Reparations Plan: My Commitment to Justice

At Bird Sellergren Design, we hold unwavering core values centered around racial, social, and disability justice. These values have driven us to integrate a formal reparations plan into our business structure, developed in consultation with BIPOC advisors who have shared their invaluable insights and expertise.

We recognize the urgent need to address the deeply entrenched racial wealth disparities that persist in our society. The average white family today holds approximately ten times the wealth of the average Black family. In comparison, white college graduates possess over seven times the wealth of their Black counterparts, as reported by the Brookings Institute. Closing this divide requires personal and structural accountability and implementing tangible and measurable strategies to redress the racial injustices endured by Black and Indigenous communities in America.

Reparations encompass more than just monetary payments. They encompass the commitment of time, labor, acts of repair, and restitution. Reparations involve leveraging power, influence, and resources to end and prevent the repetition of oppressive practices that have disproportionately impacted BIPOC communities. Our aim is to help restore wealth and dignity to BIPOC who have faced systemic barriers in building generational wealth, accessing quality education, securing housing, and pursuing business ownership, among other areas of life.

As part of our commitment, Bird Sellergren Design dedicates a minimum of 10% of net painting sales to reparations.. The distribution of our reparations varies in amount and recipient, with the goal of reaching as many deserving projects as possible to the best of our capacity. While we primarily focus on providing direct ad hoc payments to individuals, we also extend our support to organizations such as Critical Resistance, The Sogorea Te Land Trust, The Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives, and Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network.

If our approach inspires you to create a Reparation Plan for your own business or personal practice, we strongly encourage you to hire individuals from the marginalized groups you aim to support. These individuals can provide invaluable guidance and insights, helping you develop a framework tailored to your circumstances. It is crucial to compensate these advisors for their time and wisdom. Together, we can build a more just and equitable future.

At BSD, we remain committed to fostering justice and equality. Join us in this transformative journey as we strive to positively impact marginalized communities' lives through reparations and meaningful action.