When Cathryn McGill assembled a volunteer coalition to create the annual New Mexico Black History Month Festival, the New Mexico Foundation became the fiscal sponsor for the Black nonprofit. Now, the New Mexico Black Leadership Council gives thanks to the Foundation that was there from the beginning.
As the year 2020 comes to a close, the New Mexico Black Leadership Council takes this opportunity to give a most sincere thank you to one of its most steadfast sponsors, the New Mexico Foundation (NMF). The New Mexico Foundation has been NMBLC’s fiscal sponsor since its inception as the New Mexico Black History Organizing Committee (NMBHOC) ten years ago. With the New Mexico Foundation’s support, NMBHOC had the ability to grow and flourish from a fledgling festival and summer camp vehicle into the hub organization it is today: hiring two additional full time staff members, assembling a Board of Directors, and providing fiscal and administrative support to other nascent organizations in the Black nonprofit sector.
What It Means to Be A Fiscal Sponsor
Fiscal sponsorship allows charitable organizations that do not have their own 501(c)(3) status to fulfill their mission. With fiscal sponsorship, the New Mexico Foundation (NMF) provided administrative services, oversight, and financial responsibility for NMBHOC, even though the Organizing Committee did not have a federal tax ID or official IRS status as a charitable organization. This relationship with NMF allowed NMBHOC to conduct fundraisers, apply for grants, receive private contributions, and pay vendors and contractors for services needed for events such as the Asante Awards ceremony, the Kumbuka celebration, and the Roots Summer Leadership Academy. For the past decade, the New Mexico Foundation has acted as the fiscal sponsor for not only NMBHOC, but also for the first year of the New Mexico Black Leadership Council.
NMBLC’s Black Nonprofit Goes to the Next Level
Achieving 501(c)(3) status is no small feat. The organization had to first set itself up as a corporation, with Articles of Incorporation and a Board of Directors. It then had to successfully complete the application process, an IRS form that is itself almost thirty pages long. That’s before the organizational docs that have to be included, such as the bylaws.
In August of 2019, The New Mexico Black Leadership Council received official 501(c)(3) status from the IRS.
NMBLC was then in a position to finally hire full time staff to effectively execute the organization’s robust new mission: serve as a hub to create a viable and sustainable Black nonprofit sector for the Black community in the state of New Mexico.
With growth comes change, and this is where the ten-year partnership with the New Mexico Foundation comes to a close. Because NMF does not offer the type of services required to administer payroll and reporting for W2 employees, NMBLC had to take the next step of sustainability. In October of 2020, NMBLC hired a local Black-owned CPA firm to handle the organization’s payroll and tax liability. While the New Mexico Foundation is no longer NMBLC’s fiscal sponsor, NMF has fulfilled its mission to help nonprofits achieve independence and self actualization.
A Statement of Gratitude from NMBLC’s Founder and Director
The New Mexico Foundation has been a huge part of our story for 10 years and we will always be connected to them. The Foundation has helped us through many rough patches and has been there to celebrate our success since inception 10 years ago. We know we have a long way to go, and we are grateful for all of the support that the Foundation has provided for us.
I am forever indebted to all of the people at the Foundation for believing in us and our mission. If you ever need me, as my grandmother used to say, “Lord willing and the creek don’t rise”, I’ll be there.
Asante! (“Thank You” in Swahili.)
–Cathryn McGill, NMBLC Founder and Director
The New Mexico Black Leadership Council extends deep gratitude and blessings to the New Mexico Foundation and all of its people.
How an urbanite discovered her love for jewelry-making and launched a small Black owned business in the wake of the COVID pandemic.
The Coronavirus pandemic is a global crisis, impacting people physically and psychically. Many businesses have shut down while others had to quickly change their business model in order to survive. With more time spent alone and indoors, many people have re-evaluated how they want to live their lives. Albuquerque actress and filmmaker Diana Gaitirira is no exception. She lost her beloved uncle in New York City to the virus. During this dark time, a friend of Diana‘s invited her to come up to her unused workspace in Santa Fe and just be. That’s how Diana discovered her passion and talent for making jewelry. She launched her small, Black owned business, Rough Love Jewelry, featuring hand crafted items that showcase her Haitian roots, her experience as a sign language interpreter, and her belief that Black is beautiful. Recently her company made Mastercard’s list of five favorite small businesses in 2020.
In my interview with Diana, she talks about how a city girl found herself enjoying time alone in the wilderness, the challenges and joys of being a small and black owned business owner, and the story behind her “Yibambe” line honoring King T’Challa aka Black Panther.
Scroll down to read the interview!
