Our mission is rooted in the belief that:
1. You have something magical inside that you are meant to bring to the world.
2. As you do number 1, the world becomes a better place. 

Our work is dedicated to unlocking the doors of business and entrepreneurship to help you make it happen.

Injustice, racism, white supremacy, patriarchy, homophobia, and other exploitative systems stand directly against our mission.

Long before the murder of George Floyd, I was always shocked and heart-broken to hear about the murder of Black people by the police. I naively believed these instances of police brutality were isolated incidents or mistakes. It was only in the wake of Summer 2020’s uprisings that I woke up and realized police brutality is not a mistake. It is America’s white supremacist and racist system functioning exactly as it was designed to. I learned that not only is it impossible to expect the oppressor’s violent behavior to stop without a full deconstruction of systemic racism in America, but that by standing by and hoping for someone else to take care of the problem, I was one of the people upholding white supremacy in my thoughts, actions, and work. I recognize that to even have the option to stand aside, hoping that someone else might fix the problem is because of my white privilege. 

As the founder of Emma Natter LLC, I am committed to rooting out exploitative beliefs, behaviors, and practices at every level of myself and my business. Rooting out exploitation extends beyond white supremacy, but white supremacy is where it begins. 

Here are the ways that my business has upheld white supremacy:

Business Vision
-Submitting to a hierarchical belief of power, profits, aesthetics, and success.

Paid Programs
-Showcasing all (or almost all) white businesses as examples in The Aesthetic Way

-Encouraging students to mimic a white aesthetic in their journey to find their voice in The Aesthetic Way

-Looking exclusively to white artists (often looked to as “masters”) accepted into the canon for artistic inspiration in The Aesthetic Way. (Writing Workshop Reformer, Felicia Rose Chavez calls out the use of the word “master” in her book The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop, saying, “the imperialist dichotomy of novice/master (and its swift subliminal substitution, slave/master) translates to one who is dependent on, and controlled by, the other; one who is forced into a pretense of obedience in order to maintain self-preservation” 28.)

-Not providing resources to support the unique struggles of building a business as a BIPOC individual

Marketing
-Showcasing a majority of white-presenting models in my imagery

-Partnering with a majority of white-presenting businesses in collaborations

Community
-Until recently, not offering financial resources for BIPOC creatives

-Not hosting conversations about fighting for racial justice on my platforms

-Not hosting conversations about the unique struggles of building a business as a BIPOC individual

I acknowledge that being able to build a business thus far without having to face this is a product of my white privilege.

I do not want to support a system that suppresses certain groups while others profit. I am only interested in a world where all flourishing is mutual, equitable, and equal.

While it is not a comfortable process to unlearn the racist mindset and behavior I inherited and unknowingly adopted, rooting out white supremacist practices has been one of the most life-giving processes I’ve ever experienced, and I look forward to more opportunities as I continue my growth as an individual and as as business. Here’s what I’ve done so far:

Previous

Previous

Business Vision
Believing in a hierarchical model of power, aesthetics, profits, and success.

Paid Programs
-Showcasing all (or almost all) white businesses as examples

-Encouraging students to mimic a white aesthetic in their journey to find their voice

-Looking exclusively to white artists accepted into the canon for artistic inspiration

-Not providing resources to support the unique struggles of building a business as a BIPOC individual

Marketing
-Showcasing a majority of white-presenting models in my imagery

-Partnering with a majority of white-presenting businesses in collaborations

Community
-Not offering financial and other resources for BIPOC creatives
Not hosting conversations about fighting for racial justice on my platforms

-Not hosting conversations about the unique struggles of building a business as a BIPOC individual

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Current

Business Vision
-Hiring a DEI consultant so that equality and equity are woven into the fabric of Emma Natter LLC.

-Believing in a radically collaborative model of power, profits, aesthetics and success. That “all flourishing is mutual.” (19 Braiding Sweetgrass Robin Wall Kimmerer)

Paid Programs
-In lectures and my new curriculum, The Creator’s Pilgrimage, over half of the resources, examples, and texts draw from BIPOC creators.

-Encouraging students to follow the trail of what inspires them instead of looking exclusively to white artists, especially in The Coaching Table and in The Common Room

Marketing
-Hiring a DEI consultant

-Hiring a Black independent contractor to assist with marketing strategies and content calendar so that equality and equity are woven into the fabric of Emma Natter LLC.

