>> WHETHER IT WAS GEARING -- GETTING MARRIED ARE MARCHING IN THE CIVIL MOVEMENT, MARCHING IN THE FUNERALS, EVERY HAT HAS A STORY BEHIND IT.

>> HELLO, LOOK WHO IS HERE.

NICOLE, PROFESSOR DEAN.

I’M DOING WELL, GREAT TO SEE YOU ALL.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> TARIFFS ARE ON THE RISE, SO ARE THE PRICES OF JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING.

IN THE STOCK MARKET, DON’T EVEN GET ME STARTED.

MICHELLE SINGLETARY IS THE AUTHOR OF THE COLOR OF MONEY FOR THE WASHINGTON POST.

ON A SCALE OF ONE TO FIVE, HOW WORRIED SHOULD WE BE?

>> 10.

[LAUGHTER] NOT PLAYING AROUND.

IT IS 10.

IF WE ARE BEING HONEST, AND I DID NOT WANT TO SCARE PEOPLE, I WOULD SAY 12.

I THINK YOU SHOULD BE VERY SCARED.

BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN YOU SHOULD BE FEARFUL.

I KNOW IT DOES NOT SOUND LIKE THERE IS A DIFFERENCE.

BUT THE ECONOMY HAS DEFINITELY HEADED FOR SOME TURBULENT TIMES, ALREADY IN SOME TURBULENT TIMES.

BUT IF YOU ARE TOO FEARFUL, YOU MAY MAKE MOVES THAT HER MOM NOT IN YOUR BEST INTEREST.

SO BE SCARED, BUT DON’T BE SO FRIGHTENED THAT YOU MAKE SOME FINANCIAL CHOICES THAT COULD FURTHER ERODE YOUR RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR BANK ACCOUNT.

>> HELP US UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS HAPPENING.

>> ONE WORD, TRUMP.

TARIFFS.

IT IS AN ECONOMIC POLICY THAT FOR MANY PEOPLE DOES NOT MAKE SENSE.

IT ESPECIALLY DOES NOT MAKE SENSE BECAUSE OF THE TIMING.

WE JUST SURVIVED A GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

IN THE U.S. AT LEAST WITHOUT A RECESSION.

THE FEDERAL RESERVE HAD GOTTEN INFLATION DOWN ALMOST TO THEIR BENCHMARK OF 2%.

WE WERE BREATHING.

MY GOODNESS.

WHEN SOME OF US COULD NOT BREATHE WELL BECAUSE OF COVID.

THEN YOU DECIDE TO TEAR UP EVERYTHING AT A TIME WHEN PEOPLE WERE FEELING I’VE GOT THIS AND NOW WE DON’T HAVE IT.

>> THAT SAID, WHO WILL BE HURT THE MOST BY THIS NOW CURRENT UNCERTAINTY?

>> I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE COUNTRY, LOWER INCOME AND MIDDLE INCOME WILL BE THE HARDEST HIT.

UPPER INCOME AND THE WEALTHY, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO WEATHER THE STORM, THEY’VE GOT MONEY.

LOW INCOMES, TARIFFS ARE A TAX INCREASE.

INCREASE ON CONSUMER GOODS.

ALREADY PEOPLE WERE JUST SQUEAKING BY.

NOW NOT ONLY ARE THEY GOING TO HAVE TROUBLE PAYING FOR STUFF, THEY MAY LOSE THEIR JOB.

THAT IS WHAT THESE TARIFFS ARE DOING.

SO MANY FACTORS, SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, THEY DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO, THEY CANNOT PLAN.

THEY MAY NEED MORE PERSONNEL BUT THEY DON’T WANT TO HIRE PERSONNEL, BUT THEY HAVE TO JACK UP PRICES.

THEY DON’T WANT TO HIRE SOMEONE AND HAVE TO TURN AROUND AND FIRE THEM.

SO THEY ARE HOLDING BACK.

THEY DON’T KNOW HOW TO PRICE THINGS.

IF THE PRICE TOO HIGH, THEY DRIVE CUSTOMERS AWAY.

IF YOU DON’T, YOUR PROFIT THE ROAD.

IT IS A HOT MESS.

