Marie Ernst

Sometimes in business, you’ve got to make a quick pivot. While working on the logistics of our pre-order campaign, I wanted to create some additional revenue opportunities for Marie Ernst®.

In what may be the most important political election season of my lifetime, I’ve designed a variety of Kamala Malz T-shirts, with a portion of the proceeds donated toward the Kamala Malz campaign.

I wanted to do my part to raise awareness for political issues I’m passionate about, including a woman’s right to choose, and a woman’s right to vote.

I also wanted to inform people that MISSISSIPPI didn’t ratify a WOMAN’S RIGHT TO VOTE until MARCH 22, 1984. I also have a very active creative mind, and this allows me to get the thoughts out of my head and bring my creativity to life.

The idea of designing T-shirts was inspired by a story I read about the early days of Airbnb back then, co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky faced multiple rejections from investors while pitching the business. Desperate for funds, they had to come up with a creative solution to keep their dream alive.

Here’s what they did: When Airbnb launched in 2008, they saw a surge in demand during the Republican and Democratic national conventions. But after the conventions, demand dropped sharply.

In a bold move, the founders decided to take advantage of the political climate by designing and selling cereal boxes featuring then-presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain.

That quick pivot earned them around $30,000, which they used to fund Airbnb’s operations and keep the business afloat.

I’m hoping to follow a similar path by generating additional revenue for Marie Ernst® to generate some extra revenue before the November election to keep our democracy intact. Hey, you never know unless you try, and I go all out to keep my company Marie Ernst® moving forward.

These T-shirts are currently available at our TikTok Shop with more designs to come that are still taking up space in my head without paying rent. My thoughts and ideas must think my brain is their own personal Airbnb.

Anyway, these are some of the current designs with more to come. Let me know what you think. I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback! Have a great day!

Check out Marie Ernst’s shop on TikTok! https://vt.tiktok.com/ZTFkSLTHU/?page=TikTokShop

Dear Facebook Family,

I recently wrote a post on mental health, and since some time has passed, I wanted to share my experience where seeking support for my severe depression unexpectedly made things worse. Which is why I need your help sharing my story.

Common advice suggests that it’s important to reach out for help with mental health issues. However, when I finally sought help, I was not met with open arms or the support I needed; instead, I faced admonishment and criticism.

This response mirrors the broader challenges many Black men, like myself, encounter in seeking mental health support. It's clear why many of us hesitate to seek help. Who wants to be scolded for asking for assistance? My experience highlights the pervasive stigma and misunderstanding surrounding mental health both within and outside our community.

Statistics show that fewer than 10% of Black Americans receive mental health counseling or treatment, despite experiencing high levels of emotional distress. This stark underrepresentation in mental health care usage is compounded by the challenges of stigma, limited access to culturally competent care, and economic barriers that disproportionately affect Black communities. Source: https://lnkd.in/gH-HZY2C The reluctance to seek help is further amplified by traditional societal norms about masculinity, which often discourage expressions of vulnerability among men, particularly in Black communities. The pressure to conform to these norms can make it difficult for individuals to seek help without fear of judgment or reprisal, which I experienced too. Source: https://lnkd.in/eKTPTSB

Moreover, when Black men do seek help, we often encounter healthcare systems that are not adequately equipped to address our specific needs. This can lead to less frequent and less effective treatment outcomes, as indicated by the significantly lower rates of treatment for major depression among Black communities compared to White ones. Source: https://lnkd.in/gCw5wUCm

My personal journey and the barriers I’ve faced highlight the urgent need for systemic changes within mental health services to become more inclusive and accessible, particularly for Black men. This involves not only increasing awareness and reducing stigma but also enhancing the training of healthcare providers to be culturally competent and responsive to the diverse backgrounds of their patients.

I sincerely hope my story, combined with these broader statistics, can serve as a powerful call to action to address these disparities and work towards a more supportive and understanding mental health system for everyone. Click here for more information on how you can help: https://gofund.me/0ce72a0b