On Feb. 28, 2025, an electrifying on-line dialogue came about between monetary scholar Dr. Boyce Watkins and filmmaker Dr. Ric Mathis as they unpacked the themes of B1 The Film, a movie devoted to shifting the Black group towards self-sufficiency, financial empowerment, and unity. The dialog, captured in an unique audio recording, laid the muse for a robust name to motion, one centered on constructing a “B1 tradition” the place prioritizing Black pursuits isn’t just a pattern however a lifestyle. See Episodes of the movie on B1TheExperience.com. Dr. Mathis, an award-winning filmmaker recognized for tackling points that affect the Black group, shared his imaginative and prescient for B1 The Film. He emphasised how media and consumerism form Black identification and the necessity for possession in each areas. “This movie is about extra than simply consciousness, it’s about altering behaviors,” Mathis defined. “We’ve got to create techniques that uplift us and cease feeding into those that oppress us.”
From financial energy to well being consciousness
The dialogue took a deeply private flip when Mathis opened up about his latest well being scare, which impressed his upcoming documentary collection, Heartbeat. This new venture will delve into the affect of coronary heart illness throughout the Black group, underscoring the significance of holistic well being, Black love, and communal help within the therapeutic course of.
“Well being is wealth, and with out it, all of the financial empowerment on this planet gained’t matter,” Mathis stated. “We’ve got to deal with ourselves and one another, mentally, bodily, and financially.” The message was clear: a self-sufficient Black group begins with robust people who prioritize each their monetary well-being and their well being.
Strategizing for the upcoming financial blackouts
A significant focus of the dialogue was the upcoming financial blackouts, a strategic initiative designed to flex the group’s collective buying energy. The aim is easy: redirect Black {dollars} away from companies that fail to reinvest in Black communities and as an alternative flow into wealth inside Black-owned companies.
Dr. Watkins and Mathis outlined a collection of financial actions main as much as the following full-scale blackout:
Feb. 28 – Full financial blackout (a check run)
March 7-14 – Amazon Blackout (boycott purchases from Amazon)
March 21-28 – Nestlé Blackout (boycott Nestlé merchandise)
April 7-14 – Walmart Blackout (boycott Walmart shops and on-line procuring)
April 18 – Full financial blackout (main day of motion)
April 21-27 – Basic Mills Blackout (boycott Basic Mills merchandise)
The blackouts are designed to focus on the facility of the Black greenback whereas encouraging long-term help of Black companies. Dr. Watkins careworn that these initiatives shouldn’t be non permanent protests however everlasting life-style modifications.
Subsequent steps: Motion, schooling and group help
To maintain the momentum going, Mathis and Watkins urged contributors to:
Educate themselves on Black-owned alternate options to the businesses being boycotted.
Unfold consciousness by utilizing social media to share blackout dates and the significance of financial self-reliance.
Help Black-owned companies constantly, not simply throughout boycotts.
Have interaction in native and on-line discussions about wealth-building methods.
As B1 The Film continues to realize traction, and with Heartbeat set to shift the narrative on Black well being and therapeutic, this dialog was extra than simply an interview, it was a battle cry for Black empowerment. Each Mathis and Watkins made it clear: actual change comes when collective motion turns into a lifestyle.
Keep linked at B1TheExperience.com for extra updates on these movies, the financial blackouts, and methods to be a part of the B1 motion. The time to take motion is now.