>> MANY PEOPLE ARE ALREADY LOSING THEIR JOBS, SPECIALLY FEDERAL WORKERS WHOSE POSITIONS HAVE BEEN CUT.

HOW ARE WE ALREADY SEEN CONSUMER ACTIVITY SHIFT AS A RESULT OF THESE CHANGES?

>> WE SEE THE CONSUMER SENTIMENT IS GOING WAY DOWN.

USUALLY WHAT THAT FOLLOWS IS CONSUMER CONFIDENCE.

IF YOU ARE NOT CONFIDENT OF THE ECONOMY, YOU PULL BACK, WHICH YOU SHOULD DO.

YOU DON’T KNOW IF YOU WILL HAVE A JOB, YOU DON’T KNOW IF YOUR SISTER WILL HAVE A JOB.

THAT MAY BE A SISTER YOU HAVE TO HELP FINANCIALLY.

SO YOU SAY I’M GOING TO CANCEL THAT BOUQUET -- VACATION, I’M NOT GOING TO BUY CLOTHING, I WILL STAY OUT OF THE STORES.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD DO.

BUT THEY PULLBACK, THE ECONOMY IS DRIVEN BY CONSUMPTION SO THAT FEAR TURNS INTO A REALITY.

>> WHAT IS YOUR NUMBER ONE PIECE OF ADVICE FOR FOLKS AS WE HEAD INTO THIS UNCERTAIN FUTURE?

>> IF YOU HAVE DEBT, TRY AND PAY IT DOWN, SO IF YOU HAVE A DISRUPTION IN YOUR INCOME, THAT IS UNLESS THING TO WORRY ABOUT.

IF YOU DON’T HAVE DEBT AND YOUR SAVINGS IS LOW, YOU WANT TO BOOST YOUR SAVINGS.

MAYBE YOU HAVE DEBT AND SAVINGS LOW.

MANY PEOPLE SEE THIS LIKE I DON’T EVEN HAVE A DOLLAR.

>> THAT IS WHAT I’M SAYING.

YOU MAY NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO BE MOVING AROUND.

>> YOU HAVE TO REALLY MIND YOUR BUDGET FOR EVERY EXTRA DOLLAR.

IF IT IS JUST $.50 OF THAT DOLLAR, PUT IT AWAY.

BECAUSE EVERY LITTLE BIT WILL HELP IF YOU LOSE YOUR JOB, OR SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY OR YOUR SPOUSE OR PARTNER OR KID, YOUNG ADULT CHILD WHO IS ON THEIR OWN OR MIGHT BE LIVING WITH YOU.

I KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO STRUGGLE.

I HAVE EATEN A LOT OF NOODLES IN MY TIME.

AND VIENNA SAUSAGES AND ALL THAT.

THAT MIGHT BE WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HEADED, AND MAYBE THEY ARE ALREADY THERE.

I WOULD SAY THAT YOU LOOK AT THE BIG STUFF PERHAPS, IF YOUR RENTAL LEASE IS COMING UP, CAN YOU GET A ROOMMATE, MOVE WITH A RELATIVE?

WE WILL SEE PROBABLY A LOT MORE SHARED HOUSING.

WHICH IS NOT A BAD THING.

CUT THE EXPENSES -- DON’T BUY THAT CAR.

YOU HAVE A $1500 CAR REPAIR, FIX THE CAR BECAUSE $1500 IS LESS THAN BUYING A NEW OR USED CAR.

>> A WONDERFUL RECIPE TO SPICE UP SOME NOODLES IF ANYBODY NEEDS THAT RECOMMENDATION.

MICHELLE SINGLETARY, GOOD TO TALK TO YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NICOLE, YOU HEARD WHAT MICHELLE SAID.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE AVERAGE CONSUMER?

>> MICHELLE NAILED IT WHEN SHE TALKED ABOUT UNCERTAINTY.

THIS UNCERTAINTY IS DRIVING EVERYONE’S BEHAVIOR FROM CONSUMERS TO COMPANIES.

NO ONE REALLY KNOWS WHAT TO DO SO EVERYONE IS ON PAUSE.

THEY ARE SAVING THEIR MONEY, NOT MAKING DECISIONS TO MOVE FORWARD.

