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ACCELERATE LITE / JULY 2020
What were some of the frustrations that led to you starting The Nile List?
Finding black-owned businesses was difficult and I wanted
to streamline the process.
In addition to that, I wanted
to address the negative stereotypes and connotations that surround black businesses. For a long time, I’ve felt that I have a part to play in changing that mentality. Black-owned companies, like any other good company, offer exceptional customer service and good quality shopping experiences.
I also want to widen the scope people have of black-owned businesses. Oftentimes, people don’t associate black businesses with industries such as furniture, paint, and other manufacturing businesses.
What are some of the similarities between The Nile List and The Negro Motorist Green Book?
It is an attempt to make
the shopping experience transparent and to give businesses validation and verification. We have a proper review system and offer detailed contact information for each of our listed businesses. Similar to the original Green Book, we have created a system where people can find specific things from specific companies, and can get a strong sense of the business before making a purchase.
We let people buy black with the best possible information.
Our target audience is black people but we also cater to other communities who are supportive of our community.
Why is your business relevant during these times?
When black people become “too” prominent or wealthy, it’s a trigger for white violence. There is a reason why black businesses have attracted push backs
and racism and that’s because enterprise is a means through which a community can lift itself up. History tells us so. You can see this in what happened in Tulsa, Oklahoma in the 1920s.
It is only right to think of investing in and growing black businesses because it is fundamental to our progression. Whatever role any of us can play, no matter how small, we should.
What is The Nile List’s primary narrative? Quite simply, it’s “we know someone black who makes that”. That’s our slogan.
We have a strong desire
to showcase people’s daily purchases don’t have to be made outside of the community and that you’ll get good quality.
Is there anything that makes Nile radical? Normalising blackness and black things. That is radical even in 2020.
If you think about it, “black” is always “other” while “white” is normal or the standard baseline. Black is viewed as extra or
different. The Nile List is working hard to normalise blackness. Though we want to maintain our uniqueness and culture but we don’t want to walk around feeling like “other”.
How can businesses join The Nile List community? Very easily. Go to our site.
Click on register and follow
the prompts. It will take only
a few minutes. The only
major requirement is that
your products are available to purchase online. Our website is www.thenilelist.com.
Based on your experience, what is one thing black business owners need to do more of?
There needs to be consolidation amongst black business owners who operate in the same spaces or industries. This will ultimately lead to economies of scale which eventually will drive down the cost of operations, and ultimately make products and some services more affordable. Working together will facilitate buying and prevent companies from constantly reinventing the wheel.
I also suggest collaborating where and when you can and sharing co-working spaces.
Lastly, we need to strengthen our networks. Many black people in the U.S. are isolated. And successful black people are far and few in between.
To read Khadijah’s full interview, visit acceleratetv.com.
PAGE 24 INSIDE ACCESS | JULY 2020 2ND EDITION