Community
-Offering a 50% scholarship for all BIPOC business owners

-Scholarship fund to provide 100% scholarship opportunities at EN School of Creative Entrepreneurship for BIPOC business owners

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Coming

Business Vision
-Sharing a vision of a radically collaborative model of power, profits, aesthetics and success. That “all flourishing is mutual.” (19 Braiding Sweetgrass Robin Wall Kimmerer)

-Quarterly updates to stay accountableon all of our anti-racist work

Paid Programs
-Showcasing at least 50% BIPOC businesses and artists when sharing The Aesthetic Way curriculum examples

-Encouraging students to follow the trail of what inspires them instead of looking exclusively to white artists.

-Curating tools, mindset shifts, and ideas from successful BIPOC business owners to support the unique struggles of building a business as a BIPOC individual

Marketing
-Showcasing at least 50% BIPOC models in my imagery

-Supporting BIPOC owned businesses weekly by showcasing their work on Instagram

-Partnering with at least 25% BIPOC businesses in collaborations

Community
-Hosting conversations to support white people in fighting for racial justice on Instagram 

-Highlighting resources from diverse places in my newsletter and other content

-Curating and sharing BIPOC conversations about overcoming the unique struggles of building a business as a BIPOC individual

Again, the work of being anti-racist and anti-white supremacy is ongoing. I look forward to continuing to do the work.

Are you wanting to take a bigger stand in the cultivation of racial justice? 

Do you want help learning how to integrate this into your business?

My consultant, Gabrielle, said a few months into working together, “I wish white people would talk about racism more with each other so I don’t have to keep talking to white people about it.” She also told me, “We need more people to do this work.” I invite you to join me, especially if  you don't know how the very foundation of your business could contribute to the cause.

Here are some of the incredible resources I’ve read, watched, or listened to recently that have informed my work in Anti-Racism:

READ:

(All books are linked to bookshop.org, an organization that supports local, independent bookstores. I am not affiliated with this shop and will receive no commission if you choose to purchase. What is powerful about this site is that you can specifically choose which bookstore will take the profits from your purchase. Please choose a Black owned bookstore from this list of 125 Black owned bookstores across America.)

Between the World and Me, Ta-Nehisi-Coates
“The Case for Reparations” Ta-Nehisi Coates, The Atlantic
Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad
African Europeans by Olivette Otele
“Was Queen Charlotte Black? Here’s what we know.” The Washington Post by DeNeen L. Brown
The Combahee River Collective Statement, Combahee River Collective
The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop: How to Decolonize the Creative Classroom by Felicia Rose Chavez
Decolonizing Mormonism by Gina Colvin and Joanna Brooks
Mormonism and White Supremacy by Joanna Brooks
We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers
Cassandra Speaks by Elizabeth Lesser

WATCH:

Kehinde Wiley: An Economy of Grace 
This is Us (season 5)
Self-Made

LISTEN:

American Origin Stories: Black History (Un)Told hosted by Cha
Hello Seven Podcast hosted by Rachel Rodgers
Beyond the Block hosted by Brother Jones and Brother Knox
The Life of Jane Madding James with Quincy Newell, episode from The Maxwell Institute Podcast

OTHER:

The Great Unlearn (Donation Based Community Learning) by Rachel Cargle 
Studio Ione (I hired for DEI consulting and marketing) Gabrielle Ione Hickmon, Founder 
@cottagecoreblackfolks Instagram account
@eliana.chinea Instagram account
@buyfromablackwoman Instagram account
@blackwomeninluxury Instagram account
@trevornoah Instagram account
@officialblackwallstreet Instagram account


PLACES TO CONTRIBUTE TO BLACK ENTREPRENEURS:

Buy From a Black Woman - Buy from a Black Woman ensures that Black Women have the tools and resources that will allow them to be successful. Through educational programs, an online directory, and funding, Buy from a Black Woman continues to grow as a trusted resource that helps Black Women in business.

Black Girl Ventures Foundation - They're dedicated to offering comprehensive education and advisory services that outline a road map for the growth and success of minority and/or veteran women entrepreneurs.

Black Founders - They're creating an ecosystem that stimulates tech entrepreneurship and fosters economic growth. They develop global programs that equip entrepreneurs, inspire innovation, and allow them to share resources.

Backstage Capital - They invest in underrepresented founders through funding and accelerator programs.

The Black upStart - They teach aspiring Black entrepreneurs how to start a successful and profitable business through an intense, culturally-relevant popup school.

EN School of Creative Entrepreneurship BIPOC Creative Scholarship fund - We'll match whatever you raise and put it all toward tuition for BIPOC creatives at the EN School of Creative Entrepreneurship. 

If you want someone to walk you through this process of becoming an anti-racist business, who understands the creative heart, will hold space for you as you do uncomfortable work, and yet challenge you to become the best version of yourself, I can’t recommend enough the consulting services of Gabrielle Ione Hickmon. She will help you figure out how to join in the dismantling of white supremacy in the way you’re meant to.