EVEN ON THINGS THEY PLANNED FOR.

>> ONE THING THAT SHE SAID THAT STRUCK ME WAS THE FACT WE LIVE IN THIS CONSUMPTION ECONOMY BUT MAYBE IT IS TIME, OR AS PEOPLE ARE TAKING THESE PAUSES, I THINK THE QUESTION COMES UP AS WE ARE SEEING THE BOYCOTTS LIKE DO WE NEED TO REALLY BUY ALL THIS STUFF AND IS WITHHOLDING YOUR MONEY NOT ONLY THE BEST FINANCIAL THING YOU CAN DO, BUT THE BEST FORM OF PROTEST?

>> THAT IS EXACTLY RIGHT.

IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THERE ARE ALL SORTS OF BUSINESSES OUT THERE.

AND WE CAN CHOOSE WHAT BUSINESSES WE SUPPORT.

PULLING BACK ON EXPENDITURES IN CERTAIN RETAILERS, WE CAN ALSO EMBRACE THOSE RETAILERS THAT WILL ESPECIALLY NEED THE SPORT NOW, THE SMALLER INDEPENDENT RETAILERS.

>> HOW DOES IT SETTLE WITH YOU GIVEN THE BUSINESSES YOU WORK WITH?

>> ALSO PROVIDE SERVICES TO OTHER BUSINESSES.

EVERYBODY IS PARALYZED BECAUSE THERE IS UNCERTAINTY IN THE AIR WHERE WE KNOW WHERE WE ARE TODAY BUT WE DON’T KNOW WHERE WE ARE TOMORROW.

AND THERE IS JUST A RIPPLE EFFECT BECAUSE IT IS NEGATIVE ALL AROUND, UNFORTUNATELY.

>> TALK ABOUT THIS SUPPLY CHAIN.

I KNOW YOUR WORK IS VERY ALIGNED.

SAY THE TARIFFS HAVE HAPPENED, THIS IS HAPPENING AT A VERY HIGH LEVEL.

HOW DOES IT TRICKLE DOWN TO AFFECT NOT ONLY THE AVERAGE CONSUMER, BUT THE AVERAGE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER?

>> YES.

TRICKLE DOWN, THE TARIFFS HAVE ARRIVED FOR MANY OF OUR MEMBERS WHO ARE BUSINESS OWNERS SEEING PRICE INCREASES AND THEY ARE VULNERABLE BECAUSE THEY CANNOT PASS THOSE INCREASES ONTO THEIR CUSTOMERS, SO THEY ARE MAKING VERY HARD DECISIONS RIGHT NOW.

THE TARIFFS ARE ALSO AFFECTING FOLKS DECISIONS TO SPEND MONEY.

WHETHER IT IS IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES OR ELSEWHERE.

IT IS REALLY HAVING THIS NEGATIVE EFFECT ON OUR ABILITY TO MOVE FORWARD, WHICH IS UNFORTUNATE.

I KNOW BOYCOTTING BUSINESSES IS A GREAT POLITICAL STATEMENT.

BUT AN EVEN MORE POWERFUL STATEMENT WAS TO USE OUR BUYING POWER TO SUPPORT BLACK AND BROWN BUSINESSES AT THIS TIME IN THIS MOMENT.

THE BLACK AMERICANS COLLECTIVELY, WE HAVE OVER $1,000,000,000,000.5.

SO WE ARE PUTTING THAT TO USE, WE CAN HAVE GAME CHANGING MOMENT RIGHT NOW.

I’D LOVE TO SEE MORE SUPPORT FOR THOSE WILLING TO SPEND MONEY TO SPEND MONEY WITH DIVERSE AND LOCAL BUSINESSES.

>> WILLING AND ABLE TO.

WE SHOULD BE SMART.

>> AND I DO WANT TO -- MICHELLE AND I WERE JOKING ABOUT THE NOODLES AND SAUSAGES, BUT WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT IS A REAL REALITY FOR MANY PEOPLE, YOU CAN ONLY EAT WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD.

I DO WANT TO COME BACK AND GO ABOUT THIS IDEA OF A COTS.

BUT I KNOW YOU MET WITH GOVERNOR HEALY RECENTLY TO TALK ABOUT HOW THE STATE WOULD SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT ON THAT FRONT?

