I've started a collective on IG for Florists of Color!
Over 10 years ago, I called for floral design sustainability in one of my first blog posts and have never stopped. I haven't stopped focusing on how my business could be the most sustainable while sharing my methods and ideas with others thru education, workshops, shared images and of course thru my designs. A lot of headway has been made in the sustainable living arena, and I'm now just one of many who talk on this subject when it comes to flowers! (We still have a lot of work to do, but it has improved!)
What I have realized time and time again is that I am treated differently because of my skin color or perceived social status. And although I have great confidence and experience, I know that my experience and my lens can be informative and possibly life-changing for someone else if I were to share it. So, I started a new IG page called Florists Of Color.
I'm hoping that by reaching out to other florists who deem themselves people of color who work with flowers, we can collectively share our experiences, our flower design and give some insight into how race and ethnicity, racism and stereotypes, culture and language, and privilege and other social constructs may have an effect on how we do business or maybe even how we design.
If that is something that interests you, please give us a follow. If you are a person of color, please follow. If you are not a person of color but would like to learn more about our experience (learning about and connecting with others who are different actually increases empathy and helps create change), please please follow.
I look forward to sharing more on Instagram @floristsofcolor
Pilar