Mm, mm, good. I like to sip it, and I love to serve it because BE keeps me and those in my company hydrated.

What is B.E., you ask? BE is an acronym for Black Excellence. I am BE and my flavor tastes a lot like Limeade, as composed by Nick Shekeryk.

Shekeryk is the Content Marketing Manager at Limeade and author of a very insightful article titled: “7 Ways to Celebrate Black Excellence in the Workplace,” for anyone and everyone who is curious. I’ve penned at least two stories on this site, of White men who have approached me with verbs and deeds to specifically assure me that BLACK LIVES MATTER. I was taken aback.

Both men felt a need to express to me that “they do not support the racial social tenement of the day.” Jeff commented, “I wish there was something more that I could do to help…” Honestly, he’d done enough for one man of any race — that I didn’t know. We actually ended our run-in with a physical embrace at the height of Covid. What more could we do?

Their query and plea, “how can I help and I want to do more,” has been repeated by many of my white neighbors and colleagues. It’s a good question and stems of good intentions. But what more can a white American do to slow down the racial run-away train that’s doing donuts on our country? That’s where Nick comes in with the Limeade on Black Excellence and how to celebrate it in the workplace and spark some seriously beneficial domestic inference, including the power to normalize cultures.

Enter stage right – Limeade with the Juice:

1. Support Black-Owned Businesses. Great customer service should not be a mystery or a secret – buddy up with a friend (in person or online) and drop in on TELFAR, Glow by Daye, DareDollz or any Black business that suits your style of want or need. Shekeryk suggests

• To find shops near you drop in on Spendefy and Support Black Owned.
• Visit We Buy Black is an online marketplaces for Black-owned businesses.
• EatOkra is a mobile guide to Black-owned restaurants near you.
• Official Black Wall Street is an app with push notifications to alert you when new Black-owned shops are established in your geography.

2. Discover local and national Black history. Okay, you’ve already met me, so you are well on your way to learning oodles of Black history, starting with Griot formats that resonate from the origins of early West African linguistics. Today there are many ways to learn about local and national Black history online. Shekeryk recommends that you drop in on:

• Museums. Many museums teach us about Black history, art and culture. Here’s a directory of all the African American museums in the U.S.
• Black Past is a 6,000-page reference center dedicated to providing information on Black history and African ancestry throughout the world.
• The National Archives’ African American Heritage center has tons of great resources to explore, including information on Black Power and a Guide to Black History.
• Interested in stats? Check out the U.S. Census Bureau’s fact sheet to learn about the Black population in America.

3. Learn about important Black organizations.

Shekeryk says, the most prominent ones may help you understand how to offer better support to your Black employees and your local Black community.

• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) defends the equality of rights to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensures the health and well-being of all people. Check out your local NAACP chapter.
• National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering the Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) communities, including people living with HIV or AIDS.
• National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) is dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining Black communities through entrepreneurship and capitalistic activity in the U.S. and through interactions related to the African Diaspora.
• National Urban League is a historic civil rights and urban advocacy organization with direct services that improve the lives of nearly 2 million people nationwide.
• Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) promotes, studies, preserves, interprets and disseminates information about Black life, history and culture.

4. Volunteer your services and donate to organizations in Black communities. The following organizations offer support that builds strength in Black communities:

• GuideStar provides a vast network of searchable nonprofits that serve Black communities.
• Black Girls Code offers classes, programs and resources that equip women and girls of color with the tools to build successful careers in the tech industry.
• 100 Black Men of America is a mentorship program that teaches Black youth about the importance being agents of positivity in their communities.
• You can also start your own social giving campaign and encourage employees to donate funds to an organization that supports Black excellence in your community. 

5. Promote Black art and entertainment!! Hello! This is exactly what QuiWho.com is serving; entertainment. Shekeryk suggests seeking out the works of Black creators and Black culture in your workplace conversations about films, websites, shows, music, books and podcasts then considering supporting one or many of them, if you have not already.

6. Attend Black-centric events. Remember the Essence Festival and VHI Hip Hop Awards? Well, they are somewhat still on hold due to Covid and evolution, so now is a great time to look into virtual events that celebrate Black culture and get familiar.

7. Recognize Black innovators and innovations. Black inventions have revolutionized everyday life. Highlight the accomplishments of the greatest Black minds in American history and ensure their stories are heard throughout your organization.  

I insist on the sweetness of a civil-and-kind reality shine.
Let us both take life’s test and respect each others mind.

We all make lemonade out of lemons and
Limeade out of limes.
Though for the blood of my ancestor’s
who were sold by day slave traders —
Raspberry is what I call mine.

Isn’t it high time that we all live life better?
History brought me here, so slavery is no-forgetter.

Racism is America’s ugly sweater — please take that off.
Lest we continue to fracture and our country is the cost.

No one ever needs be another man’s boss.
We either work together on Humanity or we all pay the cost.

You, me, our collective good… a casualty loss.
Our blood will wash away and be replaced by moss

and the world would be new again.
Every man who survives, will call the other kin.

Don’t force Earth to start over again. Look to the Heavens and re-con our day.
Please read slow this purposeful Griot — that is my Raspberry Limeade.

I wanted to put it on the palate of your tongue and into your head.
I’m Qui
Serving up something better than tea — I serve Black Excellence.

Together we can change things up and win.
If you’re open to evolve, I’d love to call you friend.

TASTE IT.

Raspberry Limeade RECIPE: Food Network