To my El Sereno and greater community…

I share this solidarity statement as part of my effort, for all of you who come to Sunday Morning, or who are considering coming, so that you know where I stand and what I am doing to take action beyond the words. And so that we can stand together in solidarity for a future free of inequity based on race, class, gender, sexual orientation, or ability.

It is clear that America is neither accessible to nor inclusive of everyone, and the clean beauty market is no exception.  I believe this is not only unjust, but also causes us to miss out on knowing each other, which harms us all. If you know my story, you know that I have personally experienced the benefit that lowtox clean beauty has given my health. I believe it should available to everyone, and not just those who can afford the higher pricetag often associated with it.

I’d also like to take a moment to acknowledge the harmful reality of gentrification and the systems that cause it. I know that I am not exempt from these systems, and that is my personal stake in working to end them.  If the conditions that cause the harm of gentrification cannot exist, not only does that all mean we all have an affordable cost of housing, healthcare, and education, but none of us have to be displaced or the cause of displacment anymore…including me…and we all get to be together. In the hopes that I can be part of changing these patterns and repairing historical imbalances alongside you…please know that I am in, El Sereno.  I am here, in earnest, to use my platform and my presence for the reciprocal and collective benefit of this community…to amplify local voices, talents, and small businesses…to support policies that protect people, land, housing, social safety nets, and community services so that El Sereno and communities like it can continue to flourish and thrive without it inevitably being at the expense of longstanding residents…to be mindful of how, why, and when to be quiet, as well as when to speak up, in the interests of the community…to honor that this is Tongva land…to apologize for mistakes in the form of action and change…and to know my success at this is for you to determine. In all of these ways and more, I remain in conversation and solidarity with you, El Sereno.

I know this is (I am) an ongoing work in progress that involves experimenting with new ideas, polishing the old ones, and remaining mindful of keeping my intentions aligned with my impact (a very important lesson). My long term hope is for my business to embody the idea of a new economy. A shared economy. A balanced economy. A just economy. A green economy. An economy where we all benefit by supporting each other to thrive and caring for this miraculous planet. Furthermore, to prove that doing it is not a sacrifice, but a gain. Not scarcity, but abundance. Not because it is nice, but because I believe it is essential.

I thank thinkers / writers / artists / leaders / and community organizers for showing me (and all of us) what transformative healing justice looks like and how to actually get there.

So thank you to Martha Escudero and everyone at Reclaiming Our Homes, Eastside Cafe, Regenerative Collective, everyone whose hair I’ve cut at local Project Housekey sites, Union Station Homeless Services, Hunger Action LA, Ave 33 Farms, Prentis Hemphill, Andrea Gibson, Renee Gadar, Hadassah Damien, Patrisse Cullors, Stacey Abrams, Charles Booker, Colin Kaepernick, Peoples Pantry, Future City Pantry, Hunger Action LA, Layla F. Saad, everyone at Everybody Gym, everyone at Pony Sweat, Carolyn Suzuki, Ijeoma Oluo, Ibram Kendi, Robin Di Angelo, Marsha P. Johnson, Brittany Packnett Cunningham, Amanda Gorman, Audre Lorde, and also my friends Dani, Robin, Sierra, Renee, Lacy, all of the Jens, Yvonne, Meredith, Noah, Liz (staying light always), Jilly-o-Nilly, Lidia, Chelito and Chris (you know who you are) for showing me, and all of us, how it is done by your own example. There are countless more to credit, but these people have impacted me in particular through their writings, activism, business model, words, or simply just their friendship.

Thank you.

- Courtney