Ms. Rebekah Star Livingston is a hero. With her optimism and appreciation for the African American community, she decided to change the community making one shirt at a time. Rebekah, a volunteer teacher, noticed how much African American and Latino students were falling behind in school and wanted to uplift her community and her people. She is the founder of Change the Definition LLC, which is an apparel company that aims to bring positivity and change in the urban communities. Her symbol on her t-shirt design is the “power to the people” fist and poem. This image alone holds significant in the African American community, embracing the theme, “Black is Beautiful”. Rebekah’s goal for her company is to help at-risk youth with their self-esteems and help them see the beauty in their culture, which will hopefully lead to success, happiness, and true freedom. I spoke with Rebekah about her new company, her goals for Change the Definition, and her life-changing trip to Ethiopia.
Lawanda Johnson: Well, I first want to congratulate you on what you are going for the African American community. The children of the new generation need a sense of hope and guidance. So thank you…I want to start with the Change the Definition Apparel Company. Talk more about the start of it and the finishing products.
Rebekah Star Livingston: Thank you! Our children definitely need more guidance and I am glad that I am a part of this social movement. Change The Definition was thought of over a period of about 2 years before we even figured out the name. I was working on a project in which I needed to know the definition of black, the color. And once I looked it up, I was totally offended. It was negative and very descriptive of behaviors instead of the color. After reading words like untrustworthy, filthy, opposite of pure, morbid; I remember thinking, “My friends aren’t like that!” So in conversations, I decided we need to do something to change this perception that has been given to blacks universally, especially in America. I had my friends each give me a word that defines them and had them made into a poem that ‘changes the definition’ of black. Our signature T-shirt is the poem in a ‘power to the people fist’. Our company focuses on how we going to incite change by helping out in our communities. You buy a shirt; you contribute to up to four of the non-profits that we work with this year.
One model wearing the Change the Definition t-shirt.
LJ: Talk more about your trip to Ethiopia. You said it was life-changing- in what way?
RSL: My trip to Ethiopia was definitely the most significant trip I have taken thus far. It helped me to appreciate the freedom that we have here and it lit a fire in me that I don’t think will ever go out! I was moved by the poverty, the lack of food, and lack of education. And with everything the Ethiopian people have going on, they are happy. The death rate is very high, the disease rate is high. So I came home knowing that I needed to get moving so I can help out as many children as soon as possible.
LJ: Did you always want to be in the education field?
RSL: No, I never had any kind of desire to be involved in education until I started volunteering as a teacher’s assistant. This was during a time where the school district was low on money (around 2004) and teachers needed extra help. I really loved
working with the kids that were falling behind. I still volunteer but I have changed the way I teach. I have chosen to work with primarily African-American students at this time and know that I must lead by example. I always treat them with respect and let them know that I am there to make sure they can be whoever they want to be. I tell my girls that they are beautiful and their hair is beautiful and just try to create an environment where they feel confident moving forward.
LJ: I really love your organization. How can we help? What can we do to make a change?
Check out changethedef.com to buy a shirt.
RSL: Thank you for the compliment! I am so happy that CTD had been so well received. Please make sure to order a shirt at Change the Defintion. Each shirt contributes to up to 4 different literacy programs. Tell your friends and family to check out our website and buy at least one shirt. There are several things we all can do to make a difference, volunteer at a local school, mentor a kid, and smile at them. I think it’s all about making our kids feel worthy, feel confident, and loved.
LJ: Where do you see yourself, the students, and Change the Definition in five years?
RSL: In five years my hope is that I continue to grow personally. I will be in a loving relationship with a gentlemen (who he is remains unknown). I hope that all students learn to focus on becoming educated in whatever it is that they love to do. As far as CTD goes, I see us becoming a nationally recognized name. I would like us to have reached around 30-40% of our 1,000,000 children goal. I am planning to start a community reading program locally that helps children and adults learn to read. I just want our focus to continue to be on educating and freeing our people!
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The shirts look really cool!
But a smiling visitor here to share the love (:, btw outstanding design .
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