CLEO WADE HOSTS NEW ORLEANS DINNER CELEBRATING THE BUY FROM A BLACK WOMAN INSPIRE TOUR PRESENTED BY H&M

NEW YORK, July 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- H&M USA and Buy From A Black Woman kicked off the start of the non-profit's 2022 Inspire Tour in New Orleans with a celebratory dinner hosted by artist, poet, activist, and author Cleo Wade. Preceded by a special screening of BFABW's new documentary, "The Story Behind A Black Woman", the dinner was followed the next day by the tour's first pop up at H&M's French Quarter location, which highlighted Black Woman owned businesses from all over the country.

On June 30^th, H&M and non-profit Buy From a Black Woman celebrated the start of their 2022 Inspire Tour ,now in its second year, in New Orleans, Louisiana.  The evening began with a special screening of the non-profit's new documentary "The Story Behind a Black Woman" at New Orleans' WB Collective in the heart of the Warehouse Arts District.  The film examines Founder Nikki Porcher, the background of her creation of the non-profit as well as its incredible effect on Black Woman business owners operating in a world where they may not always be seen.  Following the screening, guests were led by a classic New Orleans brass band to a dinner at Calcasieu, hosted by Cleo Wade, in celebration of the start of the Inspire Tour the following day in H&M's French Quarter location at 418 N Peters St.

"As a New Orleans native, its so special to me to be supporting Buy From a Black Woman and the kick off to their Inspire Tour 2022 here in the Crescent City," says Wade.  "I'm inspired by the work Nikki Porcher and the organization has done in empowering Black Woman business owners, and I look forward to continuing my work with them this year."

The Buy From a Black Woman Inspire Tour is a series of pop-up shopping events across 12 U.S. cities, highlighting local Black Woman owned businesses and providing them options in a world that limits their voices.  July 1^st marks the beginning of the Inspire Tour in New Orleans.  On July 1^st and 2^nd, customers are able to shop from vendors such as including Perfectly Cordial, Flyest, Stepstitches, Taupe Coat, Oasis Soul Scent Co., Dirt Don't Hurt, Kindred Paper Company, Kate Lynn & Adwoa, Conditionher, Mlp Media and Lamik Beauty. Products range from skincare, wellness, stationary and more.

"I've often said that Buy From A Black Woman brings Black Women into spaces that we never thought we could imagine, but that is not true," says Nikki Porcher, Founder of Buy From A Black Woman. "The Buy From A Black Woman Inspire Tour has proved that wrong. Black Women do imagine these spaces, we just do not often get the chance that we deserve as there are people who believe Black Women do not belong in certain spaces. That is why this partnership with H&M is such a valuable one. H&M is one of the few companies that continues to stand up and show their support to Black Women Business Owners. H&M gave Black Women space. We live in a country that uses Black Women as examples without ever admitting how inspired they are by the way that we, Black Women, are living.  Black Women are the Living Examples and I am excited to travel the country and showcase all the things that we can do."

Events in New Orleans, Dallas, Oakland, Detroit, Milwaukee and Memphis will be hosted in H&M stores where customers can meet and shop from local vendors. A variety of businesses will be featured, ranging from skincare, stationary, to home accessories and more.  Many of those featured support additional causes, standing true to Buy From A Black Woman's motto, "When you support a Black Woman Business Owner, you support a whole community."

"We thank Cleo Wade for joining us to host tonight's joyous dinner. We appreciate her taking the time to lend her support and her voice to our celebration of Buy From a Black Woman and the start of the Inspire Tour 2022," says Donna Dozier Gordon, Head of Inclusion and Diversity for H&M Americas.  "We continue to be proud of the partnership we've forged with Buy From a Black Woman which exemplifies our commitment to meaningful community engagement."

For images from the screening / dinner, click here.

To watch "The Story Behind a Black Woman", click here.

For a full list of Inspire Tour stops, click here.

For more information on Buy From a Black Woman please contact:

Nikki Porcher, Founder
Email: [email protected]
Customers can also donate here.
Support and Discover Businesses Owned and Operated by Black Women here.

For more information on H&M please contact:

H&M Media Relations
Email: [email protected]
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H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB (publ) was founded in Sweden in 1947 and is quoted on Nasdaq Stockholm. H&M's business idea is to offer fashion and quality at the best price in a sustainable way. In addition to H&M, the group includes the brands COS, Monki, Weekday, & Other Stories, H&M HOME and ARKET as well as Afound. For further information, visit hmgroup.com.   

SOURCE H&M