>> CERTAINLY WAS AN INTIMATE MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR, BUSINESS LEADERS, BUSINESS OWNERS WE REPRESENT.

HE REALLY WANTED TO HEAR FROM EACH ONE OF US WHAT IS HAPPENING, WHAT WE ARE HEARING ON THE GROUND.

AND ACTUALLY FIND SOLUTIONS TO RESOLVE SOME OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES AND COST ISSUES.

THEY ARE IN THAT SPACE BECAUSE THEY ARE GATHERING DATA FROM ALL OF US SO THEY CAN BETTER SUPPORT OUR BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS.

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

>> MORE COLLABORATION.

IT IS NOT JUST LOOKING FOR WAYS FOR US TO WORK TOGETHER, BUT ALSO SUPPORT EACH OTHER.

BECAUSE WE HAVE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

A RELATIVELY STRONG ECONOMY COMPARED TO OTHER PARTS OF THE NATION.

SO HOW DO WE LEVERAGE THOSE RESOURCES WE HAVE AN ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE IT IS AN EQUITABLE CONSUMPTION?

SO THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT THE MOST VULNERABLE BUSINESSES IN LOOKING AT THE COST SO WE CAN CONNECT THE DOTS AMONG THE FOLKS AT THE TABLE.

AND MAYBE OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT AT THE TABLE WE CAN BRING TO THE TABLE TO SUPPORT EVERYBODY EQUITABLY.

>> PROFESSOR DEAN, I MENTIONED OTHER FORMS OF ECONOMIC PROTEST THAT PEOPLE ARE CONSIDERING.

ONE OF THEM IN LIGHT OF TAX SEASON IS PEOPLE NOT PAYING THEIR TAXES AND THE IRS HAS REPORTED EXPECTING ABOUT A $500 BILLION LOSS IN REVENUE AS A RESULT OF THIS.

THIS IS ALSO COMING AS IRS IS FACING ITS OWN WORKFORCE SHORTAGE AS A RESULT OF POLICIES FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

I’M JUST GOING TO ASK YOU STRAIGHT UP, IS IT OK FOR PEOPLE NOT TO PAY THEIR TAXES IN THIS SEASON OF UNCERTAINTY?

>> I’M GOING TO TRY TO GIVE YOU A STRAIGHT ANSWER, THE ANSWER IS NO.

IT IS NOT OK. >> WHAT WOULD HAPPEN?

>> BAD THINGS WOULD HAPPEN.

MORE COMPLICATED ANSWER IS MOST PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY PAID THEIR TAXES.

MOST PEOPLE IF YOU WORK AT A JOB WITH A WAGE, YOUR TAXES HAVE ALREADY BEEN PAID.

IN FACT, YOU HAVE ALREADY OVERPAID YOUR TAXES.

MOST PEOPLE WHEN THEY FILE, THEY ARE EXCITED TO GET A REFUND.

THAT IS GREAT COME OF COURSE I’M REALLY ANNOYING AND WHEN SOMEONE SAYS I GOT A REFUND YOU SHOULD BE SAD BECAUSE IT MADE YOU MADE AN INTEREST-FREE LOAN TO THE GOVERNMENT.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS MOST PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR THE TAXES SO THEY ARE FILING FOR A REFUND.

IF YOU WANT TO DELAY FILING, THAT IS NOT A TERRIBLE THING TO DO.

IT WILL NOT MAKE ANYBODY UNHAPPY.

I’M NOT SURE HOW IT ADVANCES -- >> DELAYED FILING, YOU MEAN FILING AN EXTENSION -- >> WHATEVER MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE WERE MAKING A STATEMENT.

SEND IT ON TIME, IF YOU ARE MAILING IT, PEOPLE ARE DOING THAT, THE LETTER EXPLAINING WHAT IS GOING ON.

BUT IF YOU ALREADY PAID YOUR TAXES, THERE REALLY IS NO WAY TO CLAW THAT BACK WITHOUT FILING.

AND IF YOU DO SOMETHING EXTREME, FILING IN A WAY THAT HAS A LONG HISTORY OF TAX PROTESTERS WILL CLAIM A LOT OF EXEMPTIONS, ALTHOUGH WE DON’T HAVE THOSE, THERE ARE WAYS TO FILE TO GET EXTRA TAXES BACK.

