Beyond economic Blackouts, Drs. Boyce Watkins & Ric Mathis
On Feb. 28, 2025, an electrifying online discussion took place between financial scholar Dr. Boyce Watkins and filmmaker Dr. Ric Mathis as they unpacked the themes of B1 The Movie, a film dedicated to shifting the Black community toward self-sufficiency, economic empowerment, and unity. The conversation, captured in an exclusive audio recording, laid the foundation for a powerful call to action, one centered on building a “B1 culture” where prioritizing Black interests is not just a trend but a way of life. See Episodes of the film on B1TheExperience.com. Dr. Mathis, an award-winning filmmaker known for tackling issues that impact the Black community, shared his vision for B1 The Movie. He emphasized how media and consumerism shape Black identity and the need for ownership in both spaces. “This film is about more than just awareness, it’s about changing behaviors,” Mathis explained. “We have to create systems that uplift us and stop feeding into the ones that oppress us.”
From economic power to health awareness
The discussion took a deeply personal turn when Mathis opened up about his recent health scare, which inspired his upcoming documentary series, Heartbeat. This new project will delve into the impact of heart disease within the Black community, underscoring the importance of holistic health, Black love, and communal support in the healing process.
“Health is wealth, and without it, all the economic empowerment in the world won’t matter,” Mathis said. “We have to take care of ourselves and each other, mentally, physically, and financially.” The message was clear: a self-sufficient Black community starts with strong individuals who prioritize both their financial well-being and their health.
Strategizing for the upcoming economic blackouts
A major focal point of the discussion was the upcoming economic blackouts, a strategic initiative designed to flex the community’s collective purchasing power. The goal is simple: redirect Black dollars away from corporations that fail to reinvest in Black communities and instead circulate wealth within Black-owned businesses.
Dr. Watkins and Mathis outlined a series of economic actions leading up to the next full-scale blackout:
- Feb. 28 – Full economic blackout (a test run)
- March 7-14 – Amazon Blackout (boycott purchases from Amazon)
- March 21-28 – Nestlé Blackout (boycott Nestlé products)
- April 7-14 – Walmart Blackout (boycott Walmart stores and online shopping)
- April 18 – Full economic blackout (major day of action)
- April 21-27 – General Mills Blackout (boycott General Mills products)
The blackouts are designed to highlight the power of the Black dollar while encouraging long-term support of Black businesses. Dr. Watkins stressed that these initiatives should not be temporary protests but permanent lifestyle changes.
Next steps: Action, education and community support
To keep the momentum going, Mathis and Watkins urged participants to:
- Educate themselves on Black-owned alternatives to the companies being boycotted.
- Spread awareness by using social media to share blackout dates and the importance of economic self-reliance.
- Support Black-owned businesses consistently, not just during boycotts.
- Engage in local and online discussions about wealth-building strategies.
As B1 The Movie continues to gain traction, and with Heartbeat set to shift the narrative on Black health and healing, this conversation was more than just an interview, it was a battle cry for Black empowerment. Both Mathis and Watkins made it clear: real change comes when collective action becomes a way of life.
Stay connected at B1TheExperience.com for more updates on these films, the economic blackouts, and ways to be part of the B1 movement. The time to take action is now.
