Where does one begin?

“As American as Apple Pie“? No. That would not fit here, because America, at least for the past week, has shown that Sweet Potato Pie is the new icon.

Since Walmart’s release of the celebrity endorsed Sweet Potato Pie, sales were good, but it was not until the publication of a Video Review, produced by James Wright, on YouTube that within 24 hours after the video was posted on November 12, 2015, “sales data was showing a nationwide surge in pie purchases“, shared Walmart spokesman John Forrest Ales.
Due to the popularity Walmart had worked to restock it’s sweet potato pies after the viral video caused a massive surge in demand across the country.

The pie retails for $3.48. The viral video, made by now popular pitchman, James Wright, can possibly take responsibility for aiding in inflated sales of pies on eBay, recorded as much as $40!

Make no mistake, this is not an article looking to add to the hype, but to point out important perspectives and call out a wrong on Pattie Labelle‘s part.

Recently #TMZ’s cameraman catches Patti Labelle before entering a building and asks her about her success with her, endorsed, Sweet Potato Pie sales due to James Wright’s viral video review…

Patti Labelle adamantly takes full credit for the over a million dollars sales spike in less than a week, despite James Wright’s video review popularity.

“I did it myself“, Patti affirms.

“I was selling out pies before the guy did his wonderful video“, Patti explains.

Patti Labelle was able to express her regards for Mr. Wright’s singing ability and potential in that area.

“He’s a wonderful singer and he’s just a wonderful guy”, she said.

Since James’ review went viral, Walmart sold one pie per second for 72 hours straight last weekend.
So did Patti really, “do it herself“? Clearly Patti is exaggerating and disregarding the power of “word of mouth” and more importantly, Black Purchase Power.

In 2013, Black Buying Power was projected to reach 1.1trillion dollars!

There are 43 million Melanoid Americans in the United States, 13.7 percent of the total population. The “Black” race is the second largest racial minority in the country. The median age is 32 and 47 percent are under 35 years of age.

Despite these impressive numbers and buying power most mainstream advertisers are not inclusive. They fail to include “Black“, Melanoid people in media and marketing plans and have underestimated the market size.

If we were to reminisce to the 1900’s, a neighborhood called Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma was one of the most successful and wealthiest Melanoid communities in the United States.
Home to successful Black businessmen, affluent residents, restaurants, grocery stores, movie theaters, hospitals, banks, libraries, schools, law offices, private airplanes and a commuter bus system.

This was “Black Wall Street“, which could be today’s blueprint for Black Economics. Black Economics is essential to the rise and power of the Melanoid People. It is cases such as Walmart’s pies and the Missouri University “Black” students protests that set the precedence for how Black communities should be operating.

During the 1900’s, in Greenwood, Tulsa, Oklahoma, the dollar circulated 36 to 100 times, sometimes taking a year for currency to leave the community. Now a dollar leaves the Black community in 15 minutes.
This is terrifying to anyone who dreams of a better way for Melanoid people. Economic power is critical. Unfortunately, Patti Labelle’s situation is a snapshot of what happens a lot. Patti does not own the company that produces the sweet potato pies or will she profit from the success of it’s sales. Not in the manner as W. Galen Weston has. Instead her image is what is used to lure consumers.

These practices are not difficult to repeat.
What is difficult is gaining loyalty from the “Melaninated” Nations and when unity is achieved, maintaining consistency.
Above all, like the Dominant Society, the plans and actions of the Melaninated communities must be covert. The use of Social Media and other technological platforms are necessary, but with so much and many against the growth of Black Nations, stealthy actions would be vital to Black Economical Growth.

So as powerful as it is for the “Black Dollar” to circulate, it is equally as powerful for it to stall.
Weigh these thoughts when deciding what business you wish or wish not to support.

Lastly; one thing is for certain, Patti may have sold many pies but it sure ain’t better than my mama’s!

Share your thoughts.