BUT I WOULD NOT SUGGEST DOING THAT.

THAT IS A RECIPE FOR DISASTER.

>> HE RECENTLY TESTIFIED BEFORE THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE ABOUT THE IMPACT OF RACISM ON TAX POLICY.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW BLACK PEOPLE ARE AUDITED, THREE TO FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE AUDITED BY THE IRS.

WHAT SHOULD WE AS A PEOPLE BE TAKEN AWAY FROM THAT?

I KNOW AMERICA WAS FOUNDED ON TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.

BUT AT A TIME WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS CUTTING SO MANY CRITICAL RESOURCES, HOW DO WE IN GOOD FAITH AND KNOWING THAT RACISM HAS BEEN PART OF THIS SYSTEM, HOW DO WE CONTINUE TO DO OUR DUE DILIGENCE?

>> IT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

THE PROBLEM, THIS HAS ALREADY COME UP IN A CONVERSATION, THOSE MORE LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE.

A LOT OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE AUDITED ARE THOSE WHO CLAIM THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR EXAMPLE, INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT SOURCE OF SUPPORT FOR THOSE WORKING FOR A LOW WAGE, AND THERE BEING AN EXCESSIVE RATE.

AT A TIME WHEN THE IRS HAS FEW MORE RESOURCES, IT’S TIME TO ENGAGE IN THOSE AUDITS WHERE THEY DON’T NEED HUMANS DOING ANYTHING.

THERE ARE MORE LIKELY TO TARGET THE PEOPLE MOST VULNERABLE.

I WOULD SAY IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO SAY YOU ARE WHAT YOU’RE REQUIRED TO DO BECAUSE EVEN IF YOU DON’T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO GO AFTER MILLIONAIRES AND BILLIONAIRES ANYMORE, IT IS EASY TO GO AFTER PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT FILING TAXES WHO MAY BE ARCHAIC WORKERS, BUT ALL THEIR INCOME IS REPORTED BUT NOT WITHHELD.

I DON’T THINK IT IS A GOOD STRATEGY FOR PEOPLE TO ENGAGE.

EVEN IF THE IRS IS UNDERFUNDED, UNDERSTAFFED, IT IS EASY FOR THEM TO TARGET TAXPAYERS WHEN THEY HAVE ALL OF THE INFORMATION AND USE THE ALGORITHMS TO DO THAT.

IT IS APPARENTLY PART OF THE STORY BEHIND THE SANFORD STUDY YEARS AGO THAT SHOWED BLACK TAXPAYERS WERE MORE LIKELY TO BE AUDITED AND THOSE KIND OF ALGORITHMS WERE GOING TO HAVE A DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY.

>> OF THE NEW YORK TIMES PUT OUT AN ARTICLE ABOUT THE AUDIT RATE BEING THE LOWEST IT’S BEEN OVER THE PAST DECADE.

THEN MOST AMERICANS HAVE SEEN IN THEIR LIFETIME.

STILL DOES NOT MEAN WE SHOULD NOT PAY TAXES.

EVERYONE IS FILING.

BUT YOU MENTIONED EARLIER ABOUT THIS IMPORTANCE OF RE-CHANNELING ANY MONEY BEING SPENT.

AND ONTO BLACK AND BROWN SMALL BUSINESSES.

OR AT LEAST BLACK AND BROWN OWNED BUSINESSES.

WE KNOW THERE ARE AN ARRAY OF BUSINESSES THAT SELL ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

ONE THING WE HEARD FROM MICHELLE IS BEING MINDFUL, BUT WHEN YOU ARE BUYING.

I THINK THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER WHO IS SELLING COSMETICS, WHO MAY BE SELLING JEWELRY, CLOTHING, THINGS THAT MAY NOT BE SEEN AS NECESSITIES IN THIS MOMENT.

HOW ARE THEY GOING TO BE IMPACTED?

>> THE REALITY IS EVEN THOUGH WE ARE FACING DIFFICULT TIMES OF POTENTIAL RECESSION, PEOPLE ARE STILL GOING TO BUY THE THINGS THEY WANT TO BUY.

