Conversations with Yolanda Crawford

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yolanda Crawford.

Hi Yolanda, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
As someone who has experienced harmful stereotypes first-hand for being a black woman, I knew that I wanted to take a stand not only for myself, but for other black women who also suffered from these stereotypes. Back in 2013, I launched a website of t-shirts, which ultimately turned into my brand #EndTheStereotypes. The more I poured myself into the company, the more I realized just how many social groups were mistreated based on harmful stereotypes. Black men being painted as violent, single mothers being labeled as desperate, the list goes on. Over the past decade, #ETS has grown into not just a successful fashion brand, but an equality movement toward society no longer placing misconceptions on entire communities.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As it was for so many businesses, especially small-businesses, the Covid-19 pandemic was a challenging time for #ETS. Not only did this force us to navigate the new and competitive terrain of social media marketing, but I personally suffered a major loss in my family during this time. It took courage, perseverance, and a whole lot of adapting to believe that #EndTheStereotypes could make it past the pandemic. Sometimes you have to have the faith to see things through!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the Founder and CEO of my own apparel brand, #EndTheStereotypes. We specialize in high-quality products, each of which feature bold graphics that support our mission of eradicating harmful stereotypes that face our society. We are truly more alike than we are different, and #ETS perfectly reflects the need for people to not hold inaccurate opinions about each other based on the way they look.

This brand has been just the start of my career in social justice and equality advocacy. Now, I am a professional speaker in my community, a member of the NAACP and NCNW, and I’m currently pursuing my law degree. I have always wanted our world to be a more acceptable place and I’m proud of my part in working to make this happen.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
If you are doing something that you are passionate about, never stop believing in it, no matter what. #ETS had humble beginnings and from 2013 to now, has evolved into something truly remarkable. Remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day; these things do take time. And it’s understandable to get discouraged, especially nowadays when some brands go viral on social media and become a multi-million dollar business from one viral video within a year of launching their business. But, whether it takes a year or 20, if it’s something that you really want to do, it will be worth the wait. Trust me!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://endthestereotypes.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/endthestereotypes_/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Endthestereotypescom/100069678341980/?paipv=0&eav=Afb4wpUEdLjP60hhjQ_mmXqbK0yeqa2pdHwh6Y-98k2pKrb76D2h9IEqttw_7et641E&_rdr
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/stereotypes_end?lang=en