Interview with Diana Gaitirira, Owner of Rough Love Jewelry
Note: Answers have been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
Shannon Moreau: You’re a filmmaker and a sign language interpreter. The pandemic hits, and the first thing you think is to start making jewelry?
Diana Gaitirira: This is the most unexpected roller coaster ride that I have been enjoying in a good way. And you know me, I am a city girl, I like to be with humans. I find myself in Santa Fe in the mountains making jewelry. I never guessed I would find so much peace of mind, so much relaxation—I feel like my soul is so full and fed by being in the wilderness. I would have never volunteered to do that, and that is where I found myself.
Every year I challenge myself to do something off of my bucket list and something out of my comfort zone. This was one of those years I’m gonna do five things, just to keep my sanity. I have a really awesome friend who lives out there [in Santa Fe], and she’s an artist, and she was like “Hey. It’s just me up here. You are welcome to come, and enjoy the space, do whatever you want.” So at first I would go and just be in the silence. Just being out there had me being creative and doing things with my hands and the next thing you know – boom! I have a jewelry business. Now I’m preaching, “Go into the wilderness, go find yourself on top of the mountains!” [Laughs.]
Get out of your comfort zone. Do the things you wouldn’t normally do.
—Diana Gaitirira, owner of Rough Love Jewelry
SM: How do you get your supplies?
DG: That’s a tricky one because in the beginning it was just for fun. Then when I said OK this is legit now, I would hit up my suppliers and they said we can’t keep up with that kind of an order. Or some of them closed. It’s hard to do anything in COVID, especially business. And then the postal service, God bless them, they’re dealing with a lot. You know, people sitting at home, shopping—I’m one of them. The poor post office is trying to get those packages out. I have put on my website, “I apologize in advance, it’s going to take me 10 days to get things to you.” Because I have to wait for my suppliers to get things to me, and then when I ship it out, sometimes the post office is behind. It’s not anybody’s fault. I blame the ‘Rona. ‘Rona is to blame. For everything. [Laughs.] We live in this culture where people are like [finger snaps] instant gratification. In every package I try to give people a free gift of some sort just to say, “I see you. Sorry this might be late, but, I love you.”
SM: Your business name is a unique one. What’s the story behind the title of your business?
DG: To make these things and be creative, it’s very relaxing and therapeutic for me. Every time I make something, I feel encouraged. And I want my customers to feel the same way. And this is for people who feel down, because I started doing this in a place that was low. I didn’t feel so good, you know. I lost a beautiful uncle to COVID. So this is for myself and for people who’ve been mistreated, who have been oppressed, who have been discriminated against. This is for people who are crushed in all capacities but then you say, I’m gonna stand up, I’m gonna get back up. My logo is fashioned after a cactus. There are some heart-shaped cactuses. So I am a cactus and I am growing out of this. There’s nothing around me to give me sustenance, but I’m still growing. If there’s a little bit of rain, I’m going to hold onto it. I’m going to do whatever it takes to survive. So it’s a company about perseverance, being an underdog. A lot of my pieces are very inspirational. I have Hope bracelets, Black Lives Matter, a new Pride bracelet. So it’s kind of a cactus-meets-survival-meets-“this world is [crap], but you’re not.” You’re amazing. You’re beautiful.
Rough Love Jewelry Owner Models Rough Rider Hat with Black Lives Matter Patch
SM: How did you come up with the idea for the King T’Challa Tribute?
DG: Well, I have to rewind back to before Black Panther even came out. I saw a trailer for it and I went into full nerd, stalker mode. I was stalking the director, I was stalking who was acting in it. I literally had a countdown: what are you doing in two years?? Let’s go see this movie!!
Growing up as a minority, you don’t get to see people of color, or dark skinned people, or people with natural hair. But as a kid it would’ve been so uplifting to see a role model, especially me, because I love sci-fi things. I love things that traditionally Black people aren’t allowed to be cast in, or not considered worthy to even audition for. So here’s a superhero movie with super powers, a hero from Africa and it was like [mimics angelic visitation]. To a regular Joe this might be like, “It’s just a superhero movie.” No, it’s not. It’s not just a superhero movie.
It is about not just the actors. I’ve done some acting and a little bit of modeling, back in the day when I was a young’un’, and it was so disappointing to go on set and these professional, licensed, certified hairstylists and make up artists say “I don’t have your makeup” or “I don’t know how to do Black skin” or “I don’t know how to do Black hair.” They’re like, “You figure it out.” While your co-stars who are not minorities get the full treatment. So to see [on the Black Panther crew] the wardrobe stylist is of color and the people doing hair are of color, so there’s nobody going, “You have to do your own hair, sorry, but I’m gonna still collect the paycheck.” So it went on so many levels.
We are here, we are real, people want to see us.
