In a recent voice note published on Portal X, Olori Lolade Siyonbola, noirpress Founder, shared her reflections on the Black Panther Party (BPP) and its relevance to modern Black-owned businesses. Siyonbola has been deeply influenced by the BPP’s strategies and achievements, particularly after revisiting documentaries about the party and watching “Judas and the Black Messiah.”
“The Black Panther Party is one of the beacons of hope in our Liberation struggle,” Siyonbola states. “They were one of the most impressive platforms ever, highly effective at many things, on a large scale.”
Lessons for Founders:
1. Sustainable Funding Mechanisms
The BPP demonstrated remarkable skill in generating and managing funds to support their numerous community programs. Siyonbola notes that the funding mechanisms of the Black Panther Party are not often discussed, but were crucial to their operations.
2. Consistent Content Production
One of the most striking aspects of the BPP’s operations was their commitment to regular communication. Siyonbola highlights, “They published their magazine every week for a decade. You know what kind of money that is? It’s real money.”
3. Diversification of Services
The BPP offered a wide range of community support, from feeding children to providing health services and education. This diversification allowed them to address multiple community needs and potentially create various funding streams.
4. Security and Safety
The BPP understood the critical importance of protecting their organization and members. Siyonbola emphasizes the sophistication of their security measures, noting that it was only through extensive government surveillance and interference that the BPP was eventually undermined.
5. Community-Centric Approach
At its core, the BPP’s success was rooted in its unwavering commitment to serving and empowering the Black community. This community-first mindset remains a powerful lesson for any organization seeking to create meaningful impact.
Modern Business Lessons:
Drawing inspiration from the BPP’s approach, Siyonbola discusses how these lessons can be applied in modern Black-owned businesses:
1. Technological Proficiency and Security
Siyonbola emphasizes the critical importance of technological security in modern business operations. She advocates for a comprehensive understanding of technology that goes beyond just digital tools, encompassing both material and metaphysical aspects. This holistic view of technology includes everything from software and hardware to energy systems and spiritual practices.
In Siyonbola’s view, technological innovation is deeply rooted in African heritage. She argues that many modern technological concepts, including binary code, have their origins in African divination systems and mathematical principles. This perspective encourages Black entrepreneurs to embrace technology as part of their cultural identity and to innovate without limitations.
2. Revenue Generation through Multiple Channels
Siyonbola discusses how NOIR Labs, parent company to noirpress, is diversifying its income streams by offering both products (like t-shirts with Yoruba proverbs and artwork) and services (software development). This multi-faceted approach to revenue generation echoes the BPP’s ability to fund various initiatives.
3. Clear Pricing Strategy
Transparency in pricing is key to Siyonbola’s business model. She advocates for clear starting points for services, ensuring clients understand the value proposition from the outset.
4. Brand Building with Cultural Roots
By incorporating elements of African culture into their products, NOIR Labs is creating a unique brand identity that resonates with their target audience. This approach not only differentiates her offerings but also serves to celebrate and promote African heritage.
5. Spiritual Practices in Business
Siyonbola believes in the power of maintaining high energy and positive intentions in one’s work. She encourages active meditation, prayer, and intention-setting as integral parts of business practice. “You have to actively be in the high vibration,” she states, emphasizing the importance of managing one’s emotional, mental, and psychic state in business.
Conclusion:
The Black Panther Party’s legacy offers many valuable lessons for modern organizations, especially those focused on community empowerment. Indeed as Siyonbola noted, there are more lessons to be explored beyond those above.
By combining these historical insights with contemporary business strategies, Siyonbola’s analysis demonstrates that powerful, impactful enterprises can be built to serve our communities while achieving sustainable success. Her approach emphasizes the importance of embracing African heritage and innovative thinking in building the future of Black-owned businesses and institutions.
You can listen to Siyonbola’s original voice note here.
