Eric Garner, a father of four, died at the hands of NYC officers. Have you ever thought this could have been you? What impact would it have on your family?
This is one of my greatest fears, being a father of a young African American man in our society. I can only imagine how Eric Garner felt when this horrible act took place. The impact this would have caused to my family would have been catastrophic for our family.
As a New York City resident, what conversations are you having with your son, who recently participated in a protest march in Washington, D.C., led by Rev. Al Sharpton with his Emory University alma mater, about a encounter with any police officer?
Living in New York, the conversation I’ve already had with my son on participating in protests and marches was to always let his inner dialogue to be calm. And, if he encountered a police officer to make sure he obeys and follows instructions. Because there’s always a possibility that things might become intense, [and] to remember the police are there to keep peace and not to instigate and to create havoc.
Having my son to participate in the march in D.C., made me feel proud as a father first of all, but after thinking about this, another emotion was heightened; the many injustices that have happened to our youth made me realize he was now grown.
As an award-winning creative director and executive, why do you think the hip-hop generation is just realizing that past civil rights methodologies and protest principles work?
Social media has armed the hip-hop generation with a powerful tool; their voice. Being able to share the injustices that are taking place in real time has created a new conversation on how to protest but doing it peacefully. This generation has also researched the civil rights methodologies so that their protests aren’t being driven by emotion only, but by the rights of each individual.
Describe how to pitch a client and get them to understand they need to participate in social causes like this. What would you pitch? What talent, celebrities and entertainers, would you choose to push the message?
Clients have to understand that the community pays close attention to brands that are doing the right thing and even more attention to the brands that aren’t. My approach would challenge corporations to stand up for the civil liberties all should have and to build a social platform that would allow those to share their thoughts and POV on how to address and correct.
What, in your opinion, is the market missing in using total market accounting, which does not account for black-owned agencies and ones targeting black audiences?
What’s missing in the accounting of total market is African American agencies controlling their own media to reach their audiences.
What are two things all black fathers should tell their sons and daughters about how to address the police?
I’ve told my kids two things if ever stopped by a police officer. One, stay calm and two answer the question(s).
Quincy Cherry is an entrepreneur and founder of a creative studio.