WHAT WE ARE ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO DO IS BE INTENTIONAL AND LOOK TO SUPPORT LOCAL AND DIVERSE BUSINESSES.

IT WILL BE A DIFFICULT TIME FOR EVERYBODY BIG AND SMALL.

>> IS IT A TIME WHEN THOSE BUSINESSES CAN LEARN TO INNOVATE OR REORIENT WHAT THEY ARE OFFERING.

>> A LOT OF WAYS FOLKS CAN INNOVATE.

OVER THE WEEKEND, WE WERE AT A SUMMIT AND TALKED A LOT ABOUT AI AND WHAT ROLE BACK IN PLAY, ESPECIALLY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.

THAT IS A LEAPFROG OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR BUSINESSES.

BUT I THINK THE BIGGEST THING THAT CAN HAPPEN IS WHETHER YOU ARE BLACK OR BROWN, IF YOU ARE SERIOUS AND COMMITTED AND WANTING TO MAKE A CHANGE, IT IS TO BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT SUPPORTING BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES.

THAT IS WHAT I WOULD SAY IT’S THE BIGGEST THING.

THERE ARE BUSINESSES THAT ARE VERY SMALL, VERY LARGE, IN EVERY CORNER OF OUR ECONOMY.

I THINK THAT FOLKS COULD, RATHER THAN SHIFTING FROM NOT THIS BIG BOX RETAILER, BUT MAYBE ANOTHER ONE, REALLY TAKING THE NEXT STEP AND SACRIFICING CONVENIENCE.

EVEN A LITTLE BIT ON PRICE BUT REALLY SUPPORTING THE WEALTH BUILDING IN A COMMUNITY THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THOSE BUSINESS OWNERS AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY SUPPORT.

>> I WANT TO TOUCH BRIEFLY ON HOW IMMIGRATION FOLDS INTO THIS.

I KNOW A LOT OF BUSINESSES YOU SUPPORT OUR IMMIGRANT OWNED.

THERE’S A LOT OF POLICIES COMING DOWN THAT ARE AFFECTING PEOPLE’S ABILITY TO STAY IN THIS COUNTRY AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMY.

>> WE HAVE A SHORTAGE AS IT IS, THE PERSON SITTING AT THE FACILITY ARE MAJORITY IMMIGRANTS OR U.S.-BORN BUT OF IMMIGRANT DESCENT.

SO THERE IS A CERTAIN FEAR.

IT DOES NOT MATTER WHETHER YOU ARE HERE LEGALLY OR UNDOCUMENTED.

IT IMPACTS THE PSYCHE OF THE COMMUNITY.

THE REALITY IS WE HAVE BUSINESSES THAT HAVE CONTINGENCY PLANS, AND CONCERNS.

ANOTHER REALITY, THEY DON’T HAVE TO BE IMMIGRANT OWNED.

THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY HERE IS EMPLOYED THROUGH ACROSS INDUSTRIES.

IN THIS CONVERSATION WE HAVE WITH THE GOVERNOR, THERE WERE WHITE LEAD TO BUSINESS IS ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT IMMIGRATION.

IT IS NOT JUST A LATINO ISSUE, IMMIGRANT ISSUE, IT IS AN ECONOMIC ISSUE FOR THE COMMON AS A WHOLE.

BECAUSE WE RELY ON IMMIGRANTS TO DO -- TO TAKE THE JOBS AND DO THE WORK THAT WE NEED TO BE DONE HERE.

SO WHEN THERE IS A THREAT TO THEIR LIVELIHOODS AND ABILITY TO REMAIN IN THIS COUNTRY, SNATCHED ON THE STREETS WITHOUT ANY A WARRANT SIGNED BY A JUDGE, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IMPACTS PEOPLE, NOT JUST BEING ABLE TO GO TO WORK, BUT BEING ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE AND MOVE THE ECONOMY.

LIKE WE SAID EARLIER, IT IS A RIPPLE EFFECT.

YOU WORK AND YOU SPEND IN THE MONEY STAYS HERE LOCALLY.

THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY HAPPENING.

