It goes by many names—Black excellence, Black joy, the sauce, etc.—whatever you call it, it’s threaded throughout our Black History Month features, and we’re ending our Drip Series by highlighting the history behind the sauce.
We spoke with Dr. Robert P Robinson who has served as a K-12 educator for 11 years, teaching at public high schools. His field of study is in Africana Studies & History of Education with a focus on the Black Freedom Movement, Curriculum, and Instruction.
We’re using our platform to amplify the causes that are important to our community internally + externally, donating $25,000 in honor of Black History Month to:
Therapy for Black Men: An American organization working to help change the narrative around Black men seeking mental health support, helping them find the resources they need.
Therapy for Black Girls: A US-based online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls.
Plus, we provided 300 pairs of blue light glasses to Black Girls Code, an organization based in New York + the Bay Area dedicated to teaching girls ages 7-17 about computer programming and digital technology.
We believe that COMMUNITY IS QUAY and all people—regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, or creed—deserve respect, opportunity, and love. This idea is central to everything we do at Quay because we are nothing without the unique, diverse group of individuals internally + externally who are part of our global community.
We will continue to envision a brighter future with the power of our voice, our dollars, and our actions.
See all the ways YOU are helping us give back in 2021:
JUNE
PRIDE COLLECTION – SUPPORTING LGBTQIA+ MENTAL HEALTH We believe that all people—regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, or creed—deserve respect, opportunity, and love. In honor of Pride Month, we’re proudly donating to the following organizations:
The Trevor Project: In the US, we donated $100K USD to The Trevor Project—the world's largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ young people under 25.
Minus18: In Australia, we’re donating 100% of proceeds, up to $20K AUD, in the month of June to support Minus18—an organization that champions for LGBTQIA+ youth through events, education and campaigns.
Mermaids: In the UK, we’re donating £5,000+ GBP to Mermaids—UK’s leading LGBTQ+ charity supporting trans kids + their families.
MAY
ICY FOR GOOD – SUPPORTING RACIAL JUSTICE APPI COMMUNITY Our Style for Good series in the US continued to support #HATEISAVIRUS. Raising over $3,000 USD in one day, making our total donation to this nonprofit community of mobilizers and amplifiers $14,000 USD. Helping raise funds during AAPI Heritage Month in support of the AAPI community through programs related to mental health, better protections for the elderly, representation, solidarity-building, and more.
AFTER HOURS FOR GOOD – HELPING END PERIOD POVERTY Our Style for Good series in Australia donated 100% of proceeds to Share the Dignity, a charity working to end period poverty. Raising over $1,500 AUD in one day and donated an additional $50,000 AUD in support of their Dignity Vending Machine Program, which ensures access to period products to the most vulnerable.
APRIL
NOOSA FOR GOOD – SUPPORT RACIAL JUSTICE APPI COMMUNITY Our Style for Good series was in continued support of #HATEISAVIRUS. We raised over $7,000 USD in one day + have donated over $11,000 USD to this nonprofit community of mobilizers and amplifiers that exists to dismantle racism and hate. The only way to fight racism is to be actively anti-racist—educate yourself, speak up, donate, take action. There is no neutral position on racism.
MARCH
COME THRU FOR GOOD – INSPIRING ALL GIRLS TO BE STRONG, SMART, AND BOLD Our Style for Good series supported cause with confidence—envisioning a brighter future + supporting the next generation by donating 100% of proceeds from COME THRU. We raised over $5,000 USD + donated a total of $100,000 USD to Girls Inc, a non-profit within the United States and Canada that provides mentoring relationships, safe spaces, and evidence-based programming to girls ages 5-18.
HATEISAVIRUS – SUPPORTING RACIAL JUSTICE In support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Community, we transitioned our round-up feature in March to help #HATEISAVIRUS, a nonprofit community of mobilizers and amplifiers that exists to dismantle racism and hate. So far, our community has helped raise $10,000 USD.
