“I did my research on Oregon,” Northern said.
He read about the exclusionary laws embedded in Oregon’s state code when it was admitted into the Union in 1859. He learned of the high rates of Ku Klux Klan membership among Oregonians in the early 20th century.
“I’ve had my most egregious, overt, ‘What the heck?’ moments here in Oregon,” he said. “And, once I understood the racial history of Oregon, I understood why Oregon is the way that it is today.”
Since starting his brand, however, Northern said “it’s been all love.” Aside from one anonymous naysayer on social media, he said it’s been humbling to see the outpouring of support — and orders — his brand has gotten since the reemergence of the Black Lives Matter movement this year.
Hopefully, he said, he can grow his brand to the point where he can become a nonprofit, hire more women of color to run the business and finally get back to his original dream of creating green spaces in low-income neighborhoods to “make gardening cool.”
This time last year, Northern said, he maybe sold a few T-shirts or hoodies a week. Last month alone, he made around $30,000.
Professional athletes, rappers, social media influencers and other public figures around the world have reached out to Northern to ask how they can help spread awareness of his brand.