WE HEARD FROM CERTAIN BUSINESSES THAT THEY DON’T HAVE AS MUCH FOOT TRAFFIC BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE NOT OUT AS MUCH.

-- NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE UNDOCUMENTED, PEOPLE ARE BEING MORE CONSCIOUS.

>> I’M SURE THIS IS NOT THE TIME WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE ECONOMY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> WHETHER IT WAS GETTING MARRIED ARE MARCHING IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, OR GOING TO FUNERALS, EVERY HAT HAS A STORY BEHIND IT.

>> IT IS CALLED PUTTING ON YOUR SUNDAY BEST.

AND FOR MANY WOMEN, THAT ALWAYS MEANT TOPPING WITH YOUR CROWNING GLORY.

BUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE EASTER HATS?

LET ME START WITH YOU CARLA.

ARE YOU SEEING THE SAME VOLUME OF PEOPLE BUYING HATS FROM YOUR STORES?

>> YES.

PEOPLE LOVE TO GET DRESSED UP.

SO THEY LOVE HATS.

THEY COMPLEMENT THEIR OUTFITS.

>> DOES IT UPTICK AROUND THE RESURRECTION HOLIDAY?

>> YES IT DOES.

AND BECAUSE KENTUCKY DERBY, MOTHER’S DAY, ALL OF THOSE ARE BACK TO BACK.

>> REGINE, DO YOU THINK YOUNGER GENERATIONS ARE WEARING HATS IN THE SAME WAY AS MOTHERS MAY HAVE?

>> PROBABLY NOT.

I’M TECHNICALLY A MILLENNIAL, BUT I KNOW SOME GEN Z, I THINK THEY WEAR HATS AND FOR SOME REASON IT IS PART OF THEIR IDENTITY, PERSONAL AESTHETIC, FASHION AESTHETIC.

I DON’T THINK IT IS WITH THE SAME INTENTION AS MY MOTHER OR MY GRANDMOTHER WOULD HAVE WORN A HAT.

>> WHAT WAS THAT INTENTION?

>> I KNOW FOR MY MOTHER, HER HATS CAME OUT AT SPECIAL OCCASIONS.

WEDDINGS, EASTER, GOING TO CHURCH.

MY VERY FIRST FORMATIVE MEMORY OF HATS IS GOING TO CHURCH ON A SUNDAY AS A SIX-YEAR-OLD AND I REMEMBER SITTING WITH THESE WOMEN WHO I DID NOT KNOW, BUT THEY ALL HAD THEIR HATS ON AND WE WERE SITTING IN FRONT OF THE BAND AT CHURCH.

IN MY MIND, THAT IS STILL VERY MUCH WHAT I THINK OF WHEN I THINK OF HATS.

H. IT IS A SIGN OF RESPECT, LOOKING YOUR BEST.

MAKING SURE NOT ONLY FOR THE OCCASION, BUT ALSO YOU, YOURSELF ARE YOUR BEST VERSION OF YOU.

THAT IS WHAT I REMEMBER AS A YOUNG PERSON.

>> AND YOU ARE WORKING ON AN ENTIRE THEATRICAL PRODUCTION, CROWNS, A MUSICAL ABOUT NOT ONLY THE HATS, BUT THE WOMEN WHO HAVE HISTORICALLY WORN THESE HATS.

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THAT?

>> WITH THIS PARTICULAR MUSICAL, IT IS IN PART BASED ON A GROUP OF PHOTOGRAPHY.

PHOTOGRAPHS OF BLACK WOMEN IN THEIR HATS.

I MAY HAVE JUST PARAPHRASED THAT TITLE.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT ABOUT THE BOOK, THE GORGEOUS PORCHES OF THESE WOMEN ACROSS WEARING THEIR BEST HATS, BUT IT IS THE STORY BEHIND THEM, WHETHER GETTING MARRIED, MARCHING IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT -- EVERY HAT HAS A STORY BEHIND IT.

IT IS ALSO THE MUSICAL ITSELF IS BASED ON THAT BOOK.

IT IS ABOUT THAT SORT OF TRADITION GOING ALL THE WAY BACK TO AFRICA.

NOT JUST SOMETHING THAT SPROUTED UP FOR US IN THE STATES.

