Atlanta rapper and activist Killer Mike is about actions in addition to words. The Georgia native’s latest move is launching a digital banking platform for the Black and Latin community.
Killer Mike Aims To Create Financial Equality
Former Atlanta mayor Andrew J. Young and Bounce TV founder Ryan Glover are working with Killer Mike on the project, called Greenwood.
“Today, a dollar circulates for 20 days in the White community but only six hours in the Black community,” Mike said in a press release this week. “Moreover, a Black person is twice as likely as a White person to be denied a mortgage. This lack of fairness in the financial system is why we created Greenwood.”
Each month, Greenwood will distribute $10,000 in grants for Black and Latin small business owners. Whenever a new customer signs up with Greenwood, the company will donate five meals to families in need. Whenever someone uses a Greenwood debit card, the company will make a donation to the NAACP.
“It’s no secret that traditional banks have failed the Black and Latinx community,” Glover said in the press release. “We needed to create a new financial platform that understands our history and our needs going forward, a banking platform built by us and for us, a platform that helps us build a stronger future for our communities.”
Killer Mike Criticized For Meeting W/ Georgia’s Republican Governor
Recently, the hip-hop veteran took to social media to confront criticism he received following a meeting with Georgia governor Brian Kemp, a Republican. Mike explained the motivation and reason behind linking up with the man responsible for stealing the election from popular Georgia politician Stacey Abrams in 2018.
“I wanna thank my potna Bear Loc (@higherlevelbear) for coming thru with me today as I met with @govkemp. ? Here is what Bear Had to say and I am truly humbled by his words: “This man is working for us even when we don’t see it. I witnessed Michael Render (Not Killer Mike) sit with The Governor of Georgia and give him honest salt of the earth talk on behalf of “Black Boys and Men”, “Barber Busines” & “The Ga Justice initiatives he supports”. Lemme add he has been informed by Local grassroots leaders, Judges and Lawyers he knows and trust and his Homies that are currently serving life. Mike is really the real deal. He ain’t just tapping and rapping. He is about the #plotplanstrategizeorganizeandmobilze move! #AlwaysRolliN #Mybrotherskeeper #Warrior”! Thank U @higherlevelbear.” -Killer Mike’s Instagram
Mike also shouted out his local community for standing up and supporting him for speaking out on Atlanta issues with Governor Kemp.
“Thank my community and all that advised me on talking points for our community and the wider community. I will say I was welcomed with respect. I was heard and our exchange was productive. I look forward to helping Georgia increase it’s 2% Govt state contract participation to 10-15 % (and greater) participation.! This state can with all its business interest can become an example of what a southern progressive economy can be. This is the 1st of many real and frank conversations to be had. Thank U @govkemp and your staff for the day. #ThankAllThoseWhoCounselMe #YallsInfoHelpsMeBeBetter #ThankMyBrothersAndSisters #ThankAllGeorgiansWhoReallyWork! #IWillContinueDoingMyBestForUs”
Mike Addresses Black Twitter
Killer Mike didn’t just rely on his Instagram page to explain himself. The Georgia native also addressed fans directly through a series of Twitter responses.
Black-Owned Businesses
Mike might have really had an eagerness to talk to Governor Kemp as a small business owner. Recent reports claimed Black-owned companies could run out of cash by December if the government doesn’t get involved as a result of the economy trying to recover during the COVID-19 crisis.
Small businesses have largely exhausted their federal funding and are starting to lay off workers, with many worrying about having to shut their doors for good, according to a new survey from Goldman Sachs provided exclusively to Axios. Business still has not returned to normal, six months after the coronavirus pandemic first appeared in U.S. But small firms say the money they received from the Paycheck Protection Program has run dry. Data show Black-owned businesses face an even steeper climb. 43% say they their business’s cash reserves will be depleted by year end if Congress does not act in September, compared to 30% of respondents overall. 31% say less than a quarter of their pre-COVID revenue has returned. (Axios)
