TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Businesses across the country are standing in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and, in Tallahassee, some business owners say they couldn't stand by and do nothing.
The owner of Red Eye Coffee, Barby Moro, says the best thing you can do is help move things forward by talking things through with others.
While another local shop's idea is different, their ideas both benefit change.
Red Eye Coffee may be known for it's espresso, but now Moro says she wants to fuel a different kind of energy, a movement.
It all starts by "tapping into the tab."
"Your drink is on us," said Moro. "Build community and we will give you free coffee to do so."
Here's how it works: You bring someone that is different from you, whether by diversity or gender.
Then, you take a seat, drink a coffee or tea with them, share ideas about the tensions in the community, and how you think things can get be fixed.
Moro says it's one step towards healing the community.
"We can always do better," said Moro. "There's always something we can learn. There's always someone we can learn from, and there's always a story we can hear, and hear it for the first time and be moved and have that inspire us."
At Halisi Africa, they've seen people protesting without masks and they wanted to change that.
"We're a small business," said Bryant Shaw, the co-owner of Halisi Africa. "We can't give them a million dollars, but to actually put in some work and reach out to these different groups and say, 'Hey, we're here and we believe in what you're doing.'"
Shaw says he's been to some of the Black Lives Matter protests, but he can't make them all. So, they used their materials to stitch Movement 850 masks to give others to stay safe.
"I'd rather find a way that I can be involved, and do more, and show a business support for these movements and what people are doing," Shaw said.
You can donate to Halisi Africa to help them make more masks and stop by Red Eye for free coffee and take part in these conversations.