IT CAME WITH US TO THE U.S., TO THE NEW WORLD AREA THAT WAS VERY WESTERN OF ME.

TO THE WEST.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE CARRIED ON THROUGH CENTURIES.

WHETHER OR NOT WE REALIZE WHILE WE ARE DOING IT, IT IS PART OF WHO WE ARE AS A PEOPLE IN THE DIASPORA.

>> YOU RBC HAVE A BEAUTIFUL CROWN ON RIGHT NOW.

TELL ME WHAT GOES INTO NOT ONLY YOUR SELECTION OF WHAT KIND OF HAT YOU MAY WEAR ON A GIVEN DAY, BUT WHAT CUSTOMERS YOU WORK WITH, HOW DO YOU HELP THEM CHOOSE THE BEST HAT FOR THEMSELVES?

>> THIS HAT IS CALLED UPLIFTING.

PART OF MY HAT JOURNEY I WAS GOING TO BE A LIFE COACH.

I WANTED MY HATS TO BE NAMED INSPIRATIONAL NAMES.

WHEN YOU WALK INTO MY STORE, YOU WILL HAVE A HAT THAT IS POSITIVE AND ASPIRING.

THE TOP HAT THAT WE HAVE IS SENSATIONAL.

THE TAG IS BE THAT IN A HAT ROUTE I WANT YOU TO BE UPLIFTED WHEN YOU WALK IN THE DOOR.

>> THIS IS ONE OF YOUR HATS AS WELL.

WHAT IS HER NAME?

>> THAT IS JUST A KENTUCKY DERBY HAT READ THE RATABLY ONE IS THE SENSATIONAL.

>> EXCELLENT.

I’M FEELING IT.

>> AND THIS ONE IN PARTICULAR IS FOR THOSE WHO EXPERIENCE ALOPECIA.

THAT IS WHY IT IS UPLIFTING.

I WANT THOSE WHO EXPERIENCE APPELLEE SHIP TO BE.

>> EXCELLENT POINT.

OFTEN WE THINK OF HATS AS AN ADORNMENT.

THEY ARE ALSO SORT OF A PROTECTIVE PIECE.

QUICK’S INTERESTING YOU SAY THAT .

IN THE PLAY, THERE IS A LINE THAT GETS REPEATED ABOUT THESE WOMEN.

MY MOTHER USED TO SAY PUT SOMETHING ON YOUR HEAD.

I IMMEDIATELY WAS LIKE MY MOTHER NEVER WANTED US TO LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT OUR HEAD COVERED.

GROWING UP IN NEW ENGLAND THAT IS STANDARD.

BUT IF IT RAINED, PUT SOMETHING ON YOUR HEAD SO YOU DON’T CATCH A COLD.

AND ALSO JUST ANOTHER WAY OF HAIR IS SO IMPORTANT TO BLACK WOMEN, AND WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE IT OR IT DOES NOT QUITE LOOK RIGHT, IT FEELS LIKE THERE IS SOMETHING MISSING.

OF COURSE THERE ISN’T, BUT I HAT CAN BE A BEAUTIFUL WAY OF CLAIMING THAT PART OF YOURSELF AND THE ASPECT OF YOUR PERSONALITY.

IT CAN BE ARMOR IN THAT WAY, AS WELL.

>> I THINK ABOUT THIS, I DON’T KNOW IF YOU HAVE SEEN THE WIRE, THE HBO SERIES, BUT THERE’S A SCENE IN WHICH ONE OF THE PROMINENT CHARACTERS IS OUT WITH HIS GRANDMOTHER AND UNFORTUNATELY SOMEONE IS SHOOTING AT THEM, AND THEY MISS HIM, BUT THEY HIT THE HAT AND IT BECOMES A HUGE CONTROVERSY BECAUSE THEY ARE LIKE YOU DON’T EVER COME FOR A WOMAN’S CROWN, ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND THANK YOU TO OUR AUDIENCE FOR TUNING IN.

WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT KEEPS YOU ROOTED AND WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT MATTER TO YOU.

CHECK US OUT ON INSTAGRAM AND YOUTUBE AND RIGHT HERE EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT AT 7:30.

FROM ALL OF US HERE, I’M PARIS AUSTIN.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.