Meet Sandra Wilson | Single Mother, Pro-Black Activist, Magazine Publisher, CEO, & Influencer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sandra Wilson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sandra, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I am inspired by our ancestors who came before me. Our ancestors in our community fought for what they believed in. Our ancestors were determined to make a change for our community by any means necessary. They were willing and some did die for what they believed in. What they went through trying to give our community a better life is what inspires me.

What should our readers know about your business?
My story is a single mother of four, who has witnessed our community being gun downed in the streets by the police. I knew I wanted to do something for our community, so I started protesting on social media through my pro-black Instagram page. I decided to set up an Instagram page called Black Connections, which would support black businesses, non-profits, and organizations. I wanted our community to have a platform just for us. The reason why I wanted us to have our own platform is that I felt that we needed a place for just black people, black business owners, black organizations, and black events so that we could come together and support one another. This platform was designed solely for the black dollar so that we can unite the community and support black-owned businesses to keep our money within our community. By us building more black-owned businesses and investing in each other, we can turn our small businesses into major corporations; creating more employment opportunities for the people in our community. When we support each other’s businesses we are unstoppable. We can cut down on gun violence and poverty. We can buy lower-income housing, renovate and create affordable housing for our community. We are the change our community needs and it starts with the recycling of the black dollar with black-owned businesses. The time is now for us to support each other and level the playing field. What sets Black Connections apart from other businesses promoting is that we focus only on ourselves. We do not promote anything outside of our community. We do not post a bunch of celebrities. We focus on grassroots businesses. Our celebrations are the grassroots businesses and businesses at our expos. Our page is positive and supportive. I am most proud of the fact that no matter what I stay my course. I am Pro-Black and I have never strayed from my mission of connecting our community with other businesses and organizations. It has not been a walk in the park but I stayed focused and always remembered why I started in the first place. A lot of people that do exactly what I do focus on getting rich quickly. I’m not money driven and that’s another thing that sets me apart from the rest. Two lessons I learned along the way are some people are only your friend as long as they can use you and not all skin folk are kin folk. What I want the world to know about me is I actually care about our progress with our businesses, organizations, non-profits, artists, etc. What I do is from my heart and soul. Black Connections will continue to fight for us by any means necessary. Black Connections is a family. You know the old saying it takes a village? Well, we are that village.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My spots I would take friends & family when they come to town.

Pocahontas Island: The Petersburg Area has an extraordinarily rich African-American Heritage that dates from the earliest English settlers in the 1600s to the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s and beyond. In the 1600s, English colonists sailed up the James and Appomattox rivers, and built settlements alongside Native Americans and brought with them their indentured servants and slaves as laborers. In the late 1700s and 1800s, the area was a hotbed of abolitionist sentiment and home to many of the movement’s leaders. The area’s population of free blacks grew and gained a degree of economic independence. By 1860 Petersburg had one of the largest free African-American populations in Virginia and the nation living and operating businesses on Pocahontas Island.

Maggie L Walker National Historic Site: Maggie Lena Walker devoted her life to civil rights advancement, economic empowerment, and educational opportunities for Jim Crow-era African Americans and women. As a bank president, newspaper editor, and fraternal leader, Walker served as an inspiration of pride and progress. Today, Walker’s home is preserved as a tribute to her enduring legacy of vision, courage, and determination.

Arthur Ashe Monument: The statue is situated on a 16-foot granite pedestal on a traffic island, at the intersection of Monument Avenue and Roseneath Road. The 12-foot tall bronze sculpture depicts Arthur Ashe holding a tennis racket in one hand and books in the other, surrounded by children. The books are raised higher than the tennis racket; this was requested by Ashe himself, as he tended to emphasize education over sports. Ashe’s depiction faces west and the children face east.

Bill Bojangles Robinson Monument & Theater: Bill “Bojangles” Robinson helped to break down barriers in Hollywood in the 1930’s and 1940’s

Ben Wallace Gym: Our mission at Big Ben’s Home Court is to showcase a superior level of both professional and amateur basketball talent the region has to offer while providing an entertaining, safe and family fun atmosphere. Additionally, we continue in our commitment to the core values of supporting youth in the community by providing them with the basketball skills necessary to be successful on the court. We are completely committed to the advancement and success of our programs and each individual who visits the gym.

My favorite places for Food, Sweets, Locs, & Pets
Sugar’s Crab Shack Southern Seafood
LBJ’s Soul Food Fusion at Traditionz Smokehouse
Tipsy Cupcakes RVA
Dreadhead Studio
Diamonds And Dutch Pet Bath & Spa

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to shoutout Moses Minor, CEO of Minor Production. I was at Virginia Union University checking out their center to host my first Black Business Expo. Toward the end of my tour, I noticed a young man standing to my right. He walked up to us and I assumed he was a student trying to speak with our tour guide, so I took a step back so they could speak. He said, you’re the Black Connections lady! I said, yes sir. I was shocked that he even knew who I was. Moses was the first person to notice me in public as the Black Connections lady. He gave me his card and we chatted for a bit. Fast forward a few months I had been screwed over by another business. I reached out to Moses and explained the situation as I was freaking out. Moses offered his servicers and he has been running my website, building our directory, and making all my forms ever since. Black Connections would not be where it is today without Moses. Moses has been a major moving part of Black Connections. I don’t believe in coincidences; everything happens for a reason. I’m so thankful the ancestors made sure Moses and I saw each other that day at VUU.

Website: blackconnectionsllc.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackconnections/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/black-connections-6b0474178/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/blackconnectio2

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackconnections/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIKpou0-Wk03bIV_jPN9JiQ

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@black.connections Google Business: https://g.page/blackconnectionsllc Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/blackconnections/

Image Credits
Black Connections Black Business Expo November 2019 Black Connections Black Business Juneteenth Expo 2021 Black Connections, Lessons Learned By Khalid Karim, & Potomac Garden children July 2021 Black Connections Returning Citizens Show Up & Show Up February 5th, 2022 Author Khalid Karim 2022