Getting laid off last year from her well-paying job as a payroll and benefits manager at a software company was a “shocker” for Cianni Jackson, a single mother of three children between the ages of 11 and 15.
Jackson’s designs included her signature “Black Girl Magic” hoodie sweatshirts and a camouflage jacket with patches, one of which stated, “No justice, no peace.” Program graduates and other local Black entrepreneurs can sell products through In The Black’s physical store, which charges most of them less than $650 monthly rent plus 3% of sales for transaction fees. They can also sell through In The Black’s website and keep all but 10%, minus packaging and shipping, which store staff members manage.
The San Francisco Housing Development Corporation spent $970,000 to remake the former check-cashing venue into an open, light-filled retail store. The space needed major mechanical, electrical, and plumbing upgrades, a new bathroom, and asbestos removal, said Jessica Mataka, interim program director for the organization’s economic development team. The City contributed $220,000 toward the build-out costs, she said.
Lyft shares surge as driver protest looms The SF company posted better-than-expected financial results after dramatically cutting costs “In The Black marketplace in the Lower Fillmore reflects what the Dream Keeper Initiative was meant to achieve,” said Diana Ponce De Leon, director of Community Economic Development in the Office of Economic and Workforce Development.
Like Jackson, Harris grew up in the Fillmore. The two knew each other when they were in high school together. “I have a prom picture of her,” Harris said. Davis said that In The Black provides a safe space where Black people can shoot for the stars without fear of failing.