FEBRUARY
NIGHTFALL FOR GOOD –SUPPORTING SOCIAL JUSTICE + MENTAL HEALTH Our Style for Good series supported Black History Month in the US + Mardi Gras in Australia, donating 100% of proceeds from Nightfall. For a total of $25,000 USD to the NAACP LDF, America's premier legal organization fighting for racial justice + $15,000 AUD to Minus18, an organization that aims to improve the lives of the LGBTQIA+ youth through events, education, and empowerment across Australia.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH - SUPPORTING RACIAL JUSTICE, MENTAL HEALTH, AND EDUCATION In honor of Black History Month, we donated $25,000 USD to the following organizations for the continued support in the fight for racial justice, mental health, and education for members of our community:
Therapy for Black Men: An American organization working to help change the narrative around Black men seeking mental health support, helping them find the resources they need.
Therapy for Black Girls: A US-based online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls.
Plus, we provided 300 pairs of blue light glasses to Black Girls Code, an organization based in New York + the Bay Area dedicated to teaching girls ages 7-17 about computer programming and digital technology.
JANUARY
JANUARY 26 IN AUSTRALIA - SUPPORTING SOCIAL JUSTICE In partnership with @clothingthegap, we helped amplify the voices of members of the Australian Aboriginal Community, continuing the conversation about January 26 + committing our dollars with a $15,000 AUD donation to The Healing Foundation—an Australia-based Aboriginal + Torres Strait Islander organization that partners with communities to address the ongoing trauma caused by the impact of colonization + actions like the forced removal of children from their families.
BLUEPRINT FOR GOOD – SUPPORTING COVID RELIEF EFFORTS This year we continued our Style for Good series, which designates a day each month to feature a bestselling style that gives back to a charity. This past January we kicked it off by giving proceeds from BLUEPRINT to the American Nurses Foundation. Together, we donated $10,000 USD to this organization that advocates for the wellbeing + success of nurses like those on the frontlines fighting COVID-19.
From top left to right: Arielle, Chia, Jovan From bottom left to right: James, Rachael, Belle
We're keeping the conversation going all month long + talking about the drip that exists in Blackness. It goes by many names—Black excellence, Black joy, the sauce—and we’re kicking it all off with our employees in a Q/A.
What do you do at Quay?
ARIELLE, STYLIST @ GLENDALE GALLERIA: The best part about my job is that I get to connect with customers through the styling experience. I LOVE bringing people out of their comfort zones, as it boosts their self-confidence...
BELLE, STYLIST @ DOMAIN: I am a Sales Lead Quay Domain Northside in Austin!
CHIA, PLANNING MANAGER: My title is Manager, Demand Planning—I work closely with our shop’s team.
JAMES, REGIONAL MANAGER: I’m a District Manager for Retail Shops at Quay. I manage stores in Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, and Florida.
JAVON, STYLIST @ FASHION SHOW: PT Sales Lead at Fashion Show [in Las Vegas].
JOVAN, SR. DESIGNER: I help create the digital brand look, collaboration campaigns, and promos through web design for Quay.com...
RACHAEL, STYLIST @ FASHION SQUARE: I work as a FT Sales Lead who drives sales for my store/team, creating a great experience for my customers.
Are there any specific Black Culture moments that inspired you to work in fashion?
ARIELLE: Growing up, noticing the style of the Black culture itself was an inspiration. Black culture sets a statement through our fashion, from our clothes to the aesthetics, and most importantly, the versatility of our hair.
JAMES: All things Prince! Seeing a man that resembled me, and that was so effortlessly himself was wildly inspiring. He challenged me to think about self-expression without boundaries.
RACHAEL: I remember watching Naomi and Tyra walk in a few fashion shows and saw how beautiful they were. They made me feel confident and showed me the representation that I needed when I was younger. There weren't many toys or barbies for me to play with that were Black or mixed like me.
How do you celebrate Black History Month?
BELLE: I celebrate by seeing how much influence Black culture has in day-to-day life with fashion, music, and food!
CHIA: To be honest, BHM has never felt like it was for Black people. For me, it has always felt like a reminder for everyone else about the culture, the history, the difficulties, and the joys of being Black. I celebrate, enjoy, and love being Black every day of the year.
RACHAEL: By taking time to appreciate everything that I have, what I worked for, and my accomplishments, my ancestors allowed me to get to where I am.
