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12/14/2021 1 Comment

BLACC Bottle: More Than Just A Bottle

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By Lajeune Hollis
​Bridgeport-based BLACC Bottle is not just a reusable water bottle company, it’s a lifestyle brand. Standing for “Bonafide Love Advancing Cultural Change,” the bottles serve as canvases to promote love, unity and positivity.

Co-owners Ralph White, Necas Collins and Delano Bennett crossed paths when working in sales and management at the same Connecticut communications company. All three men are originally from Jamaica but came to Connecticut for different reasons and at different times. When they met there was an instant bond.
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Initially, the trio started a podcast to promote financial literacy—a project close to their hearts. But when the pandemic began, some of the ideas they had were kicked into high gear.

“If the pandemic did not happen the process may have taken a lot longer than it did,” shared White. “We had all the time in the world to brainstorm what product to put out there.”

Their stainless-steel reusable bottles carry their positive messages forward. The front of their bottles read BLACC BOTTLE: Greatness Lies Within and the backs are covered with positive affirmations: Just Start, Find Yourself, Surprise Yourself, Rise Above All Odds, It’s Your Time to Shine, and Seize Your Moment.

“In a time where there is so much division and unhappiness around us, we created a product that acts as a reminder to lead with love for others and oneself,” said Collins. “With this approach we strive to accelerate cultural change.”
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In a time where there is so much division and unhappiness around us,
we created a product that acts as a reminder to lead with love for others
​and oneself.
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BLACC Bottle also carries exclusive hand-written affirmation tees with words of positive affirmation.

“We’re looking to spread positivity and love to all races and to promote a strong brand with Black roots,” said Collins.

Much of their mission is driven by a desire to make a positive impact in the community. BLACC Bottle’s mission is to identify ways they can make an impact within the communities they serve. Through their own experiences they’ve learned that inner city youth are at a disadvantage due to the limited access to financial conversations at home and available programs. They’ve decided to make this a focus for their company.
Part of making that a focus is by offering the BLACC Bottle Scholarship and Financial Literacy Program, and they truly believe the old saying that “love can conquer all.”
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“If people act with genuine authentic love, I really think we have a chance of changing the landscape of how we deal and treat each other – we will then be in a position to impact love,” shared Bennett.

As with many small businesses, one of BLACC Bottle’s biggest challenges is funding sources to produce the amount of product they need. However, as good fortune would have it, BLACC Bottle recently signed on to become an NBALAB partner, which will allow them to brand BLACC Bottle products with NBA team logos.

“We hope to continue to grow the brand as many ways as possible to spread our message, to be impactful and visible, and to partner with other companies like the NBALAB,” said Collins.
 
Long term, they are striving to be the first Black household name when it comes to drinkware and lifestyle brands.
Find BLACC Bottle on Instagram, Facebook and on their website.
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AUTHOR

Lajeune Hollis is a Connecticut resident, media sales professional, local news junkie, daughter, sister, proud aunt and colon cancer survivor. She has spent the past 30+ years in the media industry and has written, produced and hosted mini-biographies (bio-line) for a gospel video show called Lifeline Gospel Videos on a Bridgeport, CT public access television station; written African American book reviews for a monthly urban newspaper, The Inner City Newspaper, in New Haven, CT; co-hosted an on-air book review (the L & L Book Review) on an urban contemporary radio station (WNHC AM 1340); hosted an African American monthly book club at Barnes and Noble bookstore in North Haven, CT; worked as a community radio announcer (Lovers Corner with Lajeune) at a New Haven area radio station (WYBC 94.3 FM); worked as a local ad sales manager for Umoja Newspaper in Bridgeport, CT; worked in radio advertising sales and management for a total of four Connecticut radio stations (WNHC AM 1340, WEBE 108FM, WICC 600 AM, and WYBC 94.3FM) and is currently working in local ad sales (television, digital, online, content marketing and social media) for News 8, a New Haven, CT based ABC TV affiliate. Lajeune also has her own website, LajeuneHollis.com and blog, The View from Lajeune.
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PHOTOGRAPHER

Shariffah Mason is a female, versatile, freelance photographer from Connecticut. She typically admires photographs of friends and family, scenic views, and just moments that are memorable without even realizing it! She wanted people to see that same beauty she does so she decided to get a camera, create her brand (Reef's Views Photography) and went to work! Now she's able to deliver quality content and make memories last a lifetime for her clients. Currently as a photographer, she volunteers for ShopBlackCT and does her own freelance work too. If you'd like to see more of Shariffah's work, check out her IG/Facebook @Queenofallltrades! ​

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1 Comment
rimsha blogger link
7/12/2023 11:08:46 am

HI
Whats your offer soponser post price on this website
If you have more websites then let me know
Thank you

Reply



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