—Diana Gaitirira on the Black Panther impact
As a filmmaker, we made a trip to LA a few years ago to pitch shows that featured Black people. At first they would tell us that they love the concept but then we would go to marketing and they’d be like “Nobody’s going to watch that.” Then Black Panther comes out and it is one of the highest grossing movies of all time. It made $650 million. So we can be leads, we can command the box office. We are here, we are real, people want to see us.
I don’t want to tell people how many times I’ve seen this movie. That movie’s a part of me. I’m T’Challa. I’m Wakanda. That movie’s in my blood. And then to see him pass away at such a young age. So I just had to do it, I had to make that for him. Because I love him so much, I love the characters he’s played, I love him as a human being. I saw a lot of the stunts people say that he was such a beautiful and hard-working person. He meant so much to me.
SM: What is your model for collaborating with and supporting other businesses and communities?
DG: The other day I promoted a fellow jewelry maker who is here in New Mexico. There’s enough for all of us to make it. There’s no need to step on somebody’s head or push somebody down to the ground. I either buy from them myself or I will buy from them sometime in the future. I feel like more people need to do that. There’s no shame in uplifting someone else. You should support each other. Why not? Especially small businesses everywhere. It doesn’t matter what race or color you are or what your ability is. If you have something dope, I’m going to give you a shout out on my page. Last Sunday I highlighted Julie Mason, she happens to be deaf, and she makes beautiful jewelry and her style is different from mine but it’s amazing.
Everyone has a different style. That’s what makes people great. We’re all different and we add a little bit of flavor. That’s what makes America great.
—Diana Gaitirira on supporting fellow small businesses
Another reason why I have to support other people, I have to pay it forward. I’ve been privileged to get some great people in my life who help me for no reason. I’m going to do the same.
SM: You made it on the Mastercard top five small business of 2020 list. What was that process like?
DG: It was an anonymous call to small businesses to tell their story. So I submitted myself like I do for all kinds of things. I’m just gonna give it a go. They were like, we like you, send us a picture. We like you, tell us more about you. And more and more and more. And then later they were like this is Mastercard you’re talking to. Surprise!
Rough Love Jewelry is one of Mastercard’s Top 5 Favorite Small Businesses of 2020
SM: And then you wound up in the New York Times?
DG: Yeah. They sent me the print ad portion in the mail. I was shocked to see how big it was. I actually subscribe to the daily briefings so I’m just used to reading my news digitally. But to see it [in print] and be like wow. My face is huge!
SM: You’re a filmmaker, actress, sign language interpreter, jewelry maker, and small business owner. How do you balance it all?
You need to replenish your spirit and your mind.
—Diana Gaitirira on work/life balance
DG: It’s hard. What is that line— Mo’ money, mo’ problems? The more business you do, the busier you get. Because it’s just me, I have to do my social media by myself, I have to do my business money things. I actually hired a bookkeeper to help me keep it straight. That’s one of the places where I don’t regret spending money.
There are some days I hit the bed and [mimics face plant]. Or some days I don’t get to hit the bed until ridiculously late. Some days I’m like I have to take a break. Or else I can’t function, I can’t think right. But it’s tough. Especially when you’re by yourself. You have to be very organized, or else you might just spend all of your day doing one little thing. But you can’t, you have to divide yourself up into pieces. And then some days I try to say, “This whole day is for me. I’m off.” I try. Because you need that, too. You need to replenish your spirit and your mind.
SM: What’s in the future for you? Any upcoming projects you’re excited about?
DG: I have an interview with an international publication* that’s going to be launched soon. I have this new earring line. I’m also venturing into a gift basket line. There’s going to be some spa type items, there’s also going to be some edible items. These gift baskets will be for any occasion: holidays, I love you, I’m thinking of you. Especially in times like this, people need that connection. We are not getting the physical touching, which I need. I’m a physical person. I need to hug people, I need to sit on their lap. I need to squeeze them, but if you can’t do that, send them a gift basket. I’m going to have something for kosher, for gluten-free, for keto people, I’m going to have something for my vegans. In the future-future, I would like to move into some big ticket items. Working with furniture: making coffee tables, making lamps, going to the junkyard and getting some scraps, making some recyclable goods. Right now I am working with Italian leather. Obsidian beads, wood beads, dove feathers. I have some wood earrings coming out. I just want to create, create, create.
The latest from the Rough Love Jewelry earring (zanno) line.
Good things are coming.
*Editor’s Note: A few hours after publication of this post, Rough Love Jewelry was featured in Forbes magazine.
Learn more about Black owned business Rough Love Jewelry:
To get out the vote for the 2020 election, the New Mexico Black Voters Collaborative asked New Mexicans to share stories about why they vote.
