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What’s in a Name? For This Company, A Powerful Black Lives Matter Message
You may not have heard of Moss Gathering LLC, a Las Vegas-based company. And you may not be familiar with BabyNames.com unless you happen to have a child on the way. But a simple gesture the website made earlier this week ranks among the more powerful Black Lives Matter messages made over the past several days.
There really isn’t much explanation needed. Right now, when you visit BabyNames.com, it’s unmistakable to see the impact that needless violence has had on countless Black families, their friends and communities for decades.
All the people running BabyNames.com did was design a simple black text box with the names of Black citizens who died due to race-related violence. “Each one of these names was someone’s baby,” reads the opening caption.
It’s hard to peel your eyes away. Emmett Till. Medgar Evers. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Trayvon Martin. Philando Castile. Breonna Taylor. Ahmaud Arbery. George Floyd.
We’ve long said here on TriplePundit that when companies want to do good in the community at any level, they can start by harnessing the people and resources they already have at hand. Whether it’s a tech or medical company leveraging their people to help with STEM education efforts, a consumer goods giant donating their products at times of dire need, or a distillery using their factories to make hand sanitizer, making a difference isn’t really that complicated if a company, its leaders and employees are willing to divert the time and resources necessary to make progress happen. BabyName.com’s quick redesign is Exhibit A of how you can best take a stand or show allyship with whatever limited resources are available at hand.
BabyName.com’s decision means even more when you research some of these names. Philando is Greek for “friend of man.” Ahmaud’s Arabic origins are defined as “most praiseworthy.” Breonna means “high or noble,” which is apt because she was reportedly highly devoted to her job as an EMT and would work 15-hour shifts.
Do check it out. It’s hard to take your eyes off it.
Screenshot via BabyNames.com and Nathan Dumlao/Unsplash
Leon Kaye has written for 3p since 2010 and become executive editor in 2018. His previous work includes writing for the Guardian as well as other online and print publications. In addition, he's worked in sales executive roles within technology and financial research companies, as well as for a public relations firm, for which he consulted with one of the globe’s leading sustainability initiatives. Currently living in Central California, he’s traveled to 70-plus countries and has lived and worked in South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay.
Leon’s an alum of Fresno State, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and the University of Southern California's Marshall Business School. He enjoys traveling abroad as well as exploring California’s Central Coast and the Sierra Nevadas.