What piece of Black History do you think more people should know?
CHIA: The cartoon character Betty Boop was based on a Black jazz singer named Esther Jones. She popularized ‘baby’ type vocals and ‘boops’ in jazz songs.
JAMES: Madam C.J. Walker was the first female self-made millionaire in the US. Her granddaughter is my mother’s best friend. Her story was something we heard growing up, and our Aunt LeLe went on to write a book about her grandmother. That book has turned into stories that have now been translated into a series on Netflix called “Self-made.”
JOVAN: It's hard to narrow it down, but all the inventions that Black people have contributed that get swept under the rug and may not be common knowledge like Home Security Systems Co-Invented by Mary Van Brittan Brown or the Three-Light Traffic Light by Garrett Morgan.
What is one Black-owned business you support all year that everyone should support too?
ARIELLE: I like to support smaller Black-owned businesses...my close friend Gabrielle Myers is a dance choreographer and teacher. Being in that industry, there's not much Black representation, so she is paving the way to show Black girls and women of all ages that they are capable, if not more, to express themselves.
CHIA: Just one? I have two! Wine: I’m lucky to be a member of Brown Estates in Napa. They are one of the very few Black-owned wineries in the world. Coffee: Red Bay Coffee is delicious. Whether I buy beans to make coffee at home or drink something brewed from their shop, it is always delicious!
JAVON: I would support @jameldeon...He is a rapper but also has a brand called “Hustle with Me.” The brand is meant to motivate, uplift. and inspire the hustler in you! It’s about working hard, looking fly, and getting your hustle on.
COMMUNITY IS QUAY
We believe that all people—regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, or creed—deserve respect, opportunity, and love.
“We acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and recognize their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.”
Not only do we look at everything from the lens of what is important to our community internally + externally, we also believe that EDUCATION IS QUAY. This year, we’re dedicated to keep the conversation going with our community in partnership with Clothing the Gap. We spoke with members of Australia’s Aboriginal Community + asked them to share their thoughts on “Australia Day”.
A SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Aunty Rieo Ellis (Bundjalung and Jinabarra)
Aunty Jacqueline Stewart (Taungarong)
Charles Gordon Williams (Wiradjuri, Wemba Wemba, Gunnai and Yorta Yorta)
Rylan Johnson (Wiradjuri, Wemba Wemba and Gunditjmara)
Charles Michael Williams (Wiradjuri, Gunnai and Yorta Yorta)
Laura Thompson (Gunditjmara)
Lena-Jean Charles (Yorta Yorta)
Milloo Williams (Wiradjuri, Wemba Wemba, Gunnai and Yorta Yorta)
Jesse Popple (Bundjalung)
Nathan Muir (Wiradjuri)
Rebekah Liddle (Arrente and Bundjalung)
Kineeya Ellis (Gunai Kurnai and Bundjalung)
We still are, and will always be, in action in the fight for racial justice. Using our voices + committing our dollars with a $15,000 AUDdonation to The Healing Foundation—an Australia-based Aboriginal + Torres Strait Islander organization that supports the healing of Stolen Generations survivors, families, and communities.
Change the Record is Australia’s only national Aboriginal led justice coalition of Aboriginal peak bodies + non-Indigenous allies. They work to end the incarceration of, and family violence against, Aboriginal + Torres Strait Islander people.
The priority of the Aboriginal Literacy Foundation is to provide ongoing literacy programs + opportunities for Indigenous young people in Australia through education + community-based initiatives.
The Koorie Youth Council (KYC) advocates for the advancing of rights and representation of Aboriginal + Torres Strait Islander young people to government + its community in Australia.
The Healing Foundation is a national Aboriginal + Torres Strait Islander organization that partners with communities in Australia to address the ongoing trauma caused by actions like the forced removal of children from their families.
Common Ground is an Aboriginal-led organization that works with Aboriginal + Torres Strait Islander people to capture + share stories to create learning material for wider Australia.
ANTaR is a national advocacy organization dedicated specifically to the rights—and overcoming the disadvantage of—Aboriginal + Torres Strait Islander people in Australia primarily through lobbying, public campaigns, and advocacy.
