbook co-written with Ross Gay. 

My love for her poetry was when I read one of the reviews posted on her website, simply titled, “Lucky Fish”. What made me want to read this was a line in her second paragraph:

“You could say that this charming and buoyant book is ‘about’ a lot of things—finding a home, love—but really, these poems point toward the importance of attentiveness as a path to joy, however fragile.”

Katrina Vandenberg, "Lucky Fish"

Because of this li…

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  • March 15, 2022
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Postpartum Support for BIPOC Mothers

Postpartum Support for BIPOC Mothers   Becoming a parent can be so hard-let’s just be honest. It is especially true for those who have never experienced it before, or for individuals who had traumatic experiences their first time around. It’s a lot! It’s the overwhelming thought of, “what should I expect?", but often, we don’t think enough about the unexpected. Mostly because, well, how do you even begin to anticipate what you don’t know. That is why having support is so vital to new mothers and parents.  Apart from the painful and unnecessary changes that occur to the body, there is also risk of developing temporary or permanent mental illness. Nobody ever really wants to say it, having negative thoughts during or after pregnancy are so frowned upon, yet they’re so common. Postpartum depression affects many, and without taking care of yourself, watching over a newborn will only be that much harder. So please, if you are a pregnant person, reach out.    Mae…
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  • March 11, 2022
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13 Women’s Social Justice Organizations That #BreakTheBias

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is “Break the Bias,” which unpacks gender bias and discrimination within our society.

This global holiday celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. So, for International Women’s Day, we’re showcasing women’s organizations that are breaking the cycle of sexism and discrimination.

1. Black Mamas Matter Alliance

Their mission is simple: Give Black mothers equal rights and resources to help them before, during, and after their pregnancy. Unfortunately, Black mothers face the most discrimination when wanting to access maternal health care, which can lead to many complications for the mother. Luckily, this organization is using political action to fight against this. 

2. National Latina Institute for Reproductive Injustice

Similar to Black Mamas Matter Alliance, this nonprofit fights for fundamental reproductive rights, respect, and justice for…

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  • March 8, 2022
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Bringing in Women’s History Month: Supporting Trans Women

"All of us are put in boxes by our family, by our religion, by our society, our moment in history, even our own bodies. Some people have the courage to break free." — Geena Rocero   Nobody could have said it better than Geena Rocero, and this particular quote is especially fitting as we move into March 2022. This year, Women’s History Month has the honor of surrounding itself around the theme “breaking the barrier”, and it is no secret just how difficult that can be. In light of the legislative situations occurring in Texas, it is of utmost importance to express how crucial it is to support our fellow women, and the trans community as a whole. It is unbearable to watch, but there is hope that these resources may possibly help trans women this month, or any loved ones that you may have in need of assistance.     Organizations -Trans Lifeline Trans Lifeline is a non-profit hotline that offers direct emotional and financial support to trans people in cris…
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  • March 4, 2022
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4 Ways to Be an Advocate for Women of Color

Women’s History Month is finally here! This month is dedicated to the often-overlooked accomplishments women have done in the United States.

Today, women of color are making history by creating their own businesses, speaking at events, and taking space in male-dominated fields. Here are some ways you can support and acknowledge their accomplishments:

Listen to Podcasts

There are so many female-led podcasts that can impact everyone.

The first is, “Girls That Invest,” hosted by Sim and Sonya. Investing can be intimidating, especially when business and finance are male-oriented subjects. But, Sim and Sonya create a safe space for women to learn about topics like investments, personal finance, and Bitcoin. 

Another podcast to check out is “Lessons from a Quitter,” by Goli Kalkhoran. Kalkhoran ended up quitting her job as a lawyer and started “Lessons from a Quitter” in 2018 to help people who want to start a new career path, but …

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  • March 1, 2022
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Black Poets Whose Work Is a Must Read

Black Poets Whose Work Is a Must Read    This goes out to every person who has a soft spot in their heart for writing and the complexities (sometimes not) of poetry. The voice of a person is a lens to their world, which is why you must add the following collections of poems to your TBR list! And hey, we all know that buying books isn’t always in the budget, so among these are links to poems that are accessible for free with Soundcloud play bars in case you would rather listen! Let’s get to reading!   “Thriller Night” by Ayokunle Falmo In this piece, Falmo writes about the speaker and his two friends (all of which are Nigerian) encountering police outside of a house. As a reader, the interaction is full of fear and hesitation about what will happen. However, in the end, the poem relieves readers with a beautiful last line- a complete MUST read.  https://theadroitjournal.org/issue-forty-ayokunle-falomo/    Don’t Call Us Dead by Danez Smith …
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  • February 25, 2022
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Drink Up, It’s National Margarita Day!

Hey Alexa, play “Tequila”

The margarita – made with triple sec, tequila, and lime juice – is celebrated every February 22 for National Margarita Day. Invented in Mexico in the 1930s, margaritas are one of the most consumed alcoholic beverages in the U.S. 

This fruity and intoxicating drink comes in every flavor imaginable, and luckily there are many companies that create prepared ones for us to enjoy. 

Rancho La Gloria

Carlos “Danny” Herrera created his company, Rancho La Gloria, in Tijuana, México in 1938. After learning that one of his customers, Marjorie King, was allergic to spirits, Herrera decided to create a drink named after her. Instead of using spirits, he used tequila, and thus the margarita was born. 

Today, Rancho La Gloria creates ready-to-make margarita mixes. These drinks come in classic flavors like strawberry and lime, as well as popsicles and canned cocktails for portable (and responsible) fun. <…

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  • February 22, 2022
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A Few Resources to Help Celebrate Black History Month

“Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.” —Dr. Mae Jemison, first African-American female astronaut   Black History Month At times it can be jarring to see the way in which we as a society become more accepting and knowledgeable only to take seven steps back. This is to say that it is unfathomable to see schools, companies, and communities censoring and removing curriculum that deals with the foundational injustices of Black History. There is no justification- no explanation that can be given by anybody to excuse this removal on the basis of it being uncomfortable or graphic. It is fact. And every sacrifice and achievement is deserving of acknowledgement, protection, and celebration.    This is why we celebrate Black History Month. We must, without exception, acknowledge the courage and will power that it took for black ancestors to fight through the torturous treatment of those who stole them from their given life. There must be ack…
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  • February 18, 2022
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