On a sunny morning just before Labor Day, Megan Bott and Mason Graham of the New Mexico Black Voters Collaborative (NMBVC) set up a video camera on a main intersection in downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico. The goal was to record members of the community sharing their most memorable voting experience and why they personally believe in the importance of voting. This was part of phase 1 of the NMBVC action plan: voter outreach. The video series connects the importance of the vote today to the history of the fight for the right to vote.
The downtown streets were nearly empty, as the gradual reopening of the city in the wake of the pandemic had just begun. Many of the people involved in the NMBVC project had not seen each other since February, before the lockdown. The few moments of masked, socially distanced reunion were poignant and bittersweet.
Scroll down to find out, in their own words, why members of the community are voting in the 2020 election.
Why I Vote: Kindra Hill, Senior Project Coordinator, NMBLC
Kindra votes to choose candidates who reflect her values and will provide what is needed in her community.
See the full answer in the video below:
Why I Vote: Megan Bott, Marketing and Communications, NMBLC
Megan votes to make her voice heard in all the spaces of life.
See the full answer in the video below:
I stand on the shoulders of giants of the civil rights movement.
–Sean Cardinalli
Why I Vote: Sean Cardinalli, Alterity Entertainment, Truth to Power NM
Sean votes to honor those giants who risked life and limb so that he could exercise his right.
See the full answer in the video below:
Why I Vote: Shannon Moreau, Writer, NMBLC
Shannon votes because the outcome of her vote has a direct impact on her life.
See the full answer in the video below:
Why I Vote: Sydney Tellez, Associate Director at Common Cause New Mexico
Sydney votes to keep representation open for all people, including the disenfranchised.
See the full answer in the video below:
Why I Vote: Erica Davis-Crump, Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Advocate
Erica votes because voting apathy creates detrimental effects that last for years.
See the full answer in the video below:
Why I Vote: Alex Curtas, Communications Director for New Mexico’s Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver
Alex votes to uphold the hard-fought right of all citizens to vote.
See the full answer in the video below:
Why I Vote: Tracy Dingmann, mom, former journalist
Tracy votes because her ancestors protested and sometimes died for her right to vote.
See the full answer in the video below:
I am never going to give up that right.
–Tracy Dingmann
Vote no matter what.
Look for special TV spots of Megan, Sydney, Alex, and Sean on New Mexico PBS!
The New Mexico Black Leadership Council has compiled a list of resources to help you be vote ready for the 2020 election.
Below you will find information on same day voter registration, where to find your polling location, how to download a sample ballot, and links to candidate bios and interviews so that you can make an informed voting decision.
During early voting, you can register to vote or update your existing registration and vote on the same day at your County Clerk’s Office. If you wait until Election Day (Tuesday, November 3th) to vote, you will need to already be registered.
Some County Clerks will offer additional same day voter registration locations beginning on Saturday, October 17, 2020. Click below for more about same day voter registration:
Early voting in person ends the Saturday before the election, on October 31, 2020.
Mail-in Ballot Voting
Absentee voting begins on Tuesday, October 6, 2020.
You may mail your absentee ballot as early as October 6, 2020. Mail your completed ballot back to your county clerk no later than October 27th to ensure it arrives before 7pm on Election Day. If you are worried your mail-in ballot won’t get to the county clerk’s office in time, you can bring your completed absentee mail-in ballot to your County Clerk’s office or at any polling location during Early Voting or on Election Day.
Enter the required information, including the “I’m Not a Robot” prompt, and click SEARCH. Select “My sample ballot” to view the sample ballot.
2020 Election Candidates
In-depth information about the candidates that will appear on your ballot can be found at http://www.vote411.org after you select the option for “See What’s on Your Ballot.”
The Albuquerque Department of Senior Affairs is offering and prioritizing Ride Reservations for any Seniors 50 and older who need transportation to their nearest polling location.
To schedule your ride, call the Department of Senior Affairs at 505-764-6464.
**Extra sanitization measures will be in place for all ride shares with frequent cleanings between rides, mandatory face masks, social distancing, and rides limited to 4 passengers at a time.
Know Before You Go FAQ
Do I Need to bring ID?
Voters are not required to present an ID if they are already registered and have voted once before.
First time voters and those registering the same day will need to provide an ID
What if I’m Registering for the First Time?
If you are registering to vote for the first time you must bring the following with you:
A current and Valid Photo Identification
(Or) a Current Utility Bill, Bank Statement, Paycheck, Student ID, or government document that shows your name and current address
What about Voting Absentee?
If you requested an absentee ballot, after receiving and completing it you may bring it with you to drop off at the Early Voting Location
If I registered once do I need to register again?
Voter registration is permanent in NM
If your address has changed and has not been updated you